Dell Laptop Fan Galway

Lou22

Hiya, just looking for a bit of advice. I've had my inspiron 1521 for a few years now, has served me well and I'm hoping to keep it for another while, but it's overheating quite a bit. I've been getting around it MacGuyver style by propping it up to allow the air to circulate more freely, which is grand now, but will be a pain in the arse when I go back to college.
I know full well that it's probably the 4+ years of dust and fluff in the fan causing this, but kind of doubt my abilities to take it apart and clean it myself. So I've decided that it's time to look for professional help. But I wanted to get some sort of idea of the price of this before I start ringing round for quotes, as I'd hate for someone to hear my girl-voice and decide to add on a few quid (I study IT, but I've no idea of the general cost of repairing stuff, I've always been able to sort myself out in the past)
Can anyone advise me on how much this is likely to cost me? Will anyone actually do it, or will they just advise me to replace the fan altogether? How much would that cost me? And finally, anywhere worth checking in Galway?

Sorry for the waffling!

smileyj1987

http://www.adverts.ie/other-computers/compressed-air-duster-cleaner-spray-can-laptop-pc-computers-printers-photo-copiers-fax-machines/1734417

I would blow the laptop out with this before I would even consider buying a new fan for it . I know alot of people including myself who clean the insides of their PC's with it .

paulgalway

You could loot at this from youtube.

DMReeves

+1 for removing dust, also replace the fan,they are as cheap as chips. there are tutorials on youtube as someone said, but doing it yourself is very rewarding. When using repair shops like laptec (by McSwiggans) or Electronic Partners (eglington street) the charge is mostly the manual labour and not the part which you can get on ebay for cheap.

Lou22

Okay, I was told that to clean the fan on my machine would involve taking the keyboard off, which is what turned me off the idea. I think I'll have to look into it again more thoroughly, thanks for that youtube link! I'll look into the compressed air thing too, should be able to manage that at least!

bonzodog2

A fan on ebay would be between 8 and 15 euro. You need to disassemble more completely than just take off KB. Most of the dust and fluff that collects isn't in the fan itself, but in a part of the heatsink, close to where the warm air comes out. Its like a car radiator, with thin fins the air blows through, when they're all covered with fluff the air can't get through as well.

I'm in Galway, can do it for you cheap if you like and show you how for next time, PM sent with mobile no.

Lou22

Okay, so I guess what I need to know is just how do-able it is? I'd far rather do it myself, and I am coming round to the idea now.

Like, approx. how long would I be looking at, and is there any point at which I could do serious damage?

@bonzodog2, I may be in contact with you yet, thanks!

bonzodog2

Have a look for youtube disassembly videos. If you don't force anything you won't break it. There will be a few small ribbon cables connecting various things to the motherboard, these have a variety of ways of securing the cable into the socket. I have an Inspiron1501, but haven't taken that one apart yet; I have defluffed 2 other laptops recently though, 1 HP and 1 Asus.Making a note of which screw goes where is highly recommended !

I aslo defluffed an Acer recently, which a handy panel on the base to access the fan - good design there Acer!