Questions on Removing the Fan Unit from a T42

[joe081484]

Hi,

Last night I started getting the "fan error" message on my t42 and have not been able to boot the system up. I removed all parts need to get the the fan but I know have a few questions before I proceed. If some of these are basic I apologize but I am relatively new to working with the hardware in a laptop and want to be cautious as to not damage anything.

I have a T42 Model # 2373-B09
From IBM's website:
Original description: Based on 2373-3VU: P M 725, 512MB RAM, 60GB 7200rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, IBM 802.11a/b/g wireless(MPCI), Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro


Looking at the part number on the fan: FRU Fan GL 13R2657, it matches what is listed on IBM's website. From reading on this forum I understand that I can order FRU 41W5204 instead.

Is that correct?
If so would the product listed in this auction be the right one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0185201017

Now my other questions relate to removing the old fan assembly.

The pictures in IBM's HMM leave me with a few questions.

First what type of tool should be used to slide underneath the fan assemly to remove it, plastic?

Underneath the rectangle on the long fan assembly there is some black stuff that appears to be holding on that portion of the fan, how do I remove the fan from this portion?

Lastly in which order should I loosen the two areas?

Any reponse will be much appreciated, sorry for the length of the post but I want to make sure I do this right and provide those reading with the most complete picture of my problem as possible.

Moderator edit: Shortened URL to prevent horizontal scrolling

[richk]

Hi: First, that fan is fine. It will have a pink pad, rather than a black one. I usually find that the fan comes off fairly easily (after removing the screws). I usually just use whatever flat thing is closest to my hand and slide it under the space between the CPU and GPU and pry it up, being careful not to put pressure on a component in that area. The black thermal pad will come off with the fan. The whole fan assembly is rigid so it will come up together. Clean off the thermal paste from the CPU with denatured alcohol and apply new thermal compound to the CPU, not the GPU. ( I use Arctic Silver). Note that the fan you are buying probably does not have plastic cover over the GPU thermal pad.

[joe081484]

Thanks for the reply, I was able to get the fan unit off without a problem with your suggestion. Wasn't sure how strong the unit was held on, didnt take much pressure.

My question now is how do I clean / Prepare the CPU unit for the new fan?

I know it was mentioned about to use denatured alcohol, which would work better isopryl or ethanol?

Is there a specific procedure for cleaning CPU?

Sorry for the easy question probably but when dealing with the CPU area I like to be careful.

Thanks Again.

[richk]

Either alcohol is fine. I wouldn't use isopropyl if it's the stuff from the drugstore because it has water in it. The stuff I use is labeled shellac thinner, which is probably methanol or a mixture. Any pure (no water) alcohol would be fine. I use a clean, cotton, lint-free cloth, but if I don't have one near, I have been known to use a paper towel. Dampen the cloth and gently wipe the old grease from the top of the CPU die (the little part in the middle).

[Tim M]

^ You can get 91% isopropyl alcohol from the drugstore, which should be fine.


I recently upgraded the CPU in my T42 (Dothan 1.7 GHz to Dothan 2.0 GHz). It has a long fan with black thermal pad. I noticed that the original thermal paste had gotten very sticky, so I had to use a razor blade (slid in horizontally) to separate the heat sink from the chips. I did not want to use a prying motion as I was afraid the leverage might damage components on the board.

For the GPU, the heatsink, black pad, and metal square underneath (heat spreader?) all came off at once. I've noticed in other threads here, the heat spreader remains attached to the four die surface of the GPU and am not sure if I've done something wrong. I cleaned with alcohol and replaced the thermal compound that was between heat spreader and GPU.

The CPU has good temperatures (<40*C idle, ~80*C under load), but the CPU temp will spike to 95*-105*C when playing a game (Tomb Raider Anniversary), which seems much too hot. It idles at <50*C. The GPU is an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600; I've seen temperatures over 100*C reported but can't find a firm thermal spec for the chip.

Thanks!

[richk]

The black pad is over the GPU and is part of the fan. The CPU uses thermal grease, which should be replaced.

[Tim M]

There was a square metal heat spreader attached to the black thermal pad that was in contact with the four die surfaces of the GPU (with white thermal paste). In essence, the black pad was sandwiched between this heat spreader and the fan heat sink. All this came off in one piece with the fan.

The CPU thermal grease was replaced and the temperature is good (actually a hair better than what I was having with the previous processor). I'm just concerned that my "stress" GPU temps are a bit high and if there was a better thermal management strategy.

[ulrich.von.lich]

Just a quick question:

TO access the fan assembly, do I have to remove the LCD?

[Brad]

I know on the 15" T4x's you just remove the keyboard and the keyboard bezel to access the fan. Just keep track off all the bottom screws.

The 14" maybe slightly different. Check the HMM.

Brad

[frgtn]

It's the same with 14" models - just remove the keyboard by unscrewing several screws at the bottom.

[Johan]

The CPU has good temperatures (<40*C idle, ~80*C under load), but the CPU temp will spike to 95*-105*C when playing a game (Tomb Raider Anniversary), which seems much too hot. It idles at <50*C. The GPU is an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600; I've seen temperatures over 100*C reported but can't find a firm thermal spec for the chip.Thanks!

Tim:

I suggest you consider installing Notebook Hardware Control and use that utility to undervolt your CPU, as this will not mean any loss in performance - but will only decrease the power consumption, and hence reduce heat and extend battery time!

On my T42p (2373-Q1U w/2.1 GHz Dothan) I'm using NHC and the CPU temp. will never exceed approx. 80 deg. C, even if using 100 % CPU for long times. Undervolting the CPU also helps keep the fan either not runnning at all, or running at the lowest speed. About how to use NHC for fan-control, see the above-mentioned thread, the post of Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:46 am.

I highly recommend NHC - it runs stable, it is free and it keeps both heat and fan noise at a minimum.

Best regards,

Johan

[Tim M]

The CPU has good temperatures (<40*C idle, ~80*C under load), but the CPU temp will spike to 95*-105*C when playing a game (Tomb Raider Anniversary), which seems much too hot. It idles at <50*C. The GPU is an ATI Mobility Radeon 9600; I've seen temperatures over 100*C reported but can't find a firm thermal spec for the chip.Thanks!

Tim:

I suggest you consider installing Notebook Hardware Control and use that utility to undervolt your CPU, as this will not mean any loss in performance - but will only decrease the power consumption, and hence reduce heat and extend battery time!

On my T42p (2373-Q1U w/2.1 GHz Dothan) I'm using NHC and the CPU temp. will never exceed approx. 80 deg. C, even if using 100 % CPU for long times. Undervolting the CPU also helps keep the fan either not runnning at all, or running at the lowest speed. About how to use NHC for fan-control, see the above-mentioned thread, the post of Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:46 am.

I highly recommend NHC - it runs stable, it is free and it keeps both heat and fan noise at a minimum.

Best regards,

Johan

Thanks for the tips, Johan. I actually am running NHC and having it manage my fan speeds but haven't experimented with undervolting yet. I'll have to set aside some time after I've gorged myself on turkey.

Overall, the idle and normal use temps for my CPU and GPU are fine; it's just the GPU stress temp that's a bit too high for comfort. I'm starting to think the generic thermal grease I used might not be up to snuff and that it might be time to get some Arctic Silver 5.