Is it time to clean that laptop fan?

I really value this site for the useful info provided, and hope I can give back. My children use their laptops in their bedrooms, making them very prone to dust. Sooner or later (3-5yrs) they will complain that their PC has "gone wrong". What's happened is that it has overheated and cut out. 3 times now I've had to strip down laptops to clean the heat-sink and fan, most recently a 3 year old Samsung R20. If you are prepared to take the risk (of destroying it!), are methodical and have a steady hand, this activity can extend the life of the laptop and save money. I've attached a photo of the heatsink on the R20 once I'd got to it. This is typical - a mat of fine dust that prevents the fan from being effective - if the laptop hasn't cut-out then the symptom is that the fan seems to be running constantly at a noisy high speed. Subscriber fl3 wrote a good description of disassembling an R20 in this forum on Oct 18th 2008 - the thread is now closed but its a must-read if you are considering attempting this task. I would add the following general advice, actions to take BEFORE you start unscrewing anything. But please remember - this is a risky business. I wouldn't do it on a laptop that is still within warranty and you need to be a "handy" individual, used to invading fine mechanisms! No responsibility accepted for destroyed kit etc.etc. :

1. Backup you laptop to an external hard-drive - so if you destroy it, at least you have the data.
2. Clear your work area, you need space to rest the parts you remove as you go, if you have them, lay down some of those silvered component bags.
3. Make sure plenty of light is available where you will work.
4. If you don't have component bags, lay down something soft on your workdesk/bench, so that your shiney laptop case doesn't get scratched.
5. Standby with a piece of stiff card or similar to protect your laptop screen when the lid is detached. These can be replaced (I've had to) but reparing a broken screen is a significant expense that you don't need, even if you DIY.
6. Have some receptacles handy to set-aside the different types of screw that you will remove. Also get a note pad, and as you go, write down where you detached which type of screw from where. I guarantee you won't remember what went where, and if they are not the same, you risk stripping threads by using the wrong screws on rebuild.
7. Have the right tools to hand. I.e. A good set of fine screwdrivers. The wrong screwdriver could strip metal of a screwhead and a tiny metal shard could cause a circuit failure on the motherboard. The R20 has 4 different screw sizes.
8. Think about how you will remove the dust - a domestic vacuum cleaner with a fine nozzle is quickly effective, but be sure anything loose, like the screws, are a long way away - see point 1. "Hobby" vacums can be used but in my experience they are ineffective. Using a soft brush to encourage the dust to loosen while vacuuming can be useful, but keep control of that vacuum!
9. EARTH yourself before you start - static can destroy the chips.
10. Go steadily. Allow 2-4 hours for the whole job, including cleaning and rebuilding.
Hope this helps!

 

That rivals the photos in this post for the Samsung X20.

Your post encourages me to try harder in stripping down the R20 that is sitting at home and giving it a good clean. Is this the thread with the instructions?

John