Compaq Desktop (fans are ALWAYS on)

[ZTEKNOLOGIES]

hey everyone

for around 6 months now we have had a desktop in our lobby running with the FANS always on, they NEVER shut off, we dont shut the PC down so it can get annoying, any suggestions, our secretary (whos pc it is) tried to put a piece of a popsicle stick in the fan on the exhaust to stop it, i told her that is NOT a bright idea, but there must be some PHANTOM thing going on, we have several pcs same make model and fans never run!

HELP!

 

[vacunita]

Fans run to dissipate heat. If they are running its because its very hot. Stopping the fans like that will only result in the system overheating, and causing damage to vital parts of it, like hard drives or processors.

I'd find out why the fans are running.

Is it in a confined space? This might impede proper airflow, and heat the system.

Is it near a heat source?

check the Bios for temperature readings Make sure everything is O.k.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[ZTEKNOLOGIES]

thanks for the reply


as far as the questions

1. not a confined space

2. not near a heat source

3. i dont think the bios on this machine will give a reading like that

any other suggesestions?

 

[vacunita]

Check for dust in the fans. It's normal for fans to be on continuously. If they make sounds, it can be due to dust, or faulty placement. Maybe they are loose, or something is hitting against them.

I don't know what to tell you except jamming them can have really adverse effects on the system.



----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[paparazi]

Also....many bios setups have "smart fan controls" or similar functions to allow the motherboard to control CPU/and case fan speed according to temperature (depending on how it has been wired)
Worth looking in the bios setup.
Get the basics done as well ie: properly clean out heatsink/fans etc for dust build up.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[goombawaho]

If you can identify the fan creating the most noise, there are replacement fans that are quieter, so the secretary wouldn't care if they were always running.

In my experience, case fans are generally quiet and CPU fans are often the noisy ones. If there are no case fans in the PC, you might consider installing one or more (if there are places for them) to move air out of the case. This MIGHT cause the other fan to slow down.

 

[RCorrigan]

You could also download a 3rd party utility to monitor the HDD temp etc (google it - there are loads) and see if the PC is running hot hence the fans being on ..... also if possible leave the pc off for a good while (till cool) and see then if the fans comne on when re-booted or only kick-in later

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[ZTEKNOLOGIES]

not possible to leave the pc off at this time, the temp in the room is a bearalbe 63, will look for a cpu monitor and post results

thanks everyone

 

[ZTEKNOLOGIES]

this is a log report from a HD monitor

Hmonitor Version 4.3.1.2 Pro
(Trial)
H/W diagnostics info:
Windows XP Professional Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Manufacturer: ASUSTek Computer INC.
Board model: Guppy
Version: 1.03
BIOS vendor: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS version: 3.08, Release date: 05/09/2005
Chipset: Intel 845GE
Vendor ID: 2A00103C
SouthBridge: 24C08086
SMB port used: 0500
CPU ID:0-15-4-1
BrandName:Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.93GHz
Internal Freq=2,933.0 MHz
External Freq=133.32 MHz
SystemBus Freq=533.3 MHz QDR
Multiplier=22.0
Thermo control configuration:
Full Throttle:100.0%
AMD Low Power modeisabled
Win 95/98 Idle Controlisabled
Device:None Throttle:25.0% Enable at:70.0°C Disable at:65.0°C
Main Sensor: IT8712F
Monitored data values:
Mainboard=24.0°C (0,Thermistor,0.0°C)
CPU1=61.0°C (1,Diode,0.0°C)
Temp3=29.0°C (0,Thermistor,0.0°C)
Temp4=xx.x°C (0,N/A,0.0°C)
Chassis=4218 rpm
CPU1=2518 rpm
CPU2=xxxx rpm
Power=xxxx rpm
Core=+1.33V
Aux=+1.50V
+3.3V=+2.54V
+5V=+x.xxV
+12V=+13.25V
-12V=-xx.xxV
-5V=-x.xxV
HDD1 temp=28.0°C HDS728080PLAT20 PF2OA28A

 

[wahnula]

Fans spinning when the system is running is normal. Fans spinning after the system is shut down is to remove heat before shutting off, like side-saddle car engines.

There are temperature-sensing fans:

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=75008

that really cut down on fan noise, chances are even at full speed they would be quieter than 2-year-old-never-cleaned fans. If it's the PSU fan get one of these:

http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=nx-3500.html

I have three PC's with this PSU within 10 feet of my super-sensitive ears including my rig (500 watt model) with six additional cooling fans, can't hear any of them. I also use a front panel to control case fan speeds like this:

http://www.directron.com/nxp305sl.html

These come with thermal probes that you can place so you know your throttling down does not affect cooling. Good luck with regaining your sanity!

Tony

"If it can't take it, I don't want it