[Kaps]

Background:
Helping a friend out. He has a G4/887 MHz 12" PowerBook. He is an artist and has a studio/shop. This computer stays in his display window running a keynote slideshow. The computer has been there doing this for the past 6 months. Recently he moved the computer just to add some files. Now the fan seems to be going in super mode (very noisy). He didn't do anything out of the ordinary (he didn't install anything, do any upgrades, it didn't fall or get knocked, etc.). It is running 10.4.10. The fan doesn't immediately go on, but it doesn't take so long until it starts up.

What I did:
I did a thorough checkup with TTP and DW. Everything check out OK. I zapped the PRAM. I started up with an external drive (even unmounting the internal drive). Nothing helped. What do I try next? If need be, I can take the computer apart (even these models which is no picnic). I prefer not to, but I can. I even have a similar model with a dead logic board. So if is just a matter of replacing the fan, I can do that. My guess, though, is that it probably not the fan per se,that is probably just a symptom. What do I test next? Where do I go from here?

Thanks!

[JoshuaZ]

Run a program to test the temp of the computer. I would also try changing its orientation to allow more airflow under the computer. Maybe try blowing some compressed air through the vents.

One of my college room mates had the original 12in and that puppy ran HOT from day one. It was surprising how much cooler my 1.33 12in ran compared to his. So while I would worry about it getting hot know that these things always run hot. It could be something as simple as the display case being warmer now than before, or maybe its just doing more processing lately and thus runs hotter.

[ibook_steve]

Have you simply checked Activity Monitor to see if anything new is using a lot of CPU power, thus causing the fan to run?

Steve