fan broken , will it overheat?

[Pinkpig]

Hello all,
i just received a old compaq armada 7400 laptop from my freind.
I believe the fan in the computer is broken. Its not turning on when the computer is on.

will the computer overheat this way with a lot of usage?

thanks
Laura

[Target]

It could if in fact the fan is actually broken.... However, fans on laptops don't always turn on when you turn on power to the laptop itself.

Generally they have sensors that turn them on once the CPU or its heatsink has reached a certain temperature. I know on the two I am presently using, the fans don't come on until sometime after I have powered up the laptops and they have been in use for a while. Even then, the fans only run long enough to bring the CPU temperature down to a predetermined level, and then they shut off again.

In order to see if your fan is broken you could stress test the machine, maximizing CPU utilization thereby causing it to heat up purposely, to see if the CPU fan does in fact turn on or not.

[Pinkpig]

How can i stress test my computer? i have slackware 9 running on the machine.
what app can i use for linux?

thanks
L

[Target]

Gonna need some assistance from those with experience using Linux.......


^bump^

[phenious]

I think you could run a DC project for a bit. Check the Distributed Computing forum in the community section of this forum.

[mytfastss]

Most fans should Momentarly Come on when the Unit is Powered on. Check to see if this Occurrs.

To Answer your Question though::::yes, you Can Fry the CPU if the fan(s) do not come on.. Us Caution when Stressing the CPU for that test....If it gets to hot, you may not have a laptop left to work with! Good luck.....