How to Reduce the Fan Noise on a Toshiba A40

Excessive laptop fan noise is not only annoying, but it can be a symptom of something more serious. In most cases, a noisy fan is an indication of dirt and grime build-up inside the cooling fan. This can be simply fixed by cleaning out the fan. In other cases, it could mean that the fan itself is bad, which means replacing the cooling fan completely. Fixing either problem in your Toshiba Satellite laptop means partially dismantling the computer.

Things You'll Need

• ESD wrist strap
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Can of compressed air
• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Turn off your laptop, unplug the power cable, close the LCD panel and flip the laptop over. Remove the battery pack from the laptop's bottom case. It's important to disable all potential power sources attached to the laptop to avoid electrical shock. Attach an ESD wrist strap to your wrist to discharge any static electricity from your body.

2. Eject the removable PC and SD cards from the side of the laptop's case. Loosen the two, flat-head screws on the hard drive compartment cover located in the upper-right corner of the laptop's bottom side. Remove the cover, and unscrew the two Phillips-head screws from the hard drive assembly. Slide the hard drive out of its compartment, and set it aside.

3. Remove the four, Phillips-head screws from the processor and heat sink compartment cover in the lower-left corner of the laptop's case. Lift the cover off of the laptop and set it aside. Remove the three, Phillips-head screws fastening the heat sink device to the motherboard. This is the large, metal piece sitting directly on top of the processor. Carefully lift the heat sink out of its compartment, and set it aside.

4. Remove the two, Phillips-head screws fastening the DVD drive to the left side of the laptop's case. Grasp the face of the drive, and slide it through the slot in the left side of the laptop. Unscrew the remaining 24 Phillips-head screws from the laptop's bottom side, and place the computer face up.

5. Pull open the display panel as far as possible. Insert a flat-head screwdriver, or similar tool into the right side of the hinge cover. This is the plastic piece situated between the keyboard and display panel assemblies. Carefully pry the cover from the laptop.

6. Unscrew the three, Phillips-head screws from above the top row of keyboard keys. Grasp the top edge of the keyboard, tilt it upward and place the keyboard face down on the palm rest. Unplug the large, black ribbon cable extending from the keyboard's bottom side to the motherboard. Remove the keyboard from the laptop.

7. Locate the RAM module compartment cover revealed by the keyboard assembly. Peel away the plastic cover to reveal the internal RAM modules. Spread apart the retention clips on either side of the visible module. Tilt the RAM module upward at an angle, and slide it out of the motherboard socket. The Toshiba A40 model comes with only one RAM module installed, but if you have a second installed, repeat this procedure to remove the second module.

8. Remove the single, Phillips-head screw from the metal plate on the right side of the laptop. Lift the plate out of the laptop to reveal the wireless Internet card. Peel away the adhesive tape securing the wireless card in place. Unplug the two antenna cables from the card, spread apart the retention clips on each side of the card and slide it out of the laptop's motherboard socket.

9. Unplug all visible cables from the motherboard, while taking note of how and where they are connected. Remove the two, Phillips-head screws from the laptop's top cover. This is the main plastic piece concealing the majority of the motherboard assembly. The display panel and top cover are one piece, and most be removed together. Use a thin, flat-head screwdriver to disengage the retention clips along the outside edge of the top cover. Carefully lift the display panel, and top cover assembly off of the laptop's base.

10. Disconnect the touchpad cable from the bottom edge of the motherboard, and the cooling fan cable from the top edge of the motherboard. Unscrew the motherboard's two retaining Phillips-head screws. Carefully lift the entire motherboard assembly out of the laptop's base enclosure.

11. Locate the two, cooling fans mounted inside the now-vacant base enclosure. Remove the two, Phillips-head screws from each cooling fan, and lift each fan out of the enclosure.

12. Blow the dust and debris from each cooling fan with a can of compressed air. Apply some rubbing alcohol to a clean cotton swab, and wipe down the inside of each fan as thoroughly as possible. Allow five to 10 minutes for the alcohol to dry.

13. Reverse the disassembly procedure to reinstall the fans, and put your laptop back together.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're still experiencing fan noise after cleaning the fans, repeat the disassembly procedure to replace either fan.

• Performing this procedure yourself will void your laptop's warranty.

References

• Tim's Laptop Service Manuals: Toshiba Satellite A40-Series Service Manual
• Toshiba Support: Toshiba Satellite A40 User's Manual