"System Fan Failure" question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Prophecy · 12-21-2008, 10:09 AM

I booted up my HP Pavailion a1730n (Vista) this morning and got this message. "System Fan has failed. Hit F2 to continue."

After quick check inside I noticed all of my appeared to be running fine. Later in the day I heard some grinding type noise from the PC which I singled out as coming from the PSU.

I was under the impression the system error would refer to the CPU fan or perhaps a case fan only. So my question is simple. Could this error be talking about the PSU or am I looking at getting a new PSU and a CPU fan on top of that? (I'm assuming the case fan on the back is fine)

Wyodiver33 · 12-21-2008, 11:25 AM

If it is your PSU fan you can replace it, but be very careful. Pretty good chance of getting shocked. I would disconnect from AC for at least 24 hours. But, I would try cleaning out all the fans first with some compressed air (can from like Radio Shack.) If you have a really dusty fan it might not be spinning up like it should and could be the cause of the noise. Try all the simple things before throwing money at it. Good luck!

Vigilante · 12-21-2008, 12:11 PM

If the PSU has a tach lead coming out of the PSU (antec is known for this) then the error may indeed be the PSU fan.

A good practice for most fans is to take the sticker off the back, pull off the rubber plug if present, and put a couple of drops of oil in the bearing center and put everything back on. The reason is because most fans are sleeve or sleeve+bearing type designs, and the oil serves to keep the copper sleeve from wearing down in a short amount of time. The grinding sound you hear is the sleeve bearing and blade shaft rubbing in a dry environment, which quickly eats the sleeve and makes the fan wobble, thus making it slap around more, get hot, and lock up. Also the buildup of crud from this reaction creates a permanent lockup condition. Once it has locked up or is turning very slowly, it is too far gone to keep, even if you oil it.

I would recommend you either oil these bearings or replace all fans with bearing type designs, which last alot longer.

If you are not good with the mechanics of your computer, take it to a tech or neighbor/friend that is good with computers and have them do it. Bear in mind the programmers are not always good with hardware, I have met some that would be better off taking the computer to you for hardware servicing rather than vice versa

. So if you know a techie-type, make sure he/she is good with hardware first.

The PSU is dangerous in the sense that the capacitors are great at delivering a potentially deadly shock. At the very least it is extremely painful. I know from personal experience, I've taken the fully loaded shock from a PSU cap.

That said, if you are comfortable either replacing or servicing the PSU fan, then go for it. Otherwise find someone that can. Some techs will do it and some won't. I have no problem even replacing caps in the PSU, but not everyone is handy with a soldering iron. Replacing a fan is child's play, honestly.

edit: Let me add 2 things:
-Some PSUs have a chome grill that is mounted in place along with the fan. That means you don't have to open the PSU to service the fan. Take 3 off and spin the grill out of the way and do your thing.
-If you get oil on the back of the fan, use acetone or ethyl acetate to clean it. Fingernail polish works fine in most cases. Pure acetone can be found at walmart for a buck or 2.

Prophecy · 12-21-2008, 12:36 PM

My current PSU is this thing. I remember buying it dirt cheap a while ago in a mom and pop store.

Ultra Products - V-Series 600 Watt PSU - Black

If it's just as simple matter of cleaning I'm certainly willing and able to do that. Though if it came down to replacing the fan (never used and don't own a soldering iron) I was just going to buy a whole new PSU. Something along the lines of this.

Thanks for the replies, I guess I'll take a closer look at the PSU before I buy a new one .

tcp · 12-28-2008, 09:43 AM

I think the soldering iron was for a capacitor change, not a fan replacement. Also, your BIOS usually lets you check fan speeds and also line voltages. Make sure your PSU isn't putting out the wrong amount of voltage.

tenchi069 · 01-01-2009, 11:15 AM

have you changed any hardware recently?

