Posted: 2/9/2005 7:42:28 PM EDT
| Ok, guys I have Dell laptop Inspiron 5150. My fan inside the computer will not stop at all. It comes on and it won't stop until I shut off the computer. I think its slowing down my computer. I sometimes have delays when Iam trying to do something. I am running windowsXP. Please Help! |
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I have a Dell Inspiron and all I can say is that if you have to call tech support choose the business customer service option. If you don't you'll be talking to someone in India. I spent 2 mos. getting a new DVD drive for my laptop from Dell and I have always liked Dell products, but after they sent me the drives for a desktop system twice, I finally wised up. I don't know about your particular problem, but just thought I would offer that tip as it might save you some of the frustration I experienced. |
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Sounds like it is over heating. I had a CLEVO laptop, (CLEVO is an OEM manufacture from Taiwan. Other major comapanies like Gateway, Sager, and Alien-ware all buy from Clevo and then simply slap their names on the finished product.)..... anyways, it used to do this ALL the time. It is a simple matter of cooling. I would bet that you have a desktop grade CPU installed and the laptops cooling is just inadequate. Here are a few things I tried to get mine to run cooler. First, Add artic-silver III heat paste to the cpu. This is a rather hard thing to do, and I would NOT recommend you attempt it unless you know what you are doing. (It might even viod your warrenty, but that didn't stop me!  ) That being said, this option is probably out.Second, check your BIOS settings. Make sure that any ACPI funtions in the BIOS are set to be the most power conservative. This made a big difference with my laptop. Once again, if you don't know what a BIOS is or what it does, then you are better off not trying this one. Third, When all else fails call Dell. I know, I know. I hate calling customer support just like anyone else, but when it is your last option...... well, you've just got to do it. Feel free to msg me if you have any more questions. Good luck!  ETA: I had to edit this to fix all my grammer and spelling! GEEZ, you'd think I was in the third grade! |
| Oh, I also wanted to say that this is why I will never again buy a laptop with really high, desktop grade, specs. A laptop is supposed to be mobile, light, and cool running. If you want a laptop, buy one for these reasons. If you want a computer that can run HL2, FarCry, or any other high end multimedia, then just buy a desktop. You money goes much further, as far as specs go, with a desktop. |
Please dont do this. laptops are usually a pain in the arse to get apart and you'd be lucky to separate the cpu and cooling system without damaging it. Chances are if the fan is running all the time its one of the following: It needs to be running Its dusty and needs cleaned or blown out The temp sensor or fan controller has failed I have an old gateway laptop (given to me) that the fan has failed and wont turn on at all. -Foxxz |
How do I get into my BIOS |
When you first boot up the laptop you usually hit F2 to enter set up, but unless you have messed around with it this probably isn't the cause. The fan may need to be on, especially if you are running it continuoulsy as it eventually just gets hot. Don't mess with your BIOS settings if you don't know what you are doing as bad things can happen if you change the wrong settings. If you can speak with an american customer service rep, DELL has a program where you can ship your laptop in and they will repair it and ship it back to you. It took me months to find out about this as the "indians" denied its existence. If your system is out of warranty DELL customer service won't be much if any help unless you are buying parts. |
| The 5100s and 5150s are notorious for overheating. This is caused by dust building up on the heatsink, virtually defeating any cooling that would otherwise be available. Sounds to me like you have never blown out the vents on your computer. I would suggest getting a can of air or use an air compressor and blow air into your vents until your arms get tired. Then try the computer again and see how it functions. My 5100's fan is usually running at low speed, until it comes time to actually do something, then it sounds like a freakin jet engine. Hope this helps, reference forums.us.dell.com for more info. There are several threads about this over there. |
I finally got around to buying some canned air and it seems to be working just fine. |
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Here's a utility that will display and monitor Dell laptop temps and also let you control fan speed etc. www.diefer.de/i8kfan/index.html You can also get a laptop cooling pad. |