[oldtoot]

I have an HP Windows 7 laptop that has an overheating issue. The unit issues a warning dialog at bootup and warns of the fan being inoperative and then shuts the machine down. You can, of course, overide this and the unit will operate for a period of time before shutting down. Is this a fan issue or a motherboard issue? Is there an inexpensive way to determine this (motherboard or fan)? Thanks in advance.

[Advertisements]

You have to figure out which fan it is, then determine if it is spinning. If dust got in there, it can slow it down. Most likely it is the fan, or the wiring to the fan, but it could also be the motherboard. You can use a nylon tie wrap, if you are careful, to see if it is working correctly. If you slightly put in in the path, it should slow down, but not stop and there should be quite some resistance. You don't want to get the nylon stuck in the fan. The problem is that you might not be able to access the fan without opening it up, at which point it might just be an idea to replace the fan.

[Kemasa]

You have to figure out which fan it is, then determine if it is spinning. If dust got in there, it can slow it down. Most likely it is the fan, or the wiring to the fan, but it could also be the motherboard. You can use a nylon tie wrap, if you are careful, to see if it is working correctly. If you slightly put in in the path, it should slow down, but not stop and there should be quite some resistance. You don't want to get the nylon stuck in the fan. The problem is that you might not be able to access the fan without opening it up, at which point it might just be an idea to replace the fan.