12-21-2008, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Prophecy Oracle & Apollyon Location: Limbus Patrum	"System Fan Failure" question I booted up my HP Pavailion a1730n (Vista) this morning and got this message. "System Fan has failed. Hit F2 to continue." After quick check inside I noticed all of my appeared to be running fine. Later in the day I heard some grinding type noise from the PC which I singled out as coming from the PSU. I was under the impression the system error would refer to the CPU fan or perhaps a case fan only. So my question is simple. Could this error be talking about the PSU or am I looking at getting a new PSU and a CPU fan on top of that? (I'm assuming the case fan on the back is fine) __________________ La Disciplina È La Mia Spada, La Fede È Il Mio Schermo, Non salti Ciecamente In Incertezza, E Potete Raccogliere Le Ricompense.

12-21-2008, 11:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	If it is your PSU fan you can replace it, but be very careful. Pretty good chance of getting shocked. I would disconnect from AC for at least 24 hours. But, I would try cleaning out all the fans first with some compressed air (can from like Radio Shack.) If you have a really dusty fan it might not be spinning up like it should and could be the cause of the noise. Try all the simple things before throwing money at it. Good luck! __________________ I like stuff.

12-21-2008, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Vigilante Broken Arrow Location: US	If the PSU has a tach lead coming out of the PSU (antec is known for this) then the error may indeed be the PSU fan. A good practice for most fans is to take the sticker off the back, pull off the rubber plug if present, and put a couple of drops of oil in the bearing center and put everything back on. The reason is because most fans are sleeve or sleeve+bearing type designs, and the oil serves to keep the copper sleeve from wearing down in a short amount of time. The grinding sound you hear is the sleeve bearing and blade shaft rubbing in a dry environment, which quickly eats the sleeve and makes the fan wobble, thus making it slap around more, get hot, and lock up. Also the buildup of crud from this reaction creates a permanent lockup condition. Once it has locked up or is turning very slowly, it is too far gone to keep, even if you oil it. I would recommend you either oil these bearings or replace all fans with bearing type designs, which last alot longer. If you are not good with the mechanics of your computer, take it to a tech or neighbor/friend that is good with computers and have them do it. Bear in mind the programmers are not always good with hardware, I have met some that would be better off taking the computer to you for hardware servicing rather than vice versa . So if you know a techie-type, make sure he/she is good with hardware first. The PSU is dangerous in the sense that the capacitors are great at delivering a potentially deadly shock. At the very least it is extremely painful. I know from personal experience, I've taken the fully loaded shock from a PSU cap. That said, if you are comfortable either replacing or servicing the PSU fan, then go for it. Otherwise find someone that can. Some techs will do it and some won't. I have no problem even replacing caps in the PSU, but not everyone is handy with a soldering iron. Replacing a fan is child's play, honestly. edit: Let me add 2 things: -Some PSUs have a chome grill that is mounted in place along with the fan. That means you don't have to open the PSU to service the fan. Take 3 off and spin the grill out of the way and do your thing. -If you get oil on the back of the fan, use acetone or ethyl acetate to clean it. Fingernail polish works fine in most cases. Pure acetone can be found at walmart for a buck or 2. __________________ We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -Winston Churchill Last edited by Vigilante; 12-21-2008 at 12:18 PM..

12-21-2008, 12:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Prophecy Oracle & Apollyon Location: Limbus Patrum	My current PSU is this thing. I remember buying it dirt cheap a while ago in a mom and pop store. Ultra Products - V-Series 600 Watt PSU - Black If it's just as simple matter of cleaning I'm certainly willing and able to do that. Though if it came down to replacing the fan (never used and don't own a soldering iron) I was just going to buy a whole new PSU. Something along the lines of this. Thanks for the replies, I guess I'll take a closer look at the PSU before I buy a new one . __________________ La Disciplina È La Mia Spada, La Fede È Il Mio Schermo, Non salti Ciecamente In Incertezza, E Potete Raccogliere Le Ricompense. Last edited by Prophecy; 12-21-2008 at 12:38 PM..

01-01-2009, 11:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
tenchi069 Lost Location: One step closer to the padded cell...	have you changed any hardware recently? __________________ ERROR- PLBSAK Problem Lies Between Seat and Keyboard.

12-28-2008, 09:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
tcp Crazy	I think the soldering iron was for a capacitor change, not a fan replacement. Also, your BIOS usually lets you check fan speeds and also line voltages. Make sure your PSU isn't putting out the wrong amount of voltage.