System Fan Failure?
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Systems
Last response: in Systems
Code7526
May 15, 2014 11:04:12 PM
Hi All
We have a Dell, Model Inspiron One 2310 desktop computer that is running Window 7 Home Premium.
This morning as we turned on the computer the computer started up on a black screen and on the screen it had the writing, 'System Fan Failure.'
We turned off the computer from it's main switch and turned it on again and the computer started
normally.
Why did the computer first say system fan failure when we first started it up?
Regards James
We have a Dell, Model Inspiron One 2310 desktop computer that is running Window 7 Home Premium.
This morning as we turned on the computer the computer started up on a black screen and on the screen it had the writing, 'System Fan Failure.'
We turned off the computer from it's main switch and turned it on again and the computer started
normally.
Why did the computer first say system fan failure when we first started it up?
Regards James
More about : system fan failure
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dingo07
May 15, 2014 11:10:51 PM
bigpinkdragon286
May 15, 2014 11:31:40 PM
Many computers use a tachometer of sorts to measure the speed at which certain fans are spinning. If as dingo07 mentioned, the fan attached to the connector Dell has identified as "system fan," failed to spin during a check of the tachometer, it makes sense the warning was thrown. Fans that have become clogged or have bearings that have either failed or are in the process of failing, tend to have fluctuations in their rotational speed. It's likely the fan started spinning fast enough to prevent the error, after you power cycled the machine.
It's best to have the computer checked out internally at this point, either professionally, or if you're up to it, you can most likely do this yourself. Just be aware, fan bearings are not meant for high speeds so, if you use compressed air or a vacuum cleaner, prevent the fan blades from spinning to avoid bearing damage. Replace any fans that are failing and clean the rest, especially clogged heat sinks. :-)
It's best to have the computer checked out internally at this point, either professionally, or if you're up to it, you can most likely do this yourself. Just be aware, fan bearings are not meant for high speeds so, if you use compressed air or a vacuum cleaner, prevent the fan blades from spinning to avoid bearing damage. Replace any fans that are failing and clean the rest, especially clogged heat sinks. :-)
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Code7526
May 16, 2014 6:04:46 AM
Code7526
May 21, 2014 6:02:11 AM
dingo07
May 16, 2014 5:27:19 PM
Code7526
May 22, 2014 5:15:51 AM
Hi All,
I didn't change our Dell computer fan when it said ''Fan System Failure"when you started it up. Yesterday I left the computer on all night and when I got to work this morning, the computer is dead, it won't turn on at all. Will it turn on once I replace the fan? Will it also be able to turn on by itself in a couple of day as you mentioned? Does the computer firmware make the computer turn off for a couple of days if its fan stops working?
Regards, James
I didn't change our Dell computer fan when it said ''Fan System Failure"when you started it up. Yesterday I left the computer on all night and when I got to work this morning, the computer is dead, it won't turn on at all. Will it turn on once I replace the fan? Will it also be able to turn on by itself in a couple of day as you mentioned? Does the computer firmware make the computer turn off for a couple of days if its fan stops working?
Regards, James
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dingo07
May 22, 2014 7:26:27 AM
No, the fan has no bearing on whether the computer turns on. The computer has most likely overheated and shut down. At this point it's damage control - the processor is probably dead. Unplugging the power for a couple minutes might reset the motherboard. And no, the firmware doesn't operate like that. When you press the power button, it either comes on if all's good or it doesn't.
Did you ever check to see if the fan on the processor spins normally and doesn't get stuck, or his hard to spin?
Did you ever check to see if the fan on the processor spins normally and doesn't get stuck, or his hard to spin?
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Paperdoc
May 22, 2014 9:20:16 AM
It sounds very much like the "system fan" in your machine is the CPU cooling fan, as others have suggested. And it sounds like its bearings have worn out so the fan sometimes works (maybe at slower speed than intended) and sometimes just stalls. A fan in this condition may fail to start up reliably at boot time but then start a bit later. Or, it may actually stall after running for a while when its bearings heat up. In either case, you MUST replace this fan!
Now, your machine MAY work OK once the fan is replaced, maybe not. The hope is based on this: there are probably two protection systems for your CPU chip against overheating. The first is ALWAYS there in every system. The BIOS monitors the actual temperature inside the CPU from a sensor built into the chip; if it goes high, the BOIS either slows down the whole system to let the chip cool or, if that is not enough, it will shut down the system. Of course this means that, after it has been off for a while and the CPU temp is cooled off, it will re-start normally. BUT the original cause of overheating is still there, so it's very UNWISE to do this now.
