Computers

*sigh* Computer troubles, again.

I have a Dell Inspiron 1300 laptop. Two or three times already it just shut down and said something about over heating or a blocked vent. I was looking over my computer and noticed the fan doesn't seem to be running. Does that mean it's broken, or is there some setting I can go into to check and see that it's not working...or to set it to run again? Any ideas?

YOW. Get the fan replaced - even buy one on your own, they should be pretty straightforward to install.

Your CPU or possibly HD will FRY otherwise, and then it will be REALLY expensive! I know, because this almost happened to me several years ago.

Try to find an aftermarket fan that will work at Radio Shack/The Source if you have one around. Dell parts are stupidly expensive. The manufacturer's part number is #MD538. There are some on eBay.

Here are a couple of links that might help- they're on the Dell Inspiron:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=46859

Check here also - the correct fan is there, just so you can get an idea on price: http://www.impactcomputers.com/dellp...ssemblies.html

If your laptop is still under warranty don't fiddle with it unless you know exactly what you're doing. Desktop fans are a heck of a lot easier to install than laptop fans.

Yes...if it's under warranty, it's Dell's headache!

It's not, unfortunatly. I'm backing up my computer onto my external harddrive just incase. I'll go look into a new fan today hopefully