Laptop fan question

[zenthor]

The fan in my IBUYPower cz-17 laptop has stopped working. How universal are they? Mine says 0.36A 12VDX, and is made by T&T, part number b9733L12B-028. I can not find an exact match, but there are some close ones on ebay/google. Is close...good enough? or should I keep looking for EXACT match?
Closest match...and it looks identical...is here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181288410663

Safe to use it?
Thanks!

 

[dma0991]

If its within warranty, send it back to the manufacturer to get it replaced. Laptop parts aren't usually universal, plus the fan you listed is a refurbished unit with no certainty that it is in 100% working condition.

 

[Zardnok]

You need to verify the holes are the same, the plug is the same, and the thickness is the same. Laptops are tightly compacted, so all of these specs must be identical. Changing out the fan in a laptop is also no easy task as most of the time the entire machine must be disassembled. Unplugging and Plugging tiny ribbon cables is a near impossibility for some one with large hands like myself and I keep tweezers on my desk to assist when I have to do it.

Do a youtube search for "cz-17 fan replacement" and watch a video before diving in. You may decide it is not worth the trouble and pay someone to do it!