Many mobos also have a second protection, and maybe yours has this. It monitors the speed signal being sent from the CPU cooling fan to the mobo. If that signal fails it indicates that the fan has stopped. (Note that this could happen if the fan really does fail, OR simply if the fan's speed signal fails to get to the mobo because there is a bad connection where the fan plugs into the mobo port.) If the mobo senses that the CPU fan has failed, it sends out a warning and usually completely shuts down the system within a short time. It does not even wait for the CPU temperature to rise. This is a pre-emptive way to prevent CPU overheating. If this is what has happened, the next time you try to turn on the machine it could go two ways. If the fan has failed and it does not start up (or even if the signal merely does not get through), the system will warn you again about the system fan failure and will not start. But if the fan does start up the system will work. THEN you have the worry - when will it fail again?
Bottom line: when you get dire warnings, pay attention! A failed system fan (CPU cooler) MUST be fixed before you do anything else. Ignoring that problem leaves you very vulnerable to CPU overheating and permanent damage, even though the system tries to protect itself against this. In your case, do not start up the system again until you replace the fan. Hopefully there was no permanent damage, and your system will work again when you have good CPU cooling.
Now, your machine MAY work OK once the fan is replaced, maybe not. The hope is based on this: there are probably two protection systems for your CPU chip against overheating. The first is ALWAYS there in every system. The BIOS monitors the actual temperature inside the CPU from a sensor built into the chip; if it goes high, the BOIS either slows down the whole system to let the chip cool or, if that is not enough, it will shut down the system. Of course this means that, after it has been off for a while and the CPU temp is cooled off, it will re-start normally. BUT the original cause of overheating is still there, so it's very UNWISE to do this now.
Many mobos also have a second protection, and maybe yours has this. It monitors the speed signal being sent from the CPU cooling fan to the mobo. If that signal fails it indicates that the fan has stopped. (Note that this could happen if the fan really does fail, OR simply if the fan's speed signal fails to get to the mobo because there is a bad connection where the fan plugs into the mobo port.) If the mobo senses that the CPU fan has failed, it sends out a warning and usually completely shuts down the system within a short time. It does not even wait for the CPU temperature to rise. This is a pre-emptive way to prevent CPU overheating. If this is what has happened, the next time you try to turn on the machine it could go two ways. If the fan has failed and it does not start up (or even if the signal merely does not get through), the system will warn you again about the system fan failure and will not start. But if the fan does start up the system will work. THEN you have the worry - when will it fail again?
Bottom line: when you get dire warnings, pay attention! A failed system fan (CPU cooler) MUST be fixed before you do anything else. Ignoring that problem leaves you very vulnerable to CPU overheating and permanent damage, even though the system tries to protect itself against this. In your case, do not start up the system again until you replace the fan. Hopefully there was no permanent damage, and your system will work again when you have good CPU cooling.
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bigpinkdragon286
May 22, 2014 9:58:13 PM
So bottom line, if the faulty fan is the reason your computer fails to POST correctly, replacing it may well solve you problem. You need to investigate this yourself, or have it looked into by a professional. We don't have enough details yet to tell you with certainty. For what it's worth, a fan in such bad condition can usually be spun with a fingertip while the system is powered off, and you will see that the fan will either not spin at all, or stop spinning once you stop applying force.
As Paperdoc mentioned, there is more than one possible reason your system may be failing to POST. Also be aware, whether your system implements one method, both, or neither, will depend on the make and model of computer parts in your system.
As Paperdoc mentioned, there is more than one possible reason your system may be failing to POST. Also be aware, whether your system implements one method, both, or neither, will depend on the make and model of computer parts in your system.
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Code7526
May 22, 2014 10:51:49 PM
We tested the power adapter with a meter and current is not passing through it.
I think the power adapter was faulty and therefore the computer fan was getting less current and turning slower and therefore the computer was saying "Fan System Failure” on the screen when you started it up. Eventually the power adapter stopped working altogether and the computer turned off.
I phoned Dell, South Africa about a fan in case we change the power adapter and the computer still doesn`t work, Dell said we can order a fan through them and they can deliver us a fan from their warehouse from Cape Town, total cost for fan and delivery is R520. We are situated in Cape Town, South Africa.
I think the power adapter was faulty and therefore the computer fan was getting less current and turning slower and therefore the computer was saying "Fan System Failure” on the screen when you started it up. Eventually the power adapter stopped working altogether and the computer turned off.
I phoned Dell, South Africa about a fan in case we change the power adapter and the computer still doesn`t work, Dell said we can order a fan through them and they can deliver us a fan from their warehouse from Cape Town, total cost for fan and delivery is R520. We are situated in Cape Town, South Africa.
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bigpinkdragon286
May 23, 2014 9:42:36 PM
When a power supply detects seriously abnormal voltage levels, it shuts the system down. If it were far enough out of spec to cause your fan to stop spinning, your computer would be entirely unable to display an error message, much less run at all.
