Unsolved: How can I check the underneath of a fan in a laptop cooler pad?

[timmoy]

I accidentally clicked a reply as solving my problem, but actually it hasn't yet. So please share your advice. Let me know how to revert the selection of solution.

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I have used this laptop fan cooler pad for almost two years: Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim Ultra-Slim Laptop Cooling Pad with 160mm Fan (R9-NBC-XSLI-GP) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005C31HC0?

Since a month ago, the fan has stopped rotating.

I have opened up its external screen, and I don't find any visible tear and worn with the usb power chord exposed outside.

I want to check what's underneath the fan, but do I need to remove the fan?

How can I remove the fan? The screw-like things under the fan aren't actually screws that my screwdrivers can fit into. I also tried to pull the fan out directly, but it didn't detach and I was afraid of breaking anything and gave up.

I would appreciate your help. Thanks!

 

[robert600]

I can't give much of an answer to 'the screw issue' apart from beg, borrow, steal the proper screwdriver. Some other suggestions though:
Spin the fan by hand a few times to see if it is somehow stuck or in an odd position where the motor magnets can't do their thing,
blow out the usb connectors (maybe bend the pins a little to ensure good contact)
Attach the usb connector to an alternate power supply (many phone chargers for example allow for a usb connector to be plugged into them - just unplug the charging cable and plug in the usb going to the fan).
if you have a multimeter test the wire as close to the fan as possible to see if it is getting 5V when the usb cable is plugged in.
hot-wire 5V to the fan supply wire - as close to the fan as possible - bypassing the usb connector

 

[robert600]

oh - and sometimes these coolers have an on/off switch - if so, I presume it's on? Typically they are very cheap switches - run a jump wire from the in wire to the switch to the out wire.

 

[timmoy]

@robert600

What kind of screwdrivers can fit the screws?

The fan doesn't work with other laptops either.

There is no on/off switch.

I don't have a multimeter right now.

By the way, I wanted to figure out how to comment on your reply on my phone, but accidentally clicked your reply as solving my problem, but actually it hasn't yet. Not sure how to revert the selection.

 

[robert600]

If I'm seeing what i think I'm seeing - those might be rivits not screws so i guess you'd have to drill them out - but then how to re-attach if you get the fan working? I guess glue would do it once lol. The fan looks quite clean so I doubt you'd see much interest on the bottom of it anyway.

If it were me, I'd figure a way to get ~5v dc (maybe 3, 1.5 v batteries attached up or even a 9 v battery (very briefly)) to the fan wire reasonably close to the fan - if the fan runs - you need a new usb connector - if it doesn't, I'd consider the fan toasted.

keep your eyes open for a multimeter - very handy item to have in the toolbox