Help with odd noise on laptop

[anothereyjana]

I believe the problem is with the fan. It's making an odd noise, not quite a grinding, not quite a vibrating, it's not too loud, but it is noticeable (to me, at least).
Here's a picture of what the underside looks like (http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQcOADmFXHxjWQVbfgsfg7hyldkvdgr-BLoWllMri7JB9CwFXd1B0bPjMiB)(not my exact machine, google-d pic), it's a Compaq Presario CQ60. The area in the bottom left is the fan, and the noise is coming from just above it (roughly near where the "ridge" is). The fan itself still works, I can still feel it blowing air out (also, it sounds supicously like the sound my bathroom fan sometimes makes if I leave it on to long...long story about that one). This all started about an hour ago.
If it really is the fan, does it just maybe need to be cleaned or (as I'm fearing) is it going out? And if it is, about how long do you think I might have (since I have a feeling that it's something I'm going to have to save up to fix :faceslap: Anyone have any clue on how much that might be in USD?) before it completely dies?
I just ask because I've never had to get a fan replaced before.

[ajaxsirius]

It could be the hard drive too, its located just above the fan. If the computer is still working while its making the noise i don't think its anything serious. Is it still under warranty? If so, send it in. I have no idea how much a repair boutique would charge you, but its a pretty damn simple job to replace the fan or reset the hard drive if its vibrating. A new fan should cost $7-$10 dollars. So I'd say if they ask $30+ just to replace a fan its rip off.

[anothereyjana]

Unfortunately, it's not still under warranty, I bought it about three years ago (in fact, according to the hp website, it's listed as "discontinued."). After some quick googling, I've found a couple of old threads that say similar stuff (cleaning, fan replacement, ball-bearings in fan out of wack). Other than the noise it's still working just fine, so far.
Thanks for the advice, I was expecting to have to pay a lot more, though I have heard that some places charge as much as $40 just to look at the thing (though I suppose it depends on where you go). From what I hear though, NEVER take it to Best Buy to get it repaired, since pretty much everyone seems to have horror stories about the repair "services" at that place (that they'll often charge you over $100 bucks just to look at the damned thing!).

I also know that the next computer I get will definitely not be an HP. I've had more problems with this thing in the three years I've had it than I did with the entire seven plus years I had my old Toshiba laptop. That thing worked like a charm right up until the moment it finally died; and even then I suspect that it might have died only because I accidentally killed it with Sims 2, by trying to run it on a computer that apparently couldn't handle it (I got flashing red walls and the game moved incredibly slow or would crash, and with basically no CC).

Sorry if I seem rant-ish, it's just that the frequency with which stuff has gone wrong with this thing is starting to wear on me. Thank you so much for responding so quickly and even being able to give me a good price estimate.