CPU Fan has failed please advise

[V Bot]

My computer now shuts itself off due to my cpu fan failing. I've opened up my tower and cannot find the model number of the Cooler Master inside, should I need to replace it. The fan will move for a few seconds when the tower is turned on, but then shut down, to prevent further damage. I've tried cleaning it and noticed the fan doesn't turn very freely. Is there a way to take the fan propeller (If you will) off and check/clean underneath it. What exactly do I need to look for in replacing the fan if this is not possible? I have a Compaq SR5233WM. Sorry if I haven't listed enough info on the tower itself. This happened after a power outage. It would appear as I won't be able to remove the fan without the heatsink as they are held together by some kind of tabs. The fan is similar to the one shown. Only mine isn't attached to the heatsink with screws.

[zoobie]

Sure...you can take it all apart if you wish...but don't reuse it unless you want to go thru this all over again in 6-18 months. The sleeve bearing is probably shot. They're pretty standard fans at this point. I'd simply take it down to your computer shop like comp USA or whatever and have them match one up.

[HotDamn!]

If you do end up having to take the heat sink off to remove the fan then be sure to check back here on how to reinstall the heat sink. Once it's removed you will need to clean the CPU and re-apply some thermal paste.

Not questioning your knowledge on this, just making sure good luck to you.

[redwudz]

Most of those type of fans don't come apart, but try peeling the paper label off the rotor part of the fan or cut a hole in the middle with a sharp knife and that 'might' give you access to the bearing. A bit a machine oil might keep it running for a couple of weeks, but it will likely fail again fairly quickly as the oil seals are probably shot.

If the fan on your cooler isn't mounted with screws, it probably has some sort of clips holding it to the heatsink fins. Measure the fan size and replace it with similar. You will need at least a three wire fan. The black and red wires are the negative and positive 12VDC. The yellow is the tachometer lead that reports the RPM to the motherboard. If the fan is glued to the mount or the heatsink, then likely no fix.

But then I would just replace the whole CPU cooler as it will probably improve the cooling and may be about as easy as trying to get the old fan off and replace it if it has a odd mounting system. You don't want to be prying on that cooler trying to get the fan loose.

If you decide on replacing the whole cooler, post back, as the process has some risks if you aren't careful.

[EddyH]

Path of least resistance:

Take merely the fan off, go to nearest PC store, find one of a matching size / attachment / power socket. Put new fan in place of old.

There's nothing particularly magic about them, they're like car tyres or the like. There's various standard sizes, and you can pick a particular favourite "good quality" or "cheap but solid" brand if you like, but other than that they're largely interchangable. The highly integrated Intel or Dell ones might give you a nightmare, but in that case there's hopefully a standard part number for your particular PC / CPU model that you can reorder. Back in the 486 and early Pentium days there was only one size of fan + heatsink anyway and it's not got too much more complex since --- except that latterday heatsinks have become ever more difficult and risky to install and swap out. Luckily, if you've done something that's managed to damage a lump of milled aluminium/copper so much you need to replace it, the rest of the PC is probably a goner anyway.

[jagabo]

If you can't replace the fan just go buy yourself a new cpu cooler. It looks like you have a Socket 775 system with a Pentium D:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574+1370826092+1371...e=&srchInDesc=

Make sure there is room for the cooler you buy and make it's rated for the Pentium D.

[V Bot]

Okay, I went to my Computer Warehouse and bought another fan, only it is powered by a 4 pin molex plug where my original is a small 4 pin that connects directly to the board. I installed the fan and still get the error (CPU Fan Has Failed). Called Computer Warehouse and was told maybe the CPU needs to have the fan connected directly to the board versus the 4 pin molex plug I'm hoping this is the issue and will be returning the fan tomorrow and special order another as they are difficult to match up on the internet (Intel). Thanks for the replies, I'll update tomorrow. So here's to still being without my desktop.

