HP DV5 Excessive fan noise on startup

Hi,

For the past few weeks my DV5 has been behaving oddly when booted up from a cold start. The fan switches on producing an incredibly annoying rattle and squeal that almost sounds as if a bearing has gone in it. It's the same noise you occasionally hear from desktop fans that are clogged with dust and gunk.
It usually lasts for only a few seconds on initial bootup and is all over by the time Vista loads.

However, this laptop spends 95% of its time on my desk in my dorm room, residing on an improvised laptop stand for better cooling. I took it into the shop I bought it from now that I'm home and whilst they were happy to look at it, it just wouldn't replicate what I had been describing to them when they were listening to it. Murphy's law I guess. Anyway, they thought the only way to sort it out would be to leave it with them and they would try it daily till it it reared its head. Not knowing how long it would take to get over its stage fright (and needing some information off it) I declined that offer!

Has anyone noticed similar traits or symptoms in their machines? If so, how did you remedy it? I'm really tempted to pull it apart myself but it is only 7 months old so well within the warranty period that I may put in jeopardy.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Any suspicious noise coming from the fan is always bad news. I've only had mine for a couple weeks and it's hot enough as it is (my fan works fine), and my touchpad is already dead but i don't really care about that as this $5 USB mini-mouse is 10x better.

I'd say, if you have a warranty, use it.

 

well like you said it might be a loose bearing but since it only happens during bootup that means its only when ur fans are running at 100 percent. At boot up the fans run at 100 percent almost like a self test. i think its fine and u dont need the hassle of returning it or whatever

 

Indeed, but if it won't work properly when you will actually need it to work at 100% you'll be in trouble. Mine's at 100% most of the time. With 32C ambient that's no wonder though.

 

Hi, Thanks for the replies. I had another idea to see if I can demonstrate to the local agents what is going on. Does anyone know of a diagnostic program for HP's that is able to crank the fan speed up? I've seen software along these lines for Dells but is it even possible with HP's?

Reason being, if I can crank the fan speed up and get it to show its symptoms then maybe I can get it over its stage fright and take it into the shop to get it looked at.

I have just tried a program called Speedfan that I found after a bit of searching but it doesn't seem to be quite the thing I am after! Are there any other recommended ones?

Cheers!

Paul

 

Speedfan never really worked for anything else than monitoring temperature... Use a stability test program such as Orthos or Intel Burn Test. It will load your CPU to 100% and that fan will crank up in no time.

 

Thanks for that heads up about Intel Burn Test.

I tried that, and it got the CPU up to 100% in no time, with the fans running louder than I've ever heard before.

However, it was a smooth and healthy sound. Completely unlike the rough and distinctly painful rattle that occurs at startup.

I'll maybe try running the program immediately upon startup tomorrow once the machine has had a night to cool down. Perhaps it may also be linked to ambient temperature.

Cheers,

Paul