Like me my computer is getting older, being now 4 years old. I found I could run my Epox motherboard without its onboard fan. {Most reports I've read said it was not necessary.} I have had no problems without it. I have an ATI All-in-Wonder 32 meg Radeon card. I recently found its fan was becoming noisy. Being a relatively low end card by today's standards with only 32 meg, I have gambled and removed its fan as well leaving only the heat sink on the card. So far no problems. Do you think I will be alright or will I have problems later?

What a silly question. Why do you suppose they come with those things attached? Perhaps because they are recommended and/or needed. You are dangerous, but it's your money..... You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users

I wouldn't do it. Quiet fans are pretty inexpensive.

Dangerous huh? What a unpleasant remark to make to someone looking for an honest answer. As I mentioned, the Epox motherboard came with a onboard fan and many people on a forum remarked how it wasn't necessary. As far are replacing the fan, easier said than done. I couldn't find a fan for my Epox motherboard and I doubt I can find one for that ATI card. So with a card 4 years old and a fan not available, was it really that dangerous to try running without the fan. As you can see, my computer is still running. Which I am not trying to be "smart" by saying a person should remove video card fans. They are there for a reason. My logic was perhaps the card doesn't run as hot when not used under normal conditions versus heavy gaming or video compression. Lets give people the benefit of the doubt when they post a question and not insult them by such comments from people like GXI man.

Those fans are there for a reason. Replacements are not impossible to find. Look at the next comment: "I wouldn't do it. Quiet fans are pretty inexpensive" Same message, but accepted better, because you perceived it differently. After reading these boards for a while it is painfully obvious that you cannot always give people the benefit of the doubt. Some people do dangerous and foolhardy things with their equipment due to lack of knowledge or common sense. This is but one example. Deal with it. You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users