Dell Inspiron 6400 - Loud fan noise problem

CantGetNoSleep · 06-01-2008 2:17pm #1

When I turn on my Inspiron 6400, there is often a loud fan-like noise as Windows is loading

Thus doesn't happen everytime, but when it does the computer seems to be much slower, it takes much longer for Windows to boot, most of the time leading me to turning off the computer and loading Windows again

Does anyone have any idea what this problem is, or how to rectify it?

majiktripp · 06-01-2008 3:22pm

Are you sure its the fan? Could it be the hard drive making the noise?

CantGetNoSleep · 06-01-2008 3:30pm

No i'm fairly sure the hard drive is at the other side of the laptop than the noise comes from, there was always a different noise when the computer turns on which i'm sure is the hard drive.

It's definately a fan, if you put your hand under the machine when this happens you can feel the air being blown out

CantGetNoSleep · 08-01-2008 3:22pm

Anyone else have any ideas?

Alanstrainor · 08-01-2008 3:34pm

cd/dvd drive spinning up?

majiktripp · 08-01-2008 5:31pm

It could be as you suspect and indeed be the fan itself, if theres a baring gone in the fan it would sound weird, also causing a probable rise in temperature due to it not spinning as fast , which in turn could be slowing the machine down. Have you air dusted the vents on back/side of the laptop where the hot air is expelled? If theres a lot of dust build up it can effect cooling quite badly. Only option is to replace the fan if it is causing the noise.

CantGetNoSleep · 08-01-2008 8:19pm

No it's definately not the dvd drive

I'll try dusting it, but it doesn't happen every time just sometimes, and when I turn it off and back on again straight away it's usually fine, surely if it was overheating it wouldn't work normally after a few seconds?

Silvera · 13-01-2008 8:29pm

I'm currently having the same problem with my 6400?!

It's definetely the fan that comes on as soon as I turn it on?? ....previously this would only happen now-and-again when the laptop was hot (i.e. after an hour's usage or so).

I'm wondering if a virus could be on my laptop causing it to slow down?
Though that shouldnt cause the fan to come on straight away?!!

BostonB · 13-01-2008 9:20pm

While it might be a virus, (I doubt it myself) it could be any CPU intensive application like a anti virus application running a scan on startup which will heat it up. (you don't have that Norton rubbish installed do you?) That said its more likely to be dust, a faulty fan or perhaps a bios setting, or fan setting which is incorrect. Check to see if theres a bios update for this issue. Laptops like a clean every 6 months or so as the dust builds up.

Silvera · 15-01-2008 8:24pm

excuse my ignorance ...what is a bios?

also, whats involved with cleaning a laptop ? internals i persume?
(im a mechanic by trade so should be no problem dismantling/assembly of laptop)

CantGetNoSleep · 20-01-2008 9:00pm

BostonB wrote: »

While it might be a virus, (I doubt it myself) it could be any CPU intensive application like a anti virus application running a scan on startup which will heat it up. (you don't have that Norton rubbish installed do you?) That said its more likely to be dust, a faulty fan or perhaps a bios setting, or fan setting which is incorrect. Check to see if theres a bios update for this issue. Laptops like a clean every 6 months or so as the dust builds up.

I use avg anyway, and this problem is straight away when the computer is turned on so no Windows programs are running yet

FastFullBack · 21-01-2008 9:56am

It could be a build up of dust in the fan, causing the laptop to overheat and thus the need for the fan.

I'm having a similar issue, but not as bad. My fan will go on loud after maybe 30 mins of use. I have an Inspiron 6000 by the way.

I'm planning on opening up the laptop and giving it a clean. Something like this:

http://mechyuda.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Cleaning_fan_dust_from_Inspiron_6000_2007_07_10

listermint · 21-01-2008 10:03am

you could try the Dell site. look up the manuals. they are fantastic and give you a step by step in opening them up and locating components. most models are covered on the site.

like this

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6400/

CantGetNoSleep · 21-01-2008 8:52pm

I'll try that thanks for the replies

BostonB · 22-01-2008 12:02am

If it happens straight away then the laptop doesn't have time to heat up. So i can't be dust and it can't be window related. So it must be a bios setting, or version of the firmware. Or some sensor is stuffed.

Some laptops startup with the fans full on then slow down if not required.

majiktripp · 22-01-2008 7:51am

BostonB wrote: »

If it happens straight away then the laptop doesn't have time to heat up. So i can't be dust and it can't be window related. So it must be a bios setting, or version of the firmware. Or some sensor is stuffed.

Some laptops startup with the fans full on then slow down if not required.

Noticed this with a machine we had recently, the fan on a Dell C521 desktop would goto high (and I mean HIGH) speed the minute it was turned on and would stay at it until shutdown and restarted. Bios update fixed that straight away. Not sure if it applies in this case though but your point is valid.!

Dell Inspiron 6400 - Loud fan noise problem

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