About to clean the fans on my P170HM3, any tips beforehand?

I have been experiencing some weird vibrating noises with my fans that I suspect are the fans coming a little lose. Since its been almost a year since I bought my laptop, I figured it would be a good time to clean the fans and stuff.

This would be the first time I have attempted this ever. Anyone got some tips, so I dont destroy my computer in the process? specs are in my sig.

Thanks

 

If you're using compressed air, hold the blades so they don't spin when you spray them off.. Maybe use a q-tip to wipe the blades, then a few puffs of air to clear em out. Blast out the heatsinks too. You can spray off pretty much anything once you get in there though, I wouldn't worry too much about breaking something

 

I was unable to remove the heat sink to my gpu, it seems like its pretty much glued to the gpu. The heat sink on my cpu came right off after i took off the screws.

Also I think i pretty much destroyed screw number 7 on my gpu. It is stuck in there tight and my screwdriver obliterated the little X on the screw. Anyone have any suggestions how i would potentially remove the screw??

 

I've always used a torx screwdriver to remove stripped screws. Just press down hard enough to get a grip with the torx, but not hard enough to break any components. You could also try using a larger screwdriver and apply same pressure, and with luck it will create enough a groove to twist out of there. Good luck!

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No need to remove heat sink. To clean just take the fan shrouds off then lift the fans out (they're just held in magnetically). You'll be able to easily access all the dust bunnies and blow the heat sink fins out, without having to go through a repaste.

 

Might as well repaste the gpu also if he took the CPU off. Plus, he should get that messed up screw out of there while he's in there. Not sure if you'll be able to get a replacement locally, might need to ask your reseller for some replacements. If you can't get it out with the above methods, might have to get a reverse drill bit and see if you can drill it out

 

Sometimes it worth to twist it clockwise <> counterclockwise while applying good downward pressure to break it loose. But you dont twist hard enough to strip it.

At this point, small vice-grips with a good bite should work fine. If you can't get a bite, you can file the edges of the screw square to avoid slipping.

... and make sure you clean-up all the shrapnel afterwards! Any loose metal filing and stripped screw fragments could easily (will most likely) cause shorts somewhere.

 

the pliers is definitely the best advice, you don't want to slip while you are pressing down on the screw with a screwdriver.

 

That depends on if he's able to get a grip on it or not..