Computer Cooling Fan Help

by **Trever** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 2:46 am

My old computer I dont use much but it blows out a ton of air and sounds more like a hair dryer running on low than the quiet no sound that my new dell computer does. The old computer has always been loud and blew out a ton of air but I noticed yesterday the fan inside the power supply isnt moving. There's a fan below that which is spinning just fine and a ton of air is coming out those holes.

My question is does the fan in the power supply only run if the system gets hot or is it broke and needs to be fixed and is it important to my system? it seems to run fine and everything and blows out alot of air but my dell computer doesnt show any fans in the back so I dont know why my old one needs 2 fans to run at once. My old is a Compaq Presario 5430US - I only use it because of my TV Tuner card - my new computer is a low profile thing that my TV Tuner card will not fit in so I have to use my other computer for that. If anyone knows I appreciate the help. Thanks

by **shockwave203** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 3:17 am

it may be dangerous to continue using a power supply without a working fan.

usually if the fan stops, the PSU will overheat and will just turn off. yours doesn't sound like it's overheating...but I'd still be on the cautious side. in my old computer, the fan in the power supply died but I kept using it anyway. one dayI could smell burning all the way upstairs. the PSU (which is in the basement) was starting to burn, so it can be dangerous to use without a fan.

by **Trever** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 4:15 am

thanks. Any idea how much it costs to replace?

Also, I only use that computer for maybe 5 minutes at a time and put it in sleep mode where nothing is running until I turn it back on - the most I might use is 2 hours with it on when I'm recording a movie or something - so is it still dangerous if you only used it every once in a while for 5 minutes or once in a while at 2 hours and most of the time being off?

by **Darnoc** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 7:49 am

Turn PC off and hold a vac tube right up to the PSU fan. Many time they just need cleaned

by **Bullhead** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 11:15 am

If it's not spinning (ever), then it's likely dead. Most PSU's that I've seen with temp-sensing fans which change their speed based on temps will never turn off completely, just spin really slow (and quiet) or faster.

That being said, if you're planning on replacing the fan inside, BE VERY CAREFUL while doing so. Some of the capacitors inside there contain enough juice to kill you (or seriously hurt you). I've not taken one apart, but everything I've read on doing so says the best thing to do is to unplug the psu from the wall, and let it sit for as long as possible, preferably a day or more, to allow the capacitors a chance to lose their power. Most PSU's use an 80mm fan size, so any 80mm should work, but will likely need to be soldered onto the psu pcb, or spliced into some wiring, to get it powered up.....

May just be easier/safer to buy a nice new psu.....

by **Trever** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 11:22 am

awesome......

ok what does PSU stand for and what does that cost to get replaced and do I do that myself?

by **Agent-Commando** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 11:32 am

PSU = power supply unit

As for the cost, it varies from maker to maker and the maximum amount of watts it puts out.

Stick to good brand names like Enermax, Kingwin, Vantec, and the best of the best, Antec.

Do not ever ever buy a no name PSU as those can do havoc on your system one day, unless it's gotten a positive review from a reliable hardware site, do not buy no names or unknown names for that matter.

I have been using an Enermax 350w PSU for the last 2 years and it's been totally reliable.

by **Evan** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 12:47 pm

If you've got a Dell, get Dell to replace the PSU. Any other PSU may fry your system!

by **Trever** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 1:58 pm

My new computer is a dell but that computer isnt the problem - the old one which is Compaq presario 5430 is the problem and needs to be fixed

by **Bullhead** » Sat Apr 24, 2004 2:59 pm

throw it away. Compaq 5430 is of the old proprietary generation. As best as I can recall, the case design for that one is just custom enough to make a standard, off-the-shelf ATX power supply not fit. Your two options, if that is the case, is to either order a new psu from compaq (at a hefty fee I'm sure, for a p.o.s. power supply), or to transfer everything in the case (motherboard, cards, drives, etc.) into a new case with a new power supply (which would run you around $100, but is no easy task for the novice pc person......

Computer Cooling Fan Help

Computer Cooling Fan Help

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