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