FA+
Shop
Warning!
11 years ago
Note: I think my computer is biting it, so I might not be around much for the next month or so. It's been kinda off for a while now, but I've been avoiding getting a new computer because I don't want Windows 8. I really, really, really dislike Windows 8. Just... no. But I guess I'll learn to deal with it if I have to.
So, uh, does anyone have any brand recommendations for computers? I've heard that Lenovo is good, but is there anything better? And no, I am not interested in building my own computer. I tend to kill everything I build, so that's out of the question. I mean, I probably killed a good thousand diodes in Electronics Lab II alone (and that was following specific schematics) so I don't trust myself with more expensive parts.
What's happening is that the laptop makes a grinding... fan-rubbing sort of sound whenever it starts up. It goes away and works find after that, but it tends to pick back up if I do anything that's CPU heavy. It doesn't seem to like it when I visit my familiars on Flight Rising (maybe the HTML5 food doesn't agree with it? XD) and it also tends to run hotter than it should when I'm not doing anything. The grinding sound is coming from near one of the fan vents.
I run noscript and adblock and I don't download anything so I don't think it's a software thing.
So, uh, does anyone have any brand recommendations for computers? I've heard that Lenovo is good, but is there anything better? And no, I am not interested in building my own computer. I tend to kill everything I build, so that's out of the question. I mean, I probably killed a good thousand diodes in Electronics Lab II alone (and that was following specific schematics) so I don't trust myself with more expensive parts.
What's happening is that the laptop makes a grinding... fan-rubbing sort of sound whenever it starts up. It goes away and works find after that, but it tends to pick back up if I do anything that's CPU heavy. It doesn't seem to like it when I visit my familiars on Flight Rising (maybe the HTML5 food doesn't agree with it? XD) and it also tends to run hotter than it should when I'm not doing anything. The grinding sound is coming from near one of the fan vents.
I run noscript and adblock and I don't download anything so I don't think it's a software thing.
How do I clean out the fan? Do I just blow the compressed air into the vent itself? I remember looking at a tutorial that took the computer apart to clean it, but is that necessary?
The only time you'd have to take apart your laptop is if it's really caked-in dust on the fan, but hopefully that's not the case.
Or you could ask a computer savvy friend to give you a hand, they're usually more likely to have the tools needed at hand.
Unfortunately... I'm kind of the tech person in my social circle. >____> It doesn't matter that know what the hell I'm doing
because my friends get angry at me when I tell them "I don't know" because they think I'm making excuses to get out of work.http://www.altex.com/Altex-AMD-Forg.....0-P154584.aspx
And I'd go with ASUS or Lenovo... preferably ASUS. By all means... do NOT get HP, Dell, nor Gateway... for they are the worst brands out there. They tend to overheat and die within a year or two.
Windows 8 isn't THAT bad, (and if you upgrade to 8.1, you get your Start button back! (sort of...)) I didn't like it at first, and the start page and a few other things are still annoying, but I got used to it. You can also get a "classic shell" that you can download (I forgot what the link to it is though) that will supposedly make it act like an older version. I downloaded it..but didn't end up using it, because there was a feature of the new Windows that I actually LIKED...that would go away if I used the classic shell, so I don't know if it's worth it or not.
As for the specific computer, I don't know about good laptops, because I don't have one, but my new desktop is a "CyberpowerPC" and it's pretty good. It's technically a gaming computer, but it'll probably work well for art as well. I just have yet to upgrade my art software, so I'm still running an old version of PS.
I've had good luck with my Lenovo. It's designed for business use, but it works perfectly well around the house. Tough, quiet, reliable.
But if I were in your shoes, and didn't want to get my hands into the guts of a computer, I'd put together a budget and hire a tech-savvy person you trust to build you a new desktop. If a fan on one of those dies, it's a snap to replace.
How much life do you think I'll be able to get out of the thermal management system now? I bought a cooling pad and cleaned the fans - will that extend its life by a lot or is it still simply a matter of time before it dies?
(I guess those huge PS files weren't good for it.)
Oh, and I backed up all my files when I first heard the sound.
Though most of the reason why I'm reluctant to open the laptop is 'cause I don't want to accidentally touch something and kill it with a static charge, or bend a pin or something silly like that. I also don't have any parts aside from a normal screwdriver. If I had the right parts, a good workstation, and clear instructions I would be a lot more willing to fiddle with stuff. As it is now, I have a "if it isn't on fire and starts up, don't mess with it" sort of mentality.
Since the sound is especially noticeable during startup, I'd say it's definitely the bearings in the fan.
I honestly can't say when the fan on the TMS will fail, but I'm confident that its days are numbered. Sorry to be bearer of bad news. You did buy yourself a little extra time by buying a cooling pad. You might buy some more time if you could somehow rig a cooling fan to blow directly into the intake (or suck air from the exhaust, whichever works for your setup).
Most laptop internals aren't meant to be user accessible, and sometimes are sensitive to ESD (static), so you're doing the right thing by not opening it up without the proper precautions in place.
Hope this info helps!
A-6
For a desktop if there is a local computer store that you trust they will probably build a machine for you. Thats usually a cheaper option than name brand, at least in Australia.