Easy DIY Steps to Fixing a Noisy Computer

Easy DIY Steps to Fixing a Noisy Computer

Author: Dave C

There's nothing more irritating than a noisy, overheating notebook when one is trying to stay focused on tasks at hand. Listed below are a few simple tips that can hopefully enable you to restore your laptop to function quietly and efficiently.

I don't know about you, but I can't imagine how I'd survive without my laptop. It takes up much less workspace than a desktop PC would, however if I require to use a computer away from home or the workplace, I can simply pick it up and take it with me, enabling me to work on the go . But when I'm trying to concentrate, there's nothing more irritating than the hum of its fan. I am also amazed at just how hot it can become when it's sitting on my lap.
Too much noise and high temperature are typically the notification signs of an inefficient laptop that's wasting power.

Fed up with the racket as I watched the battery level drain quickly before my eyes, I decided to look into what I might figure out to bring my previously reliable machine back to full power and efficiency - and how to make it run more quietly, too.

It turns out that both laptops and desktop PCs can be easily tweaked to run cooler, faster and quieter. Not all the options covered throughout this article are straightforward to implement but, depending on your level of expertise and confidence, you can have a quieter work companion within no time.

How to repair a noisy, overheating laptop
Probably more than likely the culprit for a noisy laptop is going to be its cooling fan. But before you start panicking about the complexity of replacing the fan, there is a easy way to reduce the noise output. The only things you will require are a screwdriver and a can of compressed air.
First of all, ensure that your laptop is turned off. Afterward remove the battery and unplug the AC adaptor. Look for an air vent on the outer edge of the laptop; there should be an access panel on the base nearby. Loosen the panel and remove it. The fan should be directly underneath. This design isn't universal, but nearly all laptops use a similar chassis and internal configuration.

Now it's time to blow out the dust. You may possibly consider doing this outdoors rather than indoors. Blow the fan with small bursts from various angles, blowing most frequently in the direction of the air vent.
If you're using an air compressor, keep the pressure relatively low and don't get too close with the nozzle. You don't want to damage any of the internal components.

Raising your laptop just an inch or so away from your lap or desk can also considerably improve things. Not only will this increase the airflow around the vents on your laptop, which means the fan won't have to work as rigorously and won't be as noisy, it'll additionally prevent whatever lies underneath the laptop from getting hot.

Most laptop cooler stands also allow you move the display closer to eye level and place the keyboard at a more ergonomic angle.
There are many notebook stands accessible in the marketplace and Kensington's Easy Riser Cooling Notebook Stand is a good example. It's suitable for laptops with screens sized from 12 to 17in and it folds flat for easy transportation. The tiltable plastic device features a lip and rubber pads to grip your laptop into place. You can then adjust both the incline of the display and the base - thereby altering the height - to achieve a comfortable viewing position. Note that you will need to use a separate keyboard, however, since the stand doesn't afford a comfortable typing position.
If you don't want to cart around a spare keyboard, or you'd prefer to sit your machine on your lap instead of a desk, Antec's Notebook Cooler 200 is ideal. The device rests on your lap, with the laptop placed on top. It contains a 200mm USB-powered 'Big Boy' fan that runs at either 400 or 600rpm, depending on the amount of cooling required. The Antec isn't a cheap buy, however it's recommended for high-spec laptops.

If you own a mid-range laptop, you'll probably have a preference to shell out less and acquire a less high-tech solution. A high-quality device at this point is the Targus HeatDefence for Laptops This quilted plastic mat is filled with heat-absorbing crystals that liquify as they absorb heat and crystallise as they cool. Be warned that as soon as the crystals liquify under the part of your laptop base that gets hot, the underside of the pad in that location can become pretty warm itself. You can simply turn the mat to move a crystallised part under the hot spot.
The 10mm-thick Targus HeatDefence is suitable for laptops with screen sizes up to 15.4in and is available in red or black. It's easy to fold up and take with you, so expect to be able to spread it out and get to work wherever you may possibly be.

It's not always the fan that is to blame for a noisy laptop however. The hard drive has a number of moving parts that can produce a racket as they spin. Although you can't essentially silence the hard drive, it's worth taking into account that solid-state disk (SSD) drives have no moving parts and are therefore quieter than traditional hard drives.
If you're feeling sure of yourself, exchange your hard drive with an SSD. Alternatively, if you are wishing to upgrade your laptop, it might be worthwhile considering a model that uses an SSD.



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