It'll work,don't think it will do dvb-s2 but regular hd and sd should work,even with "eyepatch" stuff on it.If it's free,what the hell,play with it ,don't like it ,get rid of it.
""can the astc tuner can also pick up clear qam"" I really doubt it. But don't think you could harm it by trying it.
Dead fan: replacements can be found cheap.
I'm thinking of getting a Mediasonic HW-150PVR for OTA DVR usage.