Emergency

[cleolinda]

Okay, someone tell me what this means, or rather, what to do about it:

I boot up the computer, it says "CPU fan failure."

I boot it up again, and it says "Previous fan failure. System battery is low."

Is there some (relatively) easy replacement for both of these, or do I need to start selling kidneys pricing new computers?


ETA: It's a desktop. Yes, given that this is a possible overheating issue, I am treating this like an emergency.

Comments

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

Everyone else told you the right things to do. Listen to them. Don't worry too much about electrocution when opening up the machine while running, because the power supply reduces things to a level that's rarely dangerous. The actual thing to worry about when opening a computer is static, so don't wear static-y clothing, or stand on thick carpets, etc. Try to ground yourself on something before making any modifications. Light switches and pipes and anything else that usually gives you a shock in winter when you touch it is good for grounding. The computer is more scared of you than you are of it. Behave accordingly.

[telepresence.livejournal.com]

Just to clarify, opening a running computer is not so great, I'd shut it down before futzing with the case. But once it's open you can start it up and check the fan performance. Then, if you need to actually replace or unhook anything, shut down power again (I'd also unplug the machine, some motherboards will hold a standby charge for various obscure functions).

And while you really can't get electrocuted from the innards of a PC, the interior of the power supply box itself is wicked dangerous, so don't stick any screwdrivers or suchlike inside that box's vents, even with the power off.

[particle-person.livejournal.com]

Yeah, first shut down, then open case, then run to test fan, then switch off and carry on. Making sure all the fans can spin freely (by twirling them with my finger while off) would be the first thing I'd do. The second would be to vacuum up the dust inside.

And while you really can't get electrocuted from the innards of a PC, the interior of the power supply box itself is wicked dangerous, so don't stick any screwdrivers or suchlike inside that box's vents, even with the power off.

Knowing Cleo, this is not an issue. I'm more afraid that she'll be too timid to do anything herself and pay a lot of money for something that could be done at home with a dust buster, than that she'll do something dumb.

[telepresence.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I only add that whenever the talk is of bad fans, because I know someone who was trying to fix a bad power supply fan, which went poorly. :(

[telepresence.livejournal.com]

But as you say, a CPU fan is pretty harmless and I'd have no reservations about say, my mom futzing with one if she had to.