Since I bought this laptop less than a year ago, either one or both fans keeps on randomly and completely switching off...

If your laptop is overheating during use, see the Acer Aspire 5253 Is Overheating problem page for possible causes and solutions. After 6 months and 2 returns to RMA finally found the answer here:!!!!! http://community.acer.com/t5/V-and-VN-Series/Fan-randomly-not-working-Acer-Nitro/m-p/400188/highlight/false#M6793 I was surprised no one had report this issue before, it was happening with external monitor connected to laptop.. As the link above indicates, you must unlug any external monitor connected to the laptop during boot, and plug again after boot... a very strange issue!!!!