One of the two small fans on the top of my computer case has stopped working. Does the top of a case open up to replace these or is everything done through the side panel, or does it depend on the case?

Also, is this just a certain type of fan or can the fan be different based on the case or something? (I hope this question makes sense.) I guess I'm asking how do I know what kind of fan to get providing I think I might be able to replace it myself. Are they all the same or will it say a model or something on it?

I haven't looked thoroughly at it as I will need to crawl under my desk to unplug stuff and I'm not ready to do that just yet. I may have to take the computer somewhere so I want to prepare myself for being without it (besides the fact that I can't get under the desk very well anymore ).

It would depend on the case, but all the case fans I've seen have required opening the side panel to access them.


Usually they go by fan size -- 80mm for an older computer case, 120mm for most newer ones. Odd computer cases might need a custom size, but that's pretty rare. Measure your fan. If it's on top of the case, you might be able to get an estimate of size by shining a flashlight down through the top vent, but it depends on the vent and whether you can see into it.


Case fans are pretty much all the same general shape. If you do a search for
case fan
or
computer case fan
at Amazon, you'll find pictures of case fans.

Okay, thank you for the info Jenny100!

And case fans are incredibly cheap. As Jenny says, this all depends on the case, but it would probably require removing the side panel or panels. It may just be the plug that's bad, not the fan. Hard to know. The size of the fan will be what you want to know. My case fan on top is 120mm, but yours may be a different size.

Thanks for the further info Draclvr!

Shoot, shoot, shoot. Now the big fan on the side of my case is acting up and I never did fix the small one on top, nor did I ever clean the computer out which I'm quite sure is a HUGE factor. These are the things I am just no good at dealing with and now that my heat is on I really don't want to be inside my computer (too dry and too much static in my house), and the Holiday season is not when I want to be taking my computer to Best Buy.

I am not looking for any reply here. I am just KICKING myself in the you know what!!

I know the feeling! I neglect my computer dusting out for far too long sometimes too. Only thing I can say is, it's not going to hurt ANYTHING if you open up the side and use a can of compressed air in there. Might save your computer from overheating and dying.

Unfortunately, at my house, and for me, it is just not that simple. If it was, I would do it much more frequently.

If you have temperature monitoring software, or can check your BIOS for your computer temperatures, you can make sure the computer isn't getting too hot. As long as it's not getting too hot, replacing the fans can wait (unless they get so noisy they drive you crazy).

If you want temperature monitoring software, I think the utility I used in my laptop was this
https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Of course you don't have to install anything if you don't mind rebooting into your BIOS and checking the temperature there.

Replacing a computer fan is an easy job and only requires a screwdriver and a new fan. I always keep a couple of 80mm and 120mm fans on hand. I would not ignore them,they are there for a reason. Not a big enough job to take to Best Buy. Unplug computer when doing this job.

Thanks.

I have some kind of temperature monitoring but when I try to use it, it says "a problem caused the program to stop working correctly". It hasn't worked for awhile. I'm pretty sure it's getting too hot because I can feel it burning my legs when I play.

Geo, the problem is with me and my house/set up. It's hard to get to the computer connections (plugs) and I don't have a good place to put it for cleaning, nor do I have good lighting or eyesight. Also, even though a fan may be an easy job, I always end up frustrated just trying to close the case up again, although I am not opposed to trying to install the fans myself if I ever get inside there to clean and check it out.

You might try Speccy to check out your temps.

https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy

I know you have a very difficult situation with where your computer is located etc. But if you ARE having temperature problems and don't do something, you will end up with a dead computer. You don't have to move it if you can get to the inside. Just unplug everything, remove the side and use the compressed air. Yes, I know I said "just!" But I don't want you to end up with no computer at all.

Thank you Draclvr. I WILL force myself to get to it. I cannot remove the side where it is. Anyway, the hardest part will be the unplugging, replugging, and removing & replacing the side. Whenever I do anything down there (under the desk) something in my side cramps and twists up and I am always afraid it will not right itself when I stand back up. Also, I know that it is my fault that this is such a chore for me (for various reasons) which just frustrates and depresses me more. I have sprayed air at the side of my computer a couple of times today. I saw some dust fly out the back of it. That's how bad it is!

The Speccy is showing CPU going between 33 and 43. Motherboard at 28. Graphics 40 to 43. Hard drives at 28 & 29. Are these normal temps? Won't they rise when I'm playing and cannot see what they're doing?

Those temps seem quite normal.

Temperatures can rise with heavy use but all you need do is take a reading after you have played a game for say one hour.

Robert

Thanks Robert. I'll do that.

CPU in upper 40's, maybe in 50's but dropping fast. Graphics in upper 50's. Hard Drives at 33. Motherboard still at 28. This was after playing Quern for about an hour.

Added Speccy info.

Oldbroad, that makes me feel MUCH better! The way you talked, I was afraid of imminent overheating and failure. Whew!! So, nothing urgent. I doubt that anyone can procrastinate any more than me - I'm sitting here 4 months on with components to rebuild my computer into a new case! So, I am a kindred soul with that issue. But you know what you need to do before this does become a catastrophe with your computer!!

Well, the problem is that the fan keeps slowing way down like it's going to stop and I'm afraid to even turn the computer off. If I go missing from Gameboomers for awhile it's because I finally turned it off and am trying to clean it and/or maybe messed something up and it won't come back on.

So, I'm glad that YOU feel much better though because that does make ME feel a little better about it. And FYI, you would definitely lose in a procrastination show down with me.

We won't send out a search party if you go missing for a few days then!

How are temperatures when the fans slow down?
Most modern computers adjust fan speed according to temperature -- when the temperature rises, the fans spin faster, and when the temperature drops, the fans spin slower or stop.

I was going to mention this earlier, but forgot. A big contributor to high temps in a computer is if a desktop is in a confined space. I keep my main computer out in the open next to my desk because of that. I do have one of those slots in my desk for a computer and I keep my old XP in there as it doesn't generate much heat.

The slow down/speed up goes to fast for me to catch the temperature but it just started doing that when it never did before.

The computer is in a confined space, enclosed on 3 sides and me on the 4th often stubbing my toes on it because I do try to keep it as close to the open part as I can. I don't really have room for it anyplace else. This one is in my bedroom where I turned the closet into a computer area. The desk fits like it is built in and will probably need to be broken down with a hammer if I ever tried to get it out of there. It actually worked well back when I got my first computer. My XP is on the kitchen floor next to the table, where it is a little more open but still hard to get at. My Windows 7 Dell was there at the time I bought this computer. (Both computers are on wheelie stands, not directly on the floor, but both are in dust collecting areas.)

What temperatures are considered good or normal range?

It depends on what processor you have, etc.
You can find lists like this online, which list temperatures for different processors
http://www.buildcomputers.net/cpu-temperature.html

Thank you. I'll take a look at that.

EDIT: So my temps really don't look bad. I googled to see about my graphics card too and I guess that also looks okay.

Thank you all for your help and information.

I really do think you're good for now. But if there is ever a way to get it out of that confined space and out into the open in your bedroom, that will help a lot. Even just around the corner from the closet opening would be an improvement.

I was able to catch the temperatures today when the fan was almost stopping. They seem to stay about the same. The fan doesn't stay in that almost stopped mode for very long though, just a few seconds.