The cooling fan screeches during start-up due to low temperature. After a while it runs silently when it switches on. I would like to replace the fan. Where can I get the correct replacement fan and how do I replace it? [email protected] (presently in Germany)

From a quick search just now, (Acer Aspire 5600 processor fan), here is one example,

http://www.laptopcpufan.com/acer-aspire-5600-laptop-cpu-cooling-fan-p-35.html

Here is a link to a free Service Manual for the Acer Aspire 5600 series of Notebook PC's,
(Of which the Acer Aspire 5601WLMi Notebook PC is one of the series),

http://www.tim.id.au/blog/tims-laptop-service-manuals/#toc-acer

In the 'paragraph' that begins with Aspire 1200, go down to the 8th line.
Left-click on - 5600

This is a PDF file. The computer you are using now has Adobe Reader on it, which uses PDF files.
[ I don't know what version it is, but if it isn't Adobe Reader X {10} I would recommend going to Adobe Reader Support, and downloading it,

http://www.adobe.com/support/reader/

Left-click on the Get Adobe Reader, in the small rectangle under the heading Download.
(Has a white Adobe Reader icon, in the red square to the left of, Get Adobe Reader ]

After you click on the file name (5600), it may take up to 30 seconds before you will see the first page come up. (Sometimes a little longer)
It may also take additional time for the file to fully download.

You can save this PDF service manual to your computer.
This way you won't have to download it again, and can burn it off to a CD for safekeeping.
(You can also delete it from your computer after saving it to a CD, and save harddrive space)

If you do not know how, and would like to, please post in a Comment.

BEFORE you begin replacing:

1) Observe Anti-Static Precautions

Your body carries Static electricity. Static WILL fry out (Short Circuit) the delicate hardware components inside a computer.
Buy, and wear an ESD wrist strap, connect it's alligator clip to a good ground source.

{Electro Static Discharge.
I connect to an unpainted surface, of the metal frame of an open, empty desktop computer case.
You may not have such an animal available. Place a large metallic object up on your workbench, (Table), and connect to it. A large metal serving tray, or large metallic knickknack.

If the table has metal legs connect to one of them. (Unpainted surface, remember)
DO NOT work on a bed, couch, or directly on a carpet floor. These are HIGH areas of Static electricity.

Example of an ESD wrist strap,

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103245


2) Use a multi-compartment container for the various screws you will remove.
Label each compartment for the area the screw/s come out of.

If a multi-compartment container is not available, (Weekly pill dispenser/container?), use a clean egg carton as a substitute.
Label each egg holder.

Some screws look VERY similar to other screws. DO NOT mix them up.


3) Make a record during disassembling.
It's nice to have a personal record to refer back to in case you are interrupted.

It's also nice to have a personal record to use along with a service manual.
Make sure your notes are legible so you can read them later. Don't get in a hurry.
Make notes, and drawings, and/or use a digital, or video camera.

{Remember to tilt the motherboard when reinstalling. The I/O ports go down into the case first, then set the motherboard down in flat}

While you're in there, use Q-tips, a small soft brush, (Makeup brush?), and a can, or two of compressed air for computers, and clean that baby out.
Pay special attention to the Heatsink, and Fan Assembly.

Note*
The top of the Processor, and the matching flat plate on the Cooling Tube, have thermal paste in-between them.
Same with the top of the GPU, and it's matching flat cooling tube plate.

After time thermal paste dries up. It loses it's conductivity properties then.
If a laptop has been constantly overheating, it may behoove you to replace the thermal paste.

For proper procedures in performing this, post in a Comment.


To explain GPU:
Graphics Processing Unit. The graphics 'engine'.
A Chipset,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_Processing_Unit

Chip and Chipset are slang terms to denote I.C.
Integrated Circuit,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_circuit

This is an article on disassembling an Acer Aspire 5610z Notebook PC.
Using it to show the cooling system for your Aspire 5601, which if memory serves is the same, or very close to the same,

http://www.insidemylaptop.com/disassemble-acer-aspire-5610z-laptop/

Scroll down to Step 7.
The silver looking D shape, and the black fan is the Fan Assembly.
The silver looking D shape is the Fan Shroud.

The slightly flattened curved copper tube is the Cooling Tube.
(The sealed copper Cooling Tube is filled with Nitrogen)

At the top of the Fan Shroud, and where the copper Cooling Tube connects, is the copper, finned Heatsink.
It is barely visible in this photo.

Coming down the curved shape of the copper Cooling Tube is a flat plate. It has an aluminum X on it.
The Processor sits under this plate.

Further down at the end of the Cooling Tube is a small square copper plate.
The GPU sits under this plate.

Air is drawn into the Fan Assembly from the bottom of the laptop.
The air then flows into the copper, finned Heatsink.

Heat is absorbed by the flat plate sitting on top of the Processor's case, and the top of the GPU, and is absorbed by the Cooling Tube.
Heat is then transferred by the Cooling Tube up to the Heatsink.

The fins of the Heatsink radiate the heat away.
The air flow from the Fan Assembly helps to carry heat away from the fins.

It could be that the quality of the fan's bearings in the Fan Assembly, were below par from the factory.
It could be also that the laptop has been dirty inside for quite a while, and this led to the demise of the fan's bearings.

Laptops need to be cleaned inside on a regular basis as needed.
Depends on the environment they are in as to how often.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette