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    Dell Inspirion 640m Fan

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by hailing, Jun 30, 2006.

  1. hailing

    hailing Newbie

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    Hey - just got my Inspiron 640m, after getting rid of all the junkware, it's a fantastic machine!

    One question however - this may sound rather silly, but it's my first laptop. Is there supposed to be a fan noise constantly from startup? I mean, it's not blowing air (that happens only when the laptop is really warm) but there's definately a slight fan noise.

    Is this to be expected?

    Cheers!
    Jonathan
     
    hailing, Jun 30, 2006
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  2. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

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    When you first boot up. The computer checks out all its parts, it will run the fans at full blast for a few seconds at start-up. It's perfectly normal.

    How loud is a the fan afterward? Does it slow down?
     
    Metamorphical, Jun 30, 2006
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  3. hailing

    hailing Newbie

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    Its not any louder at startup than later - it's a very soft noise, only audiable in a quiet room, but it's constant.
     
    hailing, Jun 30, 2006
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  4. hailing

    hailing Newbie

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    Basically, the fan is in operation, but it's at a very low RPM. There no air coming out of the vents.
     
    hailing, Jun 30, 2006
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  5. hailing

    hailing Newbie

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    Update: Ran the Dell Diagnostic Tool, and it turns out it's the HDD making the noise; when i tell it to stop, the noise goes.

    Hmm, is this cause for concern?
     
    hailing, Jun 30, 2006
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  6. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

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    How loud is the sound, and can you describe it in detail? Does it happen at any other time besides startup?
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Jul 1, 2006
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  7. hailing

    hailing Newbie

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    It occurs all the time - it never stops. It's a very soft fan-like noise, like the sound of flowing air - not unhealthy sounding. When I went to the diagnostic tools, and configured it to stop the HDD, the noise stopped. I have a 5200RPM drive.
     
    hailing, Jul 1, 2006
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