Fan Question

Hey guys,

This seems like a pretty stupid question, but i'm going to ask it anyway just to be on the safe side:

Is the fan supposed to spin? I've never seen it spin. It sounds like the fan is working. Just don't see any mechanical action.

Thanks for you input.

 

If you can hear it then it's spinning. Do you feel heat from the exhaust vent? Something that spins at 5000+ RPM cannot be seen.

 

I do feel heat coming from the exhaust, but the fan is definitely not moving...

 

You should phone DELL to explain the situation, i wouldn't use the machine until it's fixed. There might be some programs you could d/l which allow you to manually control the fan, probably worth insolating the issue to be sure it's a hardware problem.

It rarely spins on idle, put on a game to check for sure - Run HWmonitor in the background and send us some temp readings.

 

I'm unsure of what an average temp. is but i'm fairly sure HW tests are too high:
processors: 104 degrees F
GPU: 123 degrees F

Too high?

 

Entirely normal, It's running at the same temp as my M11x, infact - if you're gaming it's REALLY cool. Are you sure that the fan is stationary at this temp? Try the most demanding game you have. My CPU temp is 131 deg F when i'm playing Crysis.

 

Absolutely positive.

Well, those are the temps clocked in while playing Rome: Total War. The next best I can do for you is Starcraft 2. I'll get back to you shortly.

 

If you're gaming the fan should be on, it's a simple as that - Turn your sound off and you must be able to hear something, the CPU wouldn't be at that temp if the fan wasn't working at all. Next stage would be to manually activate the fan.. not sure which program will allow you to do this.

 

playing starcraft 2 i received the following temps:
processors-- 132
GPU--152

 

Okay, your GPU appears to be quite hot.. if you're 100% sure that the fan isn't working at those temps i'd get someone to look at it.

 

the gpu actually jumped to 156. it'll call Dell later. Thanks for your help.

 

Yeah, it's obviously not working.. my highest GPU temp recorded to date is 147 on a sweltering hot day whilst playing DiