ron987
02-16-2012 07:44 AM (27 days ago)
I've had this computer a little over 2 years. A month after I got it, I turned it one morning and the CPU cooling fan was running full speed. I just turned it on so it couldn't be hot. I called support and they had me try a few things like cleaning but of course it was clean I was only a month old. They said a few other things to try but nothing worked. I was told I had to send it back in. It took me weeks to get all my business data on it so I didn't want to send it back.

I decided to call back support and talk to someone else. Thank goodness I talked to someone who knew exactly what to do. He said to unplug the computer, open the case, find the connecter from the CPU fan to the motherboard, unplug it and plug it back in. At first I didn't believe it could be so simple but it worked.

Over the last 2 years it's happened 4-5 more times and this 5 minute fix has worked every time.

Of course there could be other reasons for cooling fan that is running full speed, poor air flow because it needs to be cleaned, a bad heat sink, etc. which is causing overheating.

But if you just turn it on and the fan is loud and running at full speed, try this simple fix first.

Ron



Big_Dave
02-16-2012 08:37 AM (27 days ago)
Hi,

I wouldn't call the fix a solution but only a circumvention. The fan or connector is probably faulty.
ron987
02-16-2012 08:53 AM (27 days ago)
Perhaps but I doubt if a connector is the problem. I suspect it's something in the motherboard or sensor that tells it when to turn on.

So call it a work around or whatever but I would rather do this a few times a year than send it in or get a new motherboard expecially since it's out of warrenty.
Big_Dave
02-16-2012 08:59 AM (27 days ago)
Hi,

I very much doubt it's the sensor. I suspect a high resistant or loose connection issue since just removing the connector temporarily circumvents the issue.

If the problem was consistent then perhaps another issue may be the problem.
SgtFritz
03-13-2012 06:25 AM (1 days ago)
As unlikely as it seems, this worked great for me as well...
Big_Dave
03-13-2012 10:17 AM (1 days ago)
The insides on the connector are either too loose or are tarnished. The board header pins might also be tarnished and by replacing and replacing the connector a better connecting is being formed. Another possibility is a "cold" solder joint on the motherboard and a little jiggle might change the connection. Nevertheless, if it works it works. It's a pretty obscure circumvention.