[jagabo]

The power connector on your original fan has feedback pin that tells the computer how fast the fan is spinning. You need to supply that signal to the connector on the motherboard or the BIOS will think your fan has stopped working.

[ricoman]

I recently changed the fan on a Dell for a friend and it was a proprietary fan, meaning that you had to get a certain fan. Go to the website of the computer maker and inquire what fan is needed. If it's not proprietary, do what the others have suggested. If it is, google the fan, there are some OEM replacements that might be cheaper.

[V Bot]

Okay, jagabo I think I found my solution. I hope.
http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/technologies/electromechanical/thermal-management/...12VH-SP00.aspx

Futureelectronics.com, ever heard of them? This is the cheapest and in stock I could find. Tried Tiger Direct & New Egg as well as my favorite store eBay.

[V Bot]

ricoman, yeah this fan definitely has to be a certain one as it fits together to the heatsink by 4 tabs. Only my luck I guess. I could have all the dollar bills in the world, dying of thirst on the desert and find a soda machine that takes only coins. I guess it's not that bad.

[V Bot]

Okay, so I now await my new fan, but in the meantime I took my old fan and cleaned it out with an air compressor and what do you know, it works. Well, I guess I'll have a new fan to install and keep the old in case of an emergency. Thanks to all that replied. Need an air compressor at home.

[redwudz]

Canned air? You can find it in most office stores.

[V Bot]

Canned air just doesn't really have enough pressure. I know you don't want to blow the thing away, but an air compressor for me, would be the way to go. Need it for my electronics. Live right off of a highway, dust city.

[redwudz]

I did invest in a air compressor. But a few tips, keep the pressure down to just what you need. For electronics with fans, stick a zip tie or a plastic straw through the blades to keep from over speeding them and damaging the bearings. Blow your dust out outdoors as you don't want to put it back in the indoor air. It's mostly animal dander, skin cells, dirt, lint, pollen and other things you don't need indoors. And wear a particle dust mask as breathing it is even worse.

The canned air is OK for light dusting, with the same precautions. Canned air can also spay out cold liquid if you tilt the can do much and that can damage warm parts.

[V Bot]

Okay, so here's an update, I got a new fan and had to splice the wires to the old fan connector. I have a Red, Yellow, Blue and Black on the connector. The new fan has a Green, Yellow, Blue and Black. I have used wire connectors to join the fan and connectors, installed the fan and still get the CPU fan has failed error. Any suggestions? I'm probably going to have to try re-splicing. I connected the like colors together and then the Green with the Red.

[jagabo]

You should be careful about connecting random wires. See if you can find pinouts for the motherboard and fan. Connect the correct wires, don't go by colors.

[V Bot]

Sorry, I should have mentioned this, I only connected those that way from the advice of a computer tech that works at a local repair shop. I now wonder if my splice didn't make true contact.

[jagabo]

If the fan is working properly but you still get the failure message -- you can probably disable, or otherwise adjust, the CPU fan monitoring in the BIOS.

[V Bot]

No, my computer shuts itself off right after I push the power button to prevent any CPU damage. It says the CPU fan has failed and shuts off. So wonder if my connections to the splice are bad.

[redwudz]

If you have a four wire fan, that's a PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) fan. But it will also work as a regular tachometer fan.

This from my Intel MB manual of the PC in my Computer Details:



1 = GND (Black)
2 = +12VDC (Yellow)
3 = Sense (Green) (Tachometer)
4 = Speed Control (Blue)

This is a different color code than a voltage controlled fan. And if your MB has a four pin fan connector, you can go into BIOS and select PWM fan control instead of voltage fan control. PWM has the advantage of precise fan speed control, from zero RPM to full speed and is more efficient than voltage control.

EDIT: It sounds like you have a couple of wires reversed.

[V Bot]

Thank you guys, I did follow the pins/Ground,Power, etc and it's back on. I knew I came to the right place. Thanks again.