Definitely a serious problem and you have my sympathy because the same happened to me several years ago. I think that there should be a way to monitor the cpu fan operation with a little light or something cause if that fragile lousy little thing ever goes out - well - you're cooked for sure. Unlike a good relationship with a sweetheart, cpus can't stand the heat! Best wishes to you, wish I could just reach through the monitor and hand you an extra one. LNB