Is this a temporary workaround for a failed fan?

[stubby]

My CPU fan on my DIMENSION 4200 PC is busted (i'm getting 'previous fan failures' when I boot my machine).

Until I replace the fan, would it be possible, as a workaround, to use a normal powerful fan to blow cool air into the back of my PC?

Would it have the same effect as an internal fan or would I be damaging my PC by using it still?

[mattkenn_4545]

What fan is dead? if it is the cpu fan your risking killing the processor and/or having it throttle like crazy and you'll get crappy performance. Why dont you see what size fan is dead run down to the nearest computer show and get a replacement?

[stubby]

cause my computer is still under Warranty. I won't need to pay given DELL will fix.

Problem is DELL may take some time.

Anyway, provided my CPU temperature is below say 60 degrees celcius is it safe to use?

[Riptide]

Sixty C or lower is probably fine. Assuming you can tell... What are you using to monitor the temps with?

IMO though it might not be a bad idea to just shut it off and be patient until the part gets there. I'd hate to see anything happen and it's never a real good idea to run a modern CPU w/o a fan. IMO the best compromise would be to open the case up entirely and get a good fan to blow air directly at the CPU/heat sink.