CPU fan is broken, Computer randomly shutting off--gaaah

Hakkekage

I started noticing that my computer was making odd clicking and vibrating noises, and then it started randomly shutting off; not just just turning off, just stopping, because the power button would still glow green but the LEDs on my case would turn off, and pressing the power or restart buttons did nothing. I had to turn off my power strip for about 10 seconds, then turn it back on to get it to restart at all. I guess it had been going on for a while because I would leave it on all night and wake up to find it in this state, figuring somebody had put it on hibernate or something; but just now, in the middle of typing an essay, it turned off all of a sudden.

This cannot happen!

I cracked open the case and, after choking on dust and clearing it away, noticed that my CPU fan wasn't turning. Now, I am no computer expert, but I guess my computer has been overheating. Currently I have a big fan pointed right into my open case right next to my desk to keep it cool, and so far, it's been over an hour since the computer turned off. It's very cold in my once snug corner, though.


So how the hell do I get and install a new fan? Mostly the installing part, actually, since I'm very afraid to tinker around in there without knowing what I am doing; on the other hand, I seriously need this computer to be on hand and not be open on the floor with a goddamn fan keeping it cool.

tl;dr: CPU fan took a shit, need tips on new fans/installing said fan. So, some hardware help, please?

Primesghost

Need to know what kind of CPU you have (Pentium 3, Pentium 4, Athlon XP, etc.). I don't mean this to be an insult but it really doesn't seem like you have a lot of experience with working on computers. I know it seems really easy to those of us who have replaced a heatsink or two but for someone with no experience with computers it can be scary and there's the possibility of making it a lot worse. You may want to find a friend that has built a computer or two to help you with this.

The easiest way to find out which processor you have is to right-click on the "My Computer" icon and select properties. On the first page that pops up in the lower right-hand corner it will list the CPU type and speed. Please post that along with the age of your computer. This is important because if it's a Pentium 4 or Athlon 64 it could be a couple of different socket types and we need to know which one it is so that you get the right heatsink and fan replacement.

Now there's some troubleshooting that needs to be done before you know for sure that it's the fan or if it may be something much bigger. You see that CPU fan? Take a look at where it plugs in to the motherboard. Now, check to see if there's another fan in your computer with the same plug going into the motherboard. Remember that THIS type and THIS type are interchangeable. If your computer doesn't have another fan then maybe a friend will have one you can use for a few minutes. Once you get a testing fan go ahead and shut off your computer. Plug the testing fan in where the CPU fan was plugged in and turn on the computer. If the new fan spins then you know the fan itself just died (most likely from your description of the noises you heard) but if the new fan doesn't spin either then you know that something happened to the power port on your motherboard and you have more serious problems.

Either way, try this and post back here with the results along with the AGE and CPU type of your computer and I'll link you to the replacement part you need.

Also, while you've got the case open, go ahead and get a can of air duster and blow that puppy out. Dust = bad!

Hakkekage

Yeah, I usually mention it it bold letters, but I forgot...I am the biggest computer retard. I am the idiot girl that tech guys complain about. So I appreciate the understandable terms.

Anyway, specs; My CPU is an AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 3200+, 2.00 GHz, 1 GB of RAM. My computer is about a year old.

Also, my computer doesn't have another fan, unfortunately, and I'm not sure if any of my friends will even understand the nature of my problem (if it can be believed, they all know less about computers than even me), but I will ask around and see what comes up.

Thank you so much.

Primesghost

Stupid request but it would be a thousand times easier to identify if you could post a pic of the fan

Ok, so if your computer is a year old it's most likely a socket AM2, it could be socket 939 but it doesn't matter they both use the same CPU fan. From here on out we'll assume your old fan is bad (though it's unusual for one to go out this quickly). First you need to go and pick up a heatsink and fan for an AMD socket AM2. If you want to order one online I found THIS one for you. I know someone will say something about it being a standard heatsink and that you should get a better one but I looked for something that would be easy to install for you. This is where it'd be easier for me to help you install the new one if I had a picture of your old one while still mounted in the computer. Either order one online or go pick one up at the local Fry's and let me know and I'll help you install it.