It may very well be that your power adapter as you are calling it, is faulty, but that doesn't explain the "system fan" warning.
On the other hand, power supplies in computers are usually actively cooled by a fan. If the fan that was failing happened to be the power supply cooling fan, and you continued to run the system, your power supply could have failed due to overheating.
It may very well be that your power adapter as you are calling it, is faulty, but that doesn't explain the "system fan" warning.
On the other hand, power supplies in computers are usually actively cooled by a fan. If the fan that was failing happened to be the power supply cooling fan, and you continued to run the system, your power supply could have failed due to overheating.
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Code7526
May 26, 2014 3:43:59 AM
Code7526
May 26, 2014 7:28:36 AM
Thank you All for All the Information!
I can't afford to pay a professional to look at the computer.
I am going to open up the computer put on new power adapter I buy, turn on the computer and see if CPU Fan turns, I suspect it is the CPU Fan that needs to be replaced because it is the fan that is exposed the most to dust. I will replace the fan that needs replacing.
I can't afford to pay a professional to look at the computer.
I am going to open up the computer put on new power adapter I buy, turn on the computer and see if CPU Fan turns, I suspect it is the CPU Fan that needs to be replaced because it is the fan that is exposed the most to dust. I will replace the fan that needs replacing.
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Code7526
May 26, 2014 7:30:07 AM
Code7526
May 26, 2014 11:28:04 PM
Code7526
May 26, 2014 11:39:15 PM
We haven't opened up our Dell Inspiron One 2310 Desktop yet, because we are waiting for our new power adapter so that we can turn on the computer while it is open to see if the CPU fan or the Power Supply fan is faulty. I assume the Dell Inspiron One 2310 desktop has two fans, a CPU fan and Power Supply fan?
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bigpinkdragon286
May 27, 2014 5:11:20 AM
Well, most standard desktop style computers have a power supply fan. Looking up your particular make and model of computer, it appears you have an all-in-one style, and your power is supplied from an external adapter, not an internal power supply as would normally be the case. The construction of your particular computer is much more like a laptop, and it appears, there is a single fan to cool the entire system.
Here is the service manual for your computer, which should help you in locating and replacing your system fan: SERVICE MANUAL
Here is the service manual for your computer, which should help you in locating and replacing your system fan: SERVICE MANUAL
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Code7526
May 28, 2014 1:07:25 AM
Bigpinkdragon286 Thanks for the information!
When we receive our new power adapter for our Dell Inspirion One 2310 desktop from Dell, South Africa,
I will;
1. Open Computer
2. Blow dust out of the computer.
3. Plug in the new power adapter
4. Turn on computer while it is open
5. See if the error message "Fan System Failure"Comes up on computer screen
IF 'Fan System Failure"' comes up on the screen, then the CPU Fan is faulty
IF NO
"Fan System Failure" message comes up on the screen
THAT means
The old power adapter was faulty before completely stopped working and the CPU Fan wasn't getting enough current and turning slowly, so therefore the computer was saying "Fan System Failure" on the screen.
When we receive our new power adapter for our Dell Inspirion One 2310 desktop from Dell, South Africa,
I will;
1. Open Computer
2. Blow dust out of the computer.
3. Plug in the new power adapter
4. Turn on computer while it is open
5. See if the error message "Fan System Failure"Comes up on computer screen
IF 'Fan System Failure"' comes up on the screen, then the CPU Fan is faulty
IF NO
"Fan System Failure" message comes up on the screen
THAT means
The old power adapter was faulty before completely stopped working and the CPU Fan wasn't getting enough current and turning slowly, so therefore the computer was saying "Fan System Failure" on the screen.
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Code7526
May 29, 2014 4:04:28 AM
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Paperdoc
May 29, 2014 8:12:24 AM
Code7526
May 30, 2014 1:55:17 AM
Thanks Paperdoc!
Our Dell power adapter was faulty so the CPU fan wasn't getting enough voltage and therefore the CPU fan was spinning slower and because our Dell Inspiron One 2310 monitors the speed of the CPU fan, our computer brought up the error message, "System Fan Failure" on it's screen. Now that the CPU Fan is getting enough voltage and spinning fast enough, no 'System Fan Failure" error message is coming up on the computer screen when you reboot the computer.
Our Dell power adapter was faulty so the CPU fan wasn't getting enough voltage and therefore the CPU fan was spinning slower and because our Dell Inspiron One 2310 monitors the speed of the CPU fan, our computer brought up the error message, "System Fan Failure" on it's screen. Now that the CPU Fan is getting enough voltage and spinning fast enough, no 'System Fan Failure" error message is coming up on the computer screen when you reboot the computer.
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