A client's old trick for dusty power supplies saved me a big headache

I was working on a desktop from 2012 that kept shutting down under load. I figured it was a bad capacitor or a failing power supply. An older guy who runs the repair shop down the street, Frank, told me years ago, 'Willow, before you swap the PSU, blow it out with compressed air and then tap the fan gently with a screwdriver handle while it's running.' I thought it was a bit odd, but I tried it on this stubborn unit. The fan was so gummed up with dust it was barely spinning, causing overheating. A good clean and that little tap got it spinning freely again. The computer has been stable for a week now. It's a simple fix, but one I would have overlooked. What are some other old-school tricks you've picked up that still work on modern gear?

2 comments

2 Comments

ward.piper14d ago

Tap the fan with a screwdriver while it's running" sounds like a great way to get a surprise. That's a real trust fall with old hardware.

the_paul14d ago

Frank's trick works because a stuck fan just needs a nudge sometimes. That gentle tap can free the bearing without hurting anything. It's saved me from swapping good power supplies before.