Laptop Problems

[kevior]

Hello all,

First of all, sorry if this is in the wrong section im just not sure what the problem is.

So my old dell has been left derelict for a while now and i'd like to get the old girl going again. Just for some background info its a N5010. So on to the problem. She boots fine and windows runs normally (all be it a little slow) After a few minutes (this time varies) the laptop crashes with no warnings or anything. After taking a good look at everything the only thing that i can see that might be a problem is the cooling fan. It doesn't spin up and just twitches every few seconds. I'm not sure if this is from not being supplied with enough power or if the fan is broken.

So i leave you with these two questions:

If the fan is broken then is it possible to get a replacement or another that would fit?
and
If the fan isn't broken what else would be causing it and how would i be able to fix it?

Thanks chaps

Kev

 

[RamboOC]

The fan probably can't spin up probably because of the dust build up (judging by it trying to spin up every few seconds (twitching).
When the cpu reaches tjmax it underclocks whimch means that it slows down, and if it still cant cool down below tj max it shuts down
You can check the temps with hwtemp.

 

[Wraith]

Remove the battery and run it DC power only, see if that makes a difference.

 

[Davva2004]

First thing is to blast out any dust with an air duster can, see if that helps.

If that's no good, plenty of replacement fans available on a certain well-known auction site... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f....Xdell+n5010+fan&_nkw=dell+n5010+fan&_sacat=0

 

[kevior]

First thing is to blast out any dust with an air duster can, see if that helps.

If that's no good, plenty of replacement fans available on a certain well-known auction site... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f....Xdell+n5010+fan&_nkw=dell+n5010+fan&_sacat=0

The fan probably can't spin up probably because of the dust build up (judging by it trying to spin up every few seconds (twitching).
When the cpu reaches tjmax it underclocks whimch means that it slows down, and if it still cant cool down below tj max it shuts down
You can check the temps with hwtemp.

I opened it up this evening to assess the dust. Not too much. There is a coating on all the blades but nothing major. Im not sure if its just because its a small fan but it is fast to stop spinning after turning it. I'll get the air compressor on it tomorrow and see if that makes a difference. Otherwise i guess i should just try a new fan? Wouldn't be anything software would it?

 

[RamboOC]

I opened it up this evening to assess the dust. Not too much. There is a coating on all the blades but nothing major. Im not sure if its just because its a small fan but it is fast to stop spinning after turning it. I'll get the air compressor on it tomorrow and see if that makes a difference. Otherwise i guess i should just try a new fan? Wouldn't be anything software would it?

Is the fan connector plugged in properly?

 

[kevior]

Is the fan connector plugged in properly?

It is indeed!

First thing is to blast out any dust with an air duster can, see if that helps.

If that's no good, plenty of replacement fans available on a certain well-known auction site... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f....Xdell+n5010+fan&_nkw=dell+n5010+fan&_sacat=0

I've tried blasting out any dust. No luck, still twitching.

 

[barnsley]

Sounds like the fan's motor-magnet thingy is pretty dead or its caught on a cable somehow. Dell laptops do seem to suffer from quality control issues.

 

[kevior]

Sounds like the fan's motor-magnet thingy is pretty dead or its caught on a cable somehow. Dell laptops do seem to suffer from quality control issues.

Yeah i agree, i spun it with my finger and i could feel something resisting the blade from spinning as i spun it round but no cables in the way so it probably is a motor issue. However much i loved this laptop, im never buying Dell again!

This may have also turned into a mini project. Anyone know anything about hackintosh possibilities on this laptop? I've seen some videos claiming that they have done it but not sure.

 

[Thelosouvlakia]

http://i.imgur.com/npSmGpR.jpg?1 I'm using this method, it has brought down the CPU temperatures by 10C

Anyway... If there's a broken fan you should be able to find one online quite easily. I've replaced one on my cousin's lenovo ideapad 350 laptop quite easily.