CPU Fan Not working

[topsidechain]

Hey, i have a fairly new computer, only about 5 months old and today when i went to start it, i got a message on my screen saying that the CPU fan Failed. When i went to re boot it, i looked to see if it was working but it wasnt spinning. Is there something i need to do, or do i need to replace my fan?

[zCat]

Check that the fan is plugged in properly (the plug could have worked loose or something). If it still doesn't work, get it replaced ASAP (and avoid using the PC until then) - unless you're planning on getting a new CPU as well ;-)

[bobothecat]

Hey, i have a fairly new computer, only about 5 months old

If it's only 5 months old... I'd call whom ever you purchased it from, and ask for a replacement... on their dime.

Surely it would still be under warranty?

[coopster]

Depends on the purchase agreement. For example, DELL has a 90 day warranty you can elect on some of their computers.

And welcome to WebmasterWorld, topsidechain.

[bobothecat]

Here's a good read on Dell's warranty:

[pcworld.com...]

Nevermind... old report... and I can't seem to delete this message. :(

[topsidechain]

Thanks for all of your input, it is still under warranty, but is it difficult to replace a CPU fan by yourself? I have some knowledge of computers and how to put them together.

[kaled]

It's been a while since I replaced a CPU fan but here goes...

Some fans are fitted to the CPU and others clip onto the motherboard.

If the fan clips onto the motherboard it can be tricky to remove but very tricky to refit (especially without removing the motherboard).

If the fan clips onto the CPU, you can remove the CPU easily (by releasing the shiny lever) but replacing the fan may still be tricky.

If it's in guarantee, after checking for loose connections (and possibly bad bios settings) make use of the guarantee.

I'm talking about heatsink and fan combos, since it's not normally possible to obtain replacement fans alone.

Kaled.