Edit: almost forgot, you're going to need some thermal paste to go with that. You can pick that up at the local Best Buy or whichever electronics store you prefer.

Fellhand

Normally you can just unscrew the fan from the heat sink. I'd unscrew the fan, unplug the cable connecting the fan to the mother board, drive to Circuit City or Radio Shack and pay their outrageous price for a fan. Bring the fan with you so you have something to compare it to.

If that doesn't work you can always replace the heat sink and fan together, but that'll cost a bit more then just the fan.

Hakkekage

Pictures? Certainly!

Hello, box.

And there's the star of the show.

This dust is unacceptable. You're gross. Clear out your desk.

A different angle on the disgraced, deadbeat fan.

Fellhand, I'm not exactly equipped with the cash to pay an exorbitant rate at some chain store. Plus I'm afraid of taking it out without knowing quite how...

Primesghost, thanks you so much. What exactly is thermal paste and how would I use it?

Anyway please tell me if the pictures confirm that the heatsink you've suggested will work, then I will order it.

Quid

When this happened to me it was the first time I ever had to really screw about with the insides of my computer other than replacing a card. I wouldn't buy any of the extras until you get a new fan as mine frim Newegg came with everything I needed to install it.

Fellhand

Hakkekage wrote: »

Fellhand, I'm not exactly equipped with the cash to pay an exorbitant rate at some chain store. Plus I'm afraid of taking it out without knowing quite how...

Fans are like $12 at the chain stores I think. You might be able to find one that fits for less, but like, it's just $12.

Fellhand

Hakkekage wrote: »

This cable should connect the fan to your mother board_____________________^. First unscrew the screws on your fan (system powered off). The grill will fall off, but the entire fan should come off when all the screws are out. There's nothing dangerous or risky about this, it's just swapping the fan.

(Sorry for the underscores, I'm at work and don't have time to do a quick and dirty with paint and don't know what other options I have for spacing)

Primesghost

Ok, yes, the heatsink and fan that I posted will work for you and there would be no need to mess with screws or anything (since you don't seem to be too confident I want to make this as easy as possible for you, however this does mean that it will cost you a bit more than usual.) Ok, it will be fairly easy to replace the heatsink and fan and should only require a bit of clipping and unclipping things.

Also, THIS is thermal paste.

Edit: Off work now so I can expound a bit. If you decide to order the replacement heatsink and fan let me know and I'll write a quick guide (with pictures/video) on how to swap them out.

AtomBomb

I'd have to recommend just swapping out the fan. 4 screws out, unplug old fan and remove, 4 screws back in, plug in new fan and you're set. If you don't get the screws all perfectly tight nothing terrible is going to happen. However, there are some mistakes you can make with installing a new heatsink that will kill your processor. If you think you've clipped the heatsink in properly, but it's actually not fully contacting the processor die, it can burn up the chip pretty quick. If the old thermal paste has turned more into a glue-ish substance (this is more of an issue with pre-built systems) you can screw up the pins or the socket when you try to take it out.

Take off the fan, go to Best Buy (or if you have a local computer shop that's 100x better) and buy one that looks just like it. Spray off all the dust while you have the fan off, use your old screws to attach the new fan, plug it in and start her up. Keep the side off so that you can make sure it's spinning. If it is you're done.

I'm not saying that swapping out a heatsink is hard. I just think that only doing the fan would be easier for you. If you take your time and are patient I'm sure you could handle either option.

Hakkekage

I'm going to have to go with AtomBomb, I'd rather replace the fan if I'm going to have trouble with the heatsink installation...hopefully it is just the fan. I'd rather take spending a little bit extra to be patient and test every option rather than risk frying this baby.

Alethiometer

Alright, Looking at the motherboard, I can almost make out the model number but a cable is obscuring it. Judging by the pci slots, heat sink, and color it's probably an asus knockoff motherboard, couple of years old. I'm guessing of the same type as the one linked here, below:

http://reviews.cnet.com/motherboards/mach-speed-viper-mk8/4505-3049_7-31891589.html

So, working from that, we know that this is a Socket 939 motherboard. These are a bit out of date, so the good new is that if the whole thing is bricked you can probably replace it for under $90 assuming the processor is okay. It probably is, because there's a built in heat sensor which shuts the computer off if the temperature exceeds some preset (hence all your shut downs).

