Laptop fan issue

[Khamsin]

I'm typing this on my laptop, but don't have long because the fan isn't coming on. I can use it until it gets hot, then I have to close it or it resets itself. Anyone know any ways of jump starting it, or checking laptop fan/temp, etc. or is it time to just take it in and have someone fix it?

I've forced-air-dusted out the vents and such and shook it a few times, to no avail.

[Isiolia]

Depends on the laptop. Some have a diagnostic mode you can enter. Dells, for example, if you hit F12 you get the boot menu, and from there can run basic diagnostics (the full set is only available if you haven't repartitioned the HD or from a CD of course).
There are plenty of utilities to check fan speed/temperature.
Speedfan is very customizable, http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php but doesn't automatically tell you what each fan is (at least in my case). http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php works well for me.

Some BIOSs can show you this information as well. Probably better to check that if you have limited time to d/l and install something.

Not too much you can really do though. Unless it's something simple like the plug being loose, it's gonna need parts replacement. I'd say, if it's under warranty, just get in touch with the manufacturer. If there's a built-in diagnostic, they'll likely have you run it to verify the problem.

[Khamsin]

Where'd be a good place to take my laptop in to have the fan issue fixed? I originally got it at CompUSA 3 years ago, but since they're out of business and its no longer under warranty, that seems a moot point.

Do places like Best Buy and such have service centers that you can just walk in and hand them your laptop to fix for a reasonable price?

[Isiolia]

Best Buy has Geek Squad, which has a service/price list online http://www.geeksquad.com/pricing/default.aspx

Their diagnosis is like $200 though, much less installing anything.

The parts themselves aren't necessarily expensive. If you're inclined, you might try calling the manufacturer of the laptop (assuming it's not Compusa brand, but rather HP/Acer/etc) to see if they'd sell you the part. They may also have a service center you can pay to send it to.

Or just look online. A Google search shows retailers with a good variety of fans, though some are pricey.

Possibly you could then have Geek Squad or whoever actually install the thing, which might save money. Might ask them too, they may be able to just order the part through their channels.

Could also try a local computer shop, but those vary a bit.

Hard for me 'cause I wouldn't ever really consider doing that...as it's sorta my job already XD
Might ask your IT department at work too, if you have one. I wind up working on personal machines occasionally, and I know others who do after-hours work like that (I avoid it, personally, 'cause I don't want calls at home). May depend on the laptop too. None are as easy as desktops, but not all are terrible to work on either. Others I won't even mess with for the most part (Hi2U VAIO).

Definitely try to get a price range before leaving it or sending it anywhere, and hope it's just the fan. A motherboard is probably $500-750, at which point a new laptop would be a far better idea.

[Khamsin]

Others I won't even mess with for the most part (Hi2U VAIO).

It's a Sony VAIO.

If this were a desktop issue, I'd have it disassembled and figured out what I need to replace already, but I know nothing about laptops.

I don't even know the exact problem, just that I can turn on my laptop for about 5-10 minutes until it gets hot (because the fan won't come on), then I close it and let it rest until it cools off. Whether its because the fan doesn't work, or the mechanism that tells the fan that it needs to kick in isn't working, I don't know.

[Isiolia]

Main difficulty in working on laptops is that so many of the parts are integrated into the motherboard. 'course, it does make things simpler, albeit a lot more expensive in most cases. Most likely, if it's not the fan, it'll be cost prohibitive to fix. If you haven't, Google your particular model and the problem you're having. If it's a common issue, there will likely be directions on fixing it.

VAIOs, in my experience, tend to be difficult just to take apart. Might depend on the series though. Last one I saw was brought over from another office because their IT guy had no idea how to open it. I poked around and didn't see exactly how to do it either. Might be able to find some take-apart directions online though. Or maybe yours is more straightforward, a la Dell.

[Khamsin]

Thanks, I ended up deciding to take it in to Geek Squad, but the guy there told me they didn't have parts for it on hand and would probably ship it out to get repaired, which might take a couple weeks. So he recommended a local laptop repair shop, and I took it there. At least their pricing scheme is cheaper than Geek Squad, and they claimed to have parts on hand and estimated around 3 days for repair.