Several questions about replacement fan and define a term

[Marthe48]

I have been doing some homework, and see that Windows 10 is supposed to update automatically. So I think that if I get the fan replaced on the HP, it'll be usable for some time to come. I looked in the inline manual for the HP I have and there are several fan numbers listed, which depend on other specs. If I turn the HP on, the fan is noisy. Can I turn it on and put it on a cooling pad with a fan long enough to read the specs so I can figure out what fan will fit? I don't want the fan problem to cause more damage to the other parts. Before I take it for repair, I want to have the fan, so I can head off any ordering and shipping delays.

I am going to go ahead and buy a new laptop. I understand most of the specs. I would like to get a laptop with an SD card reader, so I can transfer pictures from digital cameras. What exactly am I looking for? I am looking at this computer, but I don't know if the "Card Reader-Digital Media Card Reader" is what I need?

https://computers.woot.com/offers/hp-probook-645-g1-14-amd-320gb-laptop-1?ref=w_cnt_lnd_cat_pc_2_16

I am thinking of getting the hard drive out of the Dell that dropped on its corner and then retrieving the files I need from it. I found a brand new male to male USB cable. Can I use it to transfer information? cgziggy wrote that I could get an enclosure for the hard drive and then plug it into a USB port. I'll get an enclosure if that's what I need.

February is a busy month for me, lots of birthdays, and I am working on this set of problems as I can. Thank you so much for any advice.

[PSPS]

1. This is what you use to get files off another hard drive

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MVRS38G

[Marthe48]

6. Thanks!

I have been looking at specs for an hour. Taking a break

[ManiacJoe]

9. Very cool.

This is the guts of an enclosure without the metal box around it.

[Kali]

2. actually if you have it pretty cleaned out of dust

you can use it on a cooling pad for quite a while - just make sure the pad's fan(s) are aimed to vents on the laptop - you can even remove battery covers and such to allow more airflow.

if you don't find one with a card reader, external readers are pretty cheap

[Marthe48]

7. Thanks

That is helpful.

I still have a desktop set up which I can use for awhile longer.

[csziggy]

3. Look on the bottom of your HP laptop and find the serial number

Dell has a "ticket number" or something like that that is unique to each laptop. When you contact tech support they can look up the exact specs on each one sold and can tell you the exact fan - if they will.

Start here: https://parts.hp.com/hpparts/Default.aspx?mscssid=

The Cnet page for it does list "Memory Card Reader Yes (SD Card, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)." https://www.cnet.com/products/hp-probook-645-g1-14-a4-4300m-4-gb-ram-320-gb-hdd/

I'd worry that the 4GB RAM would not be enough to run Windows 10, but I have not worked with 10 much so can't be sure.

[Betty88]

4. 8 gigs for win10

it will work with 4 gigs but it will be slow.

[csziggy]

5. That's what I remembered reading

It depends on how the device is used, too - if all you're doing is internet, email, and light use, 4 GB might cut it.

On my old Windows 7 Pro desktop that is mostly used for scanning, Photoshop, printing, and massive data, I have 32 GB, which speeds up Photoshop tremendously. I'm getting a new one soon with Windows 10 Pro and I think the recommendation is still 32 GB, though I may go higher, depending on the prices.

The laptop I took on my last trip had 8 GB and compared to my desktop crawls even though the most demanding program was Lightroom.

[Marthe48]

8. I'm looking at specs

It's been a long time since I learned about computer terms, so refreshing my memory. I have a friend who, as part of her work, orders computers and parts. She said orders/shipping have been snarled, and with coronavirus, she thinks it'll get worse before it gets better.

Thanks for helping me.

[Marthe48]

13. I had to open computer properties on the HP

The Dell info was on the bottom, but HP wasn't.

The new Dell laptop is working fine on 4g RAM. I am only using for entertainment, but even so, it is quick and I am not seeing any holdups.

[csziggy]

14. Excellent. I'm glad you have a working computer now!

I always mean to keep my serial number somewhere handy but never remember to.

[Marthe48]

15. I made a screen shot of the systems page on 2 of the computers

I thought it'd be quicker than looking for the information over and over.

I'm happier now that I have it. I don't want to get lazy and let the rest of my tasks go undone. You are so helpful and I wish I could buy you lunch

[csziggy]

16. I'm just happy to be of help!

Take a local friend to lunch for me.

[Marthe48]

17. :)

I'll let you know what you had lol

[Marthe48]

10. I ordered a Dell Latitude from Woot

After looking almost every day since I posted, I think this has what I want or need, a little more than I wanted to pay, but I haven't bought any devices since my husband passed away. Since it is a Dell and the last two have had hinge problems, I might coat the hinges with glue to extend their lives. <jk>

I can hammer away at my other concerns, try to get a fan and try to retrieve my information.

Thank you for all of the help and advice.

[Marthe48]

11. My new computer came today

I am working on getting it set up. Works nice, lots of memory. It has Cortana installed, so it is quite chatty I have a lot of organizing and consolidating to do.

Thanks again for being so helpful. I love this forum