If a Fan gets stuck and won't go around because of cat hair or something what's the worst that can happen?

[HumbleFish]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is the worst thing that could happen if a Fan stops in my system for some reason like cat hair?

Thanks for Your help and time.
Love You!
HumbleFish

 

[Slogun]

Depends on such factors as which fan and what components your system is comprised of.
Worst case scenario is your CPU or another component burns out.

 

[imported_Phil]

If your fan stops, the world ends. Death, bombs, guns, rats, shrapnel... you get the idea.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: DopeFiend
If your fan stops, the world ends. Death, bombs, guns, rats, shrapnel... you get the idea.

Oh, yeah, that too, I forgot about that....

 

[Ionizer86]

Seriously though, if it's a case fan, maybe temps will go up 2 to 5 degs, but no biggie. If it's a cpu, it'll throttle down (if it's a p4 or if it's an AMD on a board with such features). Otherwise, it'll get hot, crash, and damage won't be likely to occur.

 

[kayaksurfer]

Depends on whether the cat is still attached!

Seriously, like the others said, something will get too hot and crash your PC, and possibly get damaged.

 

[corkyg]

Worst case scenario - replace the fan and kill the cat. You are then home free.

 

[Jeff7181]

I don't love you too... but... fans are used for cooling, if you take it out, or stop it, it stops cooling and things can overheat and eventually be ruined.

A computer on the floor is a VERY expensive dust buster.

 

[HumbleFish]

Thanks guys for the overwhelming response... I pretty much know about the CPU senerio... Mostly concerned with the case fans... So it's not going to burn out one of those fan headers or anything out on the board?

 

[ZapZilla]

Well, a clogged or stopped power-supply case fan would be very bad as an overheated power supply could then output unstable and damaging voltage.

CPU fan -- a must for modern CPUs

Graphics chip fan -- depends

Power Supply fan -- a must

Other case fans -- nice but not usually needed

 

[Mitzi]

Originally posted by: kayaksurfer
Depends on whether the cat is still attached!

Seriously, like the others said, something will get too hot and crash your PC, and possibly get damaged.

If a Fan gets stuck and won't go around because of cat hair or something what's the worst that can happen?

Depends on whether the cat is still attached!

Hehe, that made me chuckle

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: HumbleFish
Thanks guys for the overwhelming response... I pretty much know about the CPU senerio... Mostly concerned with the case fans... So it's not going to burn out one of those fan headers or anything out on the board?

It could... a spinning motor creates counter electromotive force, which increases the electrical resistance and reduces the current draw during operation, when you physically stop the motor, it draws more current because there's no counter electromotive force.

 

[imported_Phil]

It could... a spinning motor creates counter electromotive force, which increases the electrical resistance and reduces the current draw during operation, when you physically stop the motor, it draws more current because there's no counter electromotive force.

Indeed it does, although I'm unsure if this would cause a big enough problem to actually do any damage. The fact that the fan's stopped and therefore no longer moving air away from the heatsink is more of a worry.

Seriously, look at one of three things:

1. Live with it and wait for THE WORLD TO END! Muhahaha....
2. Kill the cat, or stop it from getting inside the PC, whichever floats your boat.
3. Clean the fan, get some filters for your fan grills and keep an eye on it. Your wallet will thank you.

Dopefiend

 

[Redviffer]

I don't think you would have too much to worry about for just case fans, other than increased heat. It wasn't too long ago that there weren't any case fans in most computers, and if you take a look at the OEM's (like Dell), they don't have extra case fans.

If you talking about PS fans, then you WILL have problems, up to and including blowing something and quite possible causing a power bump that will take out several components; motherboard, video card, hard drives, etc.

If you spend a little extra, you can get PS's with 2 fans for added insurance.

 

[HumbleFish]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181


It could... a spinning motor creates counter electromotive force, which increases the electrical resistance and reduces the current draw during operation, when you physically stop the motor, it draws more current because there's no counter electromotive force.

Jeff7181,

That's not quite what I wanted to hear, but it was what I was thinking... I guess I better open up my case and find out which one is dragging and get it freed up with some canned air or something.

Thanks for the help everyone, and Love You!
HumbleFish

 

[InlineFive]

Worst case scenario is your processor or video card dies. Blow them off with some compressed air and get some case filters(the filter on my Chieftec case is a $2 forced air filter from Home Depot and it works wonders. ).

-Por

 

[charlie21]

Shave the cat.

 

[imported_Phil]

Wax the cat.

 

[The Sauce]

Well, you see, what happens is that the fan blade stops moving but then the rest of the computer starts spinning around turning into a viscious projectile and killing everyone in the vicinity. Eventually a tornado can form destroying your town. That is the worst that can happen.

 

[HumbleFish]

Any ideas on how to tell which fan it is that is actually sticking?

 

[thorin]

The fan blades catch but the motor continues to try and drive it, it overheats (or your CPU overheats) your mobo melts and or catches fire itself, your desk catches fire, your house burns down.

The moral of the story: Clean your system regularily and listen carefully to your fans for signs of failure.

Thorin

 

[Paperlantern]

you guys are a riot

 

[sharkeeper]

There's only one thing that comes to mind when cat and fan are mentioned in the same sentence!



Cheers!

 

[imported_Phil]

Ah, you saw the Nokia clip too, huh?

 

[eofeapr]

c'mon Open the case already !! U know you're not gonna be still till you do !!