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lapd
Starting Member
10 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2009 : 20:46:01
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My P5020's CPU fan is making horrible noises. I think it's a matter of time before it completely croaks. Once the BIOS even flashed an error message saying something to the effect the thermal sensor was not working.
Here's my question: Has anyone tried replacing the fan? What was involved? Where did you get the replacement fan?
My P has served me well for the last 5+ years and I'm not ready to part with it yet despite all the temptations out there (read: Atom based netbooks) One reason I'd like to keep it a bit longer is its high rez screen (1280x768) that none of the current netbooks can match.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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shinsen
Starting Member
Philippines
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 02:58:17
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Mine also died a year ago. I was able to send it to Fujitsu for repairs and it was done in a day or two. However, that's $100 gone :(
http://shinsenelite.com/[/B] |
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shinsen
Starting Member
Philippines
2 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 03:02:03
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oh, by the way. Apparently, the Fujitsu repairman hinted that the fan is the same fan as some models. Have to verify, though. I still have the defective fan here, somewhere. Good Luck!
http://shinsenelite.com/ |
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lapd
Starting Member
10 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2009 : 07:53:43
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I could no longer stand the noise, and opened up the small cover at the bottom of the notebook just to have a look-see.
What I found was that the CPU fan was actually loose and presumably got dislocated from the CPU. I took a piece of foam and wedged it between the top of the fan (which is located next to the Wi-Fi card on the P5020D model and only partially visible) and the case so it would make contact with the CPU. Now the fan only spins at full spin at power up and never makes a noise again. Nirvana!
What I think happened was this: The heatsink compound/gook dried up after years of use and the heatsink/fan assembly got dislocated. Since the CPU now had no direct contact with the HSF, the temperature control logic in the BIOS spun the fan to full blast in an attempt to bring the temperature down. Since the fan was hanging loose, it was making quite a racket.
Hope this helps anyone who has a similar problem.
Maybe now I can get another 5 years of service from this trusty P!
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tmt
Advanced Member
2723 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2009 : 08:31:37
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Maybe. The CPU is actually on the other side of the motherboard, below the keyboard. There's a heat plate screwed to it that wraps around the motherboard, and the fan is attached to that, on the underside.
I bet the dislocated fan was not spinning properly, and the BIOS was simply hunting for sanity from its rpm signal. Of course, since the blades were hitting stuff, that wasn't going to happen, and it just made a racket. You fixed that part.
Did you find any screws kicking around inside the case? I'm pretty sure there are a couple that hold the fan cage to the heat plate. I'd be worried that they'll touch the motherboard if they're still loose. But, it's a big job to get the MB out to get in there, maybe leave well-enough alone!
Top of MB, CPU under plate: http://www.gtba.net/lifebook/images/DSC03023.jpg Bottom of MB, with fan: http://www.gtba.net/lifebook/images/DSC03029.jpg Photos from: http://www.gtba.net/lifebook/visible/P5000.htm
Tom. |
Edited by - tmt on 05/01/2009 08:33:40 |
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aaron28
Starting Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2010 : 18:31:28
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Replacing a fan can be quite irritating. The fan itself is a relatively inexpensive part. However, the cost comes in the work it takes to replace it. I would recommend getting somebody to do it for you because it can be annoyingly frustrating. |
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