Please help... grinding noise from right FAN

I desperately need some help. I have to work long hours on my thesis in quiet places. This constant grinding kinda sound from my HP zx5000 (CTO) notebook Fan on the right hand side (close to the screen) just doesn't let me work. It seems like someone's drilling a hole into my head.

Please let me know if this problem can be fixed at home/locally/fast as I cannot afford to lose my PC eveb for a day.

appreciate any help/advice...

Thanks.

HP ZX5000 :: P4 2.4G :: 512 MB RAM :: 64 MB ATI 9200 :: 15.4" WXGA TFT WVA 1280 x 800

 

You could

1) clean the fan with an air-blower. Be careful not to overdo it and not damage the fan's blades.

2) if this fails, you could disassemble the laptop and the fan itself. The fan's rotor may be extractable. If you go that far, you could clean and lubricate the fan's internal moving parts, which will almost certainly fix the problem. But this is a high-risk procedure as upon a mistake you may end up ordering a new fan assembly.

I fixed a few deskotop fans similarly. Some of them had difficulty to rotate and produced loud noise. Upon cleaning and lubrication of the internal parts, they worked better than new

 

The fan itself could be loose or the plastic grill may not be ground down correctly (burrs) and the fan may be rubbing up againts them. If there are burrs, try sanding then down with a nail file or something small enough to fit. If there are no burrs, it could be the fan itself. This would require service, unless you open it up yourself. This will of course void your warranty if HP notices anything done incorrectly.

-Vb-

 

I called up HP support and they decided to send me a new fan with instructions to replace it. i am hoping to receive it by tommorrow. When asked if that would void my warranty, they said that since it's a minor modification and that it's easy, the warranty would not go void if i replace the part myself.
All that has been documented by them and I guess that it's important one gets that done before opening up their notebooks!



HP ZX5000 :: P4 2.4G :: 512 MB RAM :: 64 MB ATI 9200 :: 15.4" WXGA TFT WVA 1280 x 800

 

I came to search this forum for a very similar problem: squeaky scratchy noise coming from the back right side (reminds me of someone dragging a needle on a chalkboard...drives me BONKERS@#$@#). My first thought was a fan, so I took that panel off to try to lube them. I gently stopped each of them for just a second, and the noise didn't stop. I dug in further (knowing I could void my warranty, but the noise is THAT irritating), and the sound is coming directly from or under the cpu! My only other guess is if the video card has a fan on it somewhere under there...but it's gotta be something on the keyboard side of the mobo, which is too deep for me to comfortably dig.

So openglgamer, hp recognized this as a problem? I've been afraid to call because I think they're gonna write me off as some crazy lady.

 

Adora: it could be the HD. Go to Control Panel | Power Options and set "Turn off hard disks" to 3 minutes. Once the HD spins down, is the noise still there?

There are diagnostic programs available on most HD manufacturers' websites. Just make sure you don't pick one of the destructive diagnostic options (they'll usually warn you if you try one). But letting the HD spin down is certainly the simplist test.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by brianstretch

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>It is not the hard drive, which is located in the opposite rear corner from where the noise appears to be originating. Well, unless ...
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Were you able to get it resolved? I guess you may be right about the disply adapter fan. Ok.. how do the 2 visible fans work? are they on all the time or is just one of em on all the time (like in my case).

I just haven't gotten the time to send it back. This noise has already driven me crazy... but i can't live w/o the laptop for even a day...

Please let me know if ur problem got solved, please.

Thanks

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by openglgamer

 

ZD8000: I have similar grinding/clicking noise problem on start up from the right fan. It usually stops after after start up until today when the noise came on for a few seconds during the 1st time the fan cycled. I would like to know what lubricant is rec'd for the fan. Thanks.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>
I called and they said I could send it in for repair, but I can't go without mine either. I need to just bite the bullet and send it in, and just HOPE that they can fix it.


<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

[B)] i'm thinkin of staying with a friend who has a PC where i cud back it all up, and then sending this grinder to HP. it'd be nice to have own ext hard drive to back up, anyone know any deals /got a spare?

thanks.

 

I finally decided to send it in tommorrow, well there was another accident and I happened to drop the notebook on the carpet leaving broken strips below the speakers and probably a banged up hard disk!

So, I also told them to look at the fan noise.

ADORA: were you able to pinpoint what exactly was/is the cause of the noise? If so, I'd like to pass on the info to them!

Thanks.

HP ZX5000 :: P4 2.4G :: 512 MB RAM :: 64 MB ATI 9200 :: 15.4" WXGA TFT WVA 1280 x 800

 

Openglgamer: NO! I sent mine in for a few things, too, and it was an absolutely miserable experience. I called in about 1. The a/c pin is loose and the cable wobbles off super easy, 2. the battery is foobar, making problem #1 much worse, and 3. the noise. Fedex came and picked it up from my house the day after I called it in, and I got it back in less than a week. HOWEVER, the only issue they worked on (per the info sheet they send back with the laptop) was the battery...which was better than it was for a bit, but never over about 30 minutes with the lid closed before it would just click off, not hibernate. Power cable not fixed, didn't touch the noise issue...PLUS THE KEYBOARD DIDN"T WORK!!

I sent it back, and this time fedex decided that I must have given the wrong pickup address since it's in california, and my phone number is in texas (I recently moved and haven't changed my cell number). It took a day of phone calls back and forth to fedex and we finally had to reschedule the next day. It took maybe a couple of weeks to get it back this time, and when I got it back the keyboard was fixed, the 'system board' had been replaced, and it said they checked the other things but I still can't leave my laptop unplugged for more than about 5 minutes. I'm dreading having to call them back and send it in a third time.

I gotta say though, the people who work the phones were always super great. One person I even had forward me to her floor manager so that I could compliment the detail she went into making the service order for the second repair so that I hopefully wouldn't have problems again. Too bad their hardware guys are morons.

Hopefully you have better luck than I've had. Keep me updated!

 

Adora:
I got mine back within 2 weeks. I sent it in for a few things too... (under the accidental damage protection plan) the case was damaged due to a recent drop and the NOISE of course.

The noise issue seems to be fixed by changing the HEAT SINK FAN that blows air out of the right side of the laptop. I found a diagnostic program that they used to test that fan, in my recycle bin, when the laptop returned from repair. That program makes that fan run at full speed so you can tell whether it is working fine or not. Let me know if you need it.

They also replaced the system board, mouse-pad, bottom case and some other minor changes. They made a mistake initially by assuming that I only had the regular warranty and after a week of sending in the laptop, gave me an estimate of $298 for the repairs stated above. Then I had to call in to tell them that I purchased the accidental damage protection plan on top of the warranty, so I shouldn't be charged for the repairs, to which they agreed! So after that they probably put it in as a different order and pushed the return date by another week!

Anyway, I am impressed with the results, the notebk look good as new!! just need some scratch remover for the top shell to make it all new! Good luck with your laptop and don't hesitate to send it in, your warranty will expire before you're done thinking!

Regards.

HP ZX5000 :: P4 2.4G :: 512 MB RAM :: 64 MB ATI 9200 :: 15.4" WXGA TFT WVA 1280 x 800