8 replies to this topic

[deconstruction]

I have a late 2010 Macbook Air 11". Last night, noticed a very loud high pitched sound. I wasn't streaming media, but did have several programs running. The sound doesn't seem to emerge unless the processers are working hard (and it's not happening right now), so not sure what else it could be. Take a listen. Is this the sound of a busted fan?

[kneemoe]

I have a late 2010 Macbook Air 11". Last night, noticed a very loud high pitched sound. I wasn't streaming media, but did have several programs running. The sound doesn't seem to emerge unless the processers are working hard (and it's not happening right now), so not sure what else it could be. Take a listen. Is this the sound of a busted fan?

sounds like a fan that's under load (unbalanced and junked up with lint/dust/etc) to me, try blowing it out with some compressed air with the power off and see how it sounds after that.

Edited by kneemoe, 12 April 2012 - 08:36 AM.

[deconstruction]

sounds like a fan that's under load (unbalanced and junked up with lint/dust/etc) to me, try blowing it out with some compressed air with the power off and see how it sounds after that.

Thanks. You mean by removing the lower case and blowing directly onto the exposed fan?

[teddykgb]

i'd just make a genius bar appointment. It's one of the benefits of owning a mac, let them deal with it.

[kneemoe]

Thanks. You mean by removing the lower case and blowing directly onto the exposed fan?

You can try just blowing through the vent, it'll spin up the fan but that usually get most of the junk off if you do a couple good pulses giving it a second to slow down again between shots.

i'd just make a genius bar appointment. It's one of the benefits of owning a mac, let them deal with it.

Or this, if it's still covered.

[deconstruction]

Thanks, guys. It's not covered, so I just ordered a few tools from ifixit and will follow their guide to getting to the fan. HOPE I DON'T DIE.

[teddykgb]

Go to a damn apple store. "Covered" is a very relative term in the apple world, the Genius bar will take a look at it and the guy will tell you if it is going to cost you. If it does, you can go your own route and take a look at it with your iFixit tools. I wouldn't want to just start opening up a Macbook air and voiding my warranty when Apple will do it for you and probably do it better. You may get nothing out of it, but you're only wasting time at that point. You may be surprised by what they do for you.

[NortheasternPJ]

I've yet to go to an Apple Store and have them not fix whatever for free, even way out of warranty. It's 100% worth the time to go down there.

[deconstruction]

All right, all right. I'll take it there!