On Wed, 19 May 2010 07:59:03 -0700, Darro
wrote:

Hi,

Is there anything I can do to get the electric motor for my favorite
desktop fan to start up properly again?

When I turn on the fan, the motor axle/propeller try to rotate (while
the motor hums), but if they do, it's usually only very slowly and for
just a few moments before they stall completely. However, I can
usually get the propeller rotating steadily at full speed by quickly
rotating it by hand several times right after I switch on the fan.

Thanks in advance for your replies,
Darro

Try blowing out the motor with a can of air. Perhaps there is
dust/lint, etc. in the housing.