Computers, screwdrivers and Krazy glue

[Dapper Dan]

My wife called me at work Saturday to inform me that our three year old son had done something disastrous to our new Dell E520 and it was making a horrendous noise. I told her to turn it off and I would see about it when I got home.

When I got there and turned it on, it sounded like a P-47 Thunderbolt on nitromethane! I shut it back off immediately not wanting to risk further damage.

She said while she was on the phone, our son disappeared into the computer room for a few moments, then she heard a thrashing sound. It seems he was able to reach a screwdriver I had in there and as far as she could tell, he stuck it in one of the holes in the front panel.

I suspected a fan problem and took the side off to inspect. sure enough, a piece of fan blade was visible in a front cavity... What a total and complete pain in the rear this thing was to take apart! Took me about two hours total just to figure out how to disassemble it enough to reach the fan housing.

So I finally got the fan out. The missing blade, which had thrown the fan out of balance causing tremendous vibration, had been sheered off fairly clean. I went to the drug store, bought some Krazy glue and glued it back on. Just as a safety, I also used clear tape over the break as added support. Now I have to put it all together again...

My question is, how long do you think the Krazy glue will hold?

[oz]

Wow, a 3 year old computer tech in the house already.

Glad it wasn't any more serious than it was. Krazy glue is pretty strong, so it might go for quite some time. Will the tape throw the fan off balance any, perhaps causing the bearings to go out a bit sooner?

[MikeTbob]

Wow, a 3 year old computer tech in the house already.

Glad it wasn't any more serious than it was. Krazy glue is pretty strong, so it might go for quite some time. Will the tape throw the fan off balance any, perhaps causing the bearings to go out a bit sooner?

That's a very good question ozar, many people would never know it, but having a lawnmower with an unbalance blade will trash the bearings pretty quickly. I'd imagine the same holds true for a semi-precision instrument.

I feel your pain Dapper Dan, but it will only happen once I promise you that!

[oz]

Yep, just to be on the safe side, it might be time to purchase a new fan.

[Dapper Dan]

He got a good talking to, but I didn't punish him. After all he's three and that's what three year olds do. lol... I did far worse when I was that age...

I checked online, and that particular fan assembly is around eight dollars. Since I've been through the process, and pretty much know how to get into it now, I'll just wait till the fan fails and then get a new one.

By the way, I had to take the "radiator" away from the processor to get to the fan. You know the white stuff they put on there? Do I need to put more on it before reassembling or will it be alright like it is?

[fingal]

By the way, I had to take the "radiator" away from the processor to get to the fan. You know the white stuff they put on there? Do I need to put more on it before reassembling or will it be alright like it is?

I think you mean thermal paste? It wouldn't hurt to put some more on there. Apparently the quality of the stuff varies a lot ... You would probably want to buy some of the more expensive paste and use that.

It's ages since I built a box: my fingers are starting to itch for a new project. Completely off-topic, but I discovered that some people have bought up old pinball machines and got them to run with a Linux controller. If only I had the room!

[cayalee]

i wouldnt wait till the fan fails, as your proc can overheat and burn out. it happened to me, not good!

[bigtomrodney]

A regular 80mm or 92mm fan will only cost about $4-5 maximum, and that's a good one. While you're at it get a triple bearing one; they are quieter and last longer.

[Dapper Dan]

I went to the computer store to get a dollop of thermal paste and explained my problem to the owner. He gave me a new fan, but upon examining it, it appeared to be a smaller and less capable than the one I had. I decided to put the old one back in. Reassembling took a lot less time than tearing it apart. So far so good! Just a quiet as before and I'm not detecting any vibration or hum...