Replacing the heat sink wouldn't do anything and could actively be harmful if you get the wrong type. A solid metal heat exchanger isn't going to stop working no matter how hot you make it, so that's not an issue. The fan itself is probably the culprit and you can get another extremely cheaply at any local store, they're all pretty much standard size. Just undo the 4 screws and put the new one on. If you want a nice fast one I'd recommend Newegg.com

*BUT*
The issue here is not necessarily the fan, but the problem that caused the fan to stop working in the first place. If we just go about replacing the fan and it turns out it was an electrical problem in the little pins the fan plugs into, we're not going to get very far. I have trouble believing it was dust causing a burnout because I've seen computers a thousand times nastier than that which had no problems running. I suspect it may just be that the little fan motor burned out, which does happen from time to time. One thing I'd like to see though, can you show us where the fan is actually plugged into the board?

Hakkekage

tAlethiometer: I already unscrewed my fan :<. And I've had no problems until now, so I'm not entirely convinced I should be replacing the entire motherboard...Also, I haven't had a shutdown in two days; I am safely (enough) using it right now, with my big, ghetto external fan cooling my open case.

Anyway I went to Best Buy, Staples, and Radioshack today. Best Buy said they didn't carry CPU fans. Staples' fans were too big, and so was Radioshack's. I think the problem with finding a new fan now is getting the right size...mine is 2.75"x2.75". So I guess I have to look online again. But then there's the issue of my not knowing how to sort by slot. Dammit.

EDIT: Oh, hey, I think it's this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150071

Seems like the guy who built my computer picked a cheapass fan. And 70mm, too. What the hell! and the other option also seems to be a similar cheapass fan.

Where can I order the fan without the heatsink, and have it be the right compatibility plus right size?

Alethiometer

Yeah, running it with a regular floor fan is pretty much going to get the same effect- air flow over the heat sink. If it's running like that then you're probably safe as far as the motherboard goes.

Yes the fan/heatsink combo was cheap, but really that's not a bad thing. It's never had problems before and you aren't about to overclock it, so stick with what works. Here's a fan, minus heat sink:

http://www.svc.com/r127015dl.html

All you need to check for compatibility is the size- 70mm, in this case. To make sure that's accurate, just measure the frame of the fan from one side to the other. Oh, make sure it's a 3-pin plug, because some older fans use a 4-pin and that's not going to work for you.

Hakkekage

!

You're so speedy and efficient!

Thanks alot, Aleth. My motherboard uses the tiny socket, so I can just leave the big one dangling, right?

Alethiometer

Haha, I'm off of work for a couple days with a broken thumb, so browsing these forums is about all I've got to occupy time. Sad, I know

If you've got two connectors, chances are one of them is a plug for adding more fans in a chain. Pretty much irrelevant in this case, as long as it has the same 3-pin connector as the one you've pulled off, you're fine.

Nova_C

I'd recommend replacing, or at least removing the heatsink since thermal paste degrades over time. It's really not a big deal, but if you're interested, this is also a good opportunity to learn more about the construction of your computer for future reference (Inevitable upgrades/replacements).

Pretty much every socket based CPU (Which yours is) heatsink installs the same way. Around the CPU socket is a plastic square with tabs on two sides. The plastic square is much larger than the CPU and is either solid, like this one (Note the three tabs on the top and bottom):



or is a black square around the socket like this one:



A heatsink by itself looks like thus:



You can see the metal tab coming out the one side with the three square holes? That is where you lock the heatsink onto the plastic mount. Basically, it uses tension to hold down the heatsink. The metal tab stretches though the middle of the heatsink and is raised so that you can only easily insert the plastic tabs of the mount into one side. Then you have to press the other side of the metal tab down to lock it into place.



Some heatsinks come with levers or other things to make this easier, but they all attach in the same basic way.

As far as thermal paste goes, if you do decide to replace what is currently on your CPU, remember to clean the CPU off first. Just google thermal paste for instructions on how best to clean and apply it.