Need Laptop Help

[cabinetman]

I'm no geekster, and I don't like taking things apart. This time I have to use the micro screwdrivers from HF (the ones with the yellow tipped handles for slotted, and the red tipped for phillips).

Anyway, the fan on my Gateway laptop is making a whirring noise. It's not constant, but intermittent. So, my question is regarding dismantling the bottom to get to the fan. I noticed that there are one size screws for the major field of the bottom. Then it looks like there are separate panels marked KBD> and BATT that has screws going through the bottom, HDD and Memory with screws going through their own panels.

Do all the screws have to be removed, including the ones through separate panels? I'm thinking that if I can get to the fan and deliver a drop of oil it may quiet down the fan.

I'm concerned that if there is a sequence to what gets removed I may have stuff falling out.

Thanks for any help.
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[Stytooner]

When I had to replace the MB on my Toshiba Satelite, I was able to find step by step instructions on the web with pics. IIRC, they also had other makes and models there.

There were plenty of other sites on Google, but here waas the first result searching "laptop repair instructions."

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/

[cgallery]

Oh, and this is a good time to remind everyone to occasionally use a can of compressed air to blow out their laptop and desktop CPU coolers. A pretty common failure mode we see at the shop is due to an absolutely plugged CPU cooler. Laptops especially can't handle this, and you'll notice that the fan seems to run more than it did in the past, and that the bottom of the machine is noticeably warmer. A few hits with a can of compressed air through any and all vents on the side of the machine will clear them right out.

Obviously do this with the machine off. Using a cable tie to "wedge" the fan so it can't spin too fast and destroy the bearing isn't a bad idea, either.

And while you're at it, cleaning the battery conductors with a toothbrush isn't a bad idea, either.

[poolhound]

Some of the screws on the bottom of a laptop are holding in parts or covers to gain access to upgradeable parts e.g. memory.

Remove the battery first then these removeable plates, lastly the field screws for the bottom. The screws are often the same but NOT always so do make sure you note which goes where.

If you are trying to get rid of a skweeky fan I am not sure wether oil will do the trick as these fans are often totally sealed. I am also not sure I would want drops of oil being distributed around the inside of my laptop by the spinning blade. Check and see how much a new fan is, it shouldent be too much.

[crokett]

cabman, if you have the money I'd take it somewhere and let them do it. They can do in an hr wihat will take you 2. One of my jobs involved repairing laptops and I hated it.