The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    How often should I clean my laptop fans?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Southpaw, Jun 10, 2008.

  1. Southpaw

    Southpaw Only a Little Crazy...

    Reputations:
    1,161
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I wasn't entirely sure where to put this so I thought I would put it here.

    I just got a XPS 1730. I'm being very careful on running it with a Zalman NC2000 all the time and not putting it on soft surfaces.

    How often do you guys think I should pop the back cover off and clean out the fans? Should I just wait until I notice a decrease in cooling ability? I'm sometimes not observant about things like that.
     
    Southpaw, Jun 10, 2008
    #1
  2. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

    Reputations:
    385
    Messages:
    2,662
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Do it once every month or so.
     
    The_Observer, Jun 10, 2008
    #2
  3. jd1010

    jd1010 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    513
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    What would be the best way to clean a notebook? Obviously you get the air spray can. But do you actually open up the notebook?
     
    jd1010, Jun 10, 2008
    #3
  4. Southpaw

    Southpaw Only a Little Crazy...

    Reputations:
    1,161
    Messages:
    187
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I learned about cleaning the fans with my Acer a few months ago.

    I unscrewed the back panel near the exhaust vents and took a wet Q-tip to the fans. I think made sure that no dust was remaining on the fan blades or clogging the actual vent slots.

    After doing that, I noticed a huge decrease in how often my Acer had to turn up the fans on auto. I highly recommend it.

    Also, just make sure you keep track of the screws. It's really not hard; you don't have to be a tech geek to do it.
     
    Southpaw, Jun 10, 2008
    #4
  5. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I just blast it through the vent when ever I get bored.
     
    surfasb, Jun 10, 2008
    #5
  6. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    15,707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    456
    I covered it in my Clevo Guide.

    Last section, about taking care of your gaming notebook. :)
     
    Gophn, Jun 10, 2008
    #6
  7. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

    Reputations:
    3,886
    Messages:
    11,104
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    As often as needed, even monthly if you live in a dust prone area or you move your laptop a lot.
    Once you get the hang of it, it won`t take more than 5-10 mins.
     
    eleron911, Jun 10, 2008
    #7
  8. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    15,707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    456
    yup.

    It used to take me 25-30min to do a thorough cleaning. After two years of doing it, it takes less than 10min. :)
     
    Gophn, Jun 10, 2008
    #8
  9. jaymes85

    jaymes85 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    79
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I also unscrew them and do a proper cleaning every month or two with q-tips and an air can. Air cans are much more effective once the fans are physically removed from the laptop so the dust doesn't just resettle inside the case.
     
    jaymes85, Jun 10, 2008
    #9
  10. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

    Reputations:
    3,886
    Messages:
    11,104
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    Or get an elephant to sneeze on the fans :D

    [​IMG]
     
    eleron911, Jun 10, 2008
    #10
  11. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I wish I had that kind of time on my hands. Well, I could postpone MarioKarts this evening.........

    psyche.
     
    surfasb, Jun 10, 2008
    #11
  12. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

    Reputations:
    4,412
    Messages:
    8,077
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    qyips and rubbing alcohol is my favorite way to clean my laptop. Fortunately my skills at taking my laptop are great, so I can get the whole system apart in 10 minutes.
    I usually just stick a toothpick in the whole, and use my 4hp STIHL BR550 backpack blower to clean all of the fans out. It works like a charm 220mph winds at 530cfm.

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jun 10, 2008
    #12