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    Fan issue m17x R3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Banished Angel, Jul 4, 2011.

  1. Banished Angel

    Banished Angel Notebook Consultant

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    I received my laptop approximately 2 weeks ago and i've had it shut down due to overheating 3 times already. I wondered why it was overheating and noticed that only the right fan turns on, the left does not make noise or pass any cool air. Are there any fixes i can try before i have to call dell?

    CPU: 2630QM
    RAM: 8gb DDR3 1333mhz
    GPU: 6970M 2gb
    HDD: 640gb (2x 320 RAID 0)
    Screen: 1920 x 1080 60hz
     
    Banished Angel, Jul 4, 2011
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  2. ikarah

    ikarah Notebook Consultant

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    Had the same exact problem, your fan was probably blocked due to dust. You can open the laptop at your own risk and use an air blower to clean up the dust to get it running again. Otherwise you probably have to take it to alienware. In my case it was broken from the 3rd day one fan was blocked from dust. I highly suggest you take it back as they have a 21 day return policy.
     
    ikarah, Jul 4, 2011
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  3. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Remove the battery, remove 2 screws and slide away the bottom part. See if the fan runs smooth when turned with your finger and take a look at the connector if its fitted the right way. All easy things to check.

    If its not running smootly you fan is stuk and you should contact Dell to have it replaced.
     
    Brabostaan, Jul 4, 2011
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  4. Banished Angel

    Banished Angel Notebook Consultant

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    I ran the dell diagnostic and both fans worked fine, but when i boot into Win 7 and start gaming only the right one works and the left side gets very hot. I installed the 11.6 drivers and cap1 over the dell stock drivers and at this point i'm positive it's a driver issue, not a hardware one. Any recommendations?


    EDIT: I called alienware support and they insisted that a technician will come in the next 3-5 days to replace the fans and thermal paste.
     
    Banished Angel, Jul 4, 2011
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