One of my fan blades snapped off, computer is now shaking violently? - Hardware & Software

I've been using an Antec 900 case for about three years now with no problems up until now. When I woke up this morning I noticed that my top fan was stuck, "That's odd.." I thought to myself, I opened up my case and gave it a little nudge to see if I could get it going again. It did one revolution and got trapped again. Upon further investigation I found that one of the fan blades had snapped off and was actually jamming up the fan itself somehow, so I removed it. The problem now is that my computer is shaking quite violently, I don't think it's enough to waggle anything loose but it's quite noticeable when you put your hand on the case. Short of replacing my case, what can I do to stop this? Or should I just stop worrying and leave it be, and hope that it doesn't cause any damage? Edit: There seems to be a rather noticeable rattling noise coming from the fan now..

Any chance to refit the fan blade? Or even just replace the fan? If it's only 1 fan out of a few (and isn't on any component) then I'm sure your system will run fine with only 1 fan missing. As for the shaking, that's very bad for your hard disks (assuming you're using platter disks, and not SSD).

Can you also see it waggling?

Yes I can see it waggling. I wouldn't mind disabling the fan all together, it's just I'd have no idea how I could do so.. The little configuration switch doesn't have an "off" option. I don't think I could re-fit the blade either, it's quite literally snapped off.

unplug the power cord for the fan. (should be the only wire connected to it).

I'm searching for where the cord plugs into but I can't find it, the cable gets tucked behind the mobo and the I lose it in a mess of other cables

2 things 1.) Learn to keep cables managed cleanly. 2.) Try cutting the wire and placing the end in something non-conductive (Though this is very dangerous as there will still be a current flowing through the wire). Your best bet would seriously be to unplug it. It should only take you a few minutes (probably less) to sort through the wires and then unplug it. And the damage it would save you to other components would be worth it.

Okay so I unplugged the fan but now the two cables that used to connect with it in the cable chain thing won't click together, no matter how hard I press.. Am I missing something? [editline]4th December 2010[/editline] To reiterate, the cable chain is the chain of four pin connectors for all the fans

I'm still not sure what you mean, can you take pictures?

I think he daisy chained his fans using molex connectors and after removing the offending fan, he can't get the other fan plugged back in. Pictures would be helpful though.

[url]http://db.tt/6ERH54M[/url]

Make sure the 4 pins are inline and one is not bent in a different direction, looks like the far one may be slightly bent from that picture. There is no reason that shouldn't fit together unless the connectors are abit bodged.

Sometimes you have to move around the molex pins, as they're not actually held in place inside the plastic casing. Try moving the wires around as you try to insert them.

[QUOTE=Dashiel;26482524][url]http://db.tt/6ERH54M[/url][/QUOTE] WHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY did you do that Also CABLE MANAGEMENT

I really don't care about airflow, so yeah.. And why did I do what? Did I do something wrong? I didn't build this computer, hence my complete ineptitude in this situation. I managed to jiggle the pins back into place, all hooked back up now, thanks chaps. Managed to do a bit of cleaning out while I was at it, so it's all goo'. Guess I'm just going to have to deal with my computer running a bit warmer until I can afford to build a new rig /shrug. Fun fact, when I first turned the computer back on I thought another fan was rattling, turns out it was just my HDD. I've never actually heard it un-muffled before :v:

Well you should care about airflow - More heat for one 2nd If your fans are alwasy on high = shorter life 3rd = more power is needed

I probably should, yes. But I'm really not too miffed. If you're mad about what little cable management I've done you do not want to see the dusty state the computer was in when I opened it up, I'm talking dust bunnies in every corner :v: Been a while since I opened 'er up and she's getting on in years, bless her.

Gah PLEASE TAKE A VACUME TO IT ;(

Isn't that a bad idea..?

No Its good to get the dust out Take a can of air Blow and have the vacume suck up the dust so it stays out

[QUOTE=Dashiel;26482896]Isn't that a bad idea..?[/QUOTE] As long as you hold your fans in place while vacuming and don't let the hoover actually touch any components you should be fine.

You can buy replacement fans on newegg for a few bucks. I bought a 10 pack of 80mm fans for $10 minus shipping once.

If all else fails, try snapping off a blade on the other side of the fan, it'll balance it out and it'll become smooth again. albeit with less efficiency. I hate bumping threads :frown:

[QUOTE=one free man;26494693]If all else fails, try snapping off a blade on the other side of the fan, it'll balance it out and it'll become smooth again. albeit with less efficiency. I hate bumping threads :frown:[/QUOTE] Almost all computer fans have odd numbers of blades, you would have to shave down the two blades opposite of the broken one in question. A far easier and less damaging method would be to get some sticky tack (that sticky blue gum like stuff school teachers use to stick posters and things to walls) and stick a small amount of that to the blade in question and super glue it on so it doesn't fly off. If he still has the part of the blade that broke off, it could be super glued back on, though it would still vibrate from the added weight of the super glue.

[QUOTE=bohb;26498813]Almost all computer fans have odd numbers of blades, you would have to shave down the two blades opposite of the broken one in question. A far easier and less damaging method would be to get some sticky tack (that sticky blue gum like stuff school teachers use to stick posters and things to walls) and stick a small amount of that to the blade in question and super glue it on so it doesn't fly off. If he still has the part of the blade that broke off, it could be super glued back on, though it would still vibrate from the added weight of the super glue.[/QUOTE] All my fan's are 4 or 6 blades

[QUOTE=ineedateam1;26499757]All my fan's are 4 or 6 blades[/QUOTE] You must have some weird fans or aren't counting the blades correctly.

[QUOTE=bohb;26499789]You must have some weird fans or aren't counting the blades correctly.[/QUOTE] oh lawl i must have i have 5 and 7 and 9 fan blades

I had 9 blades originally :v:

Strap it to the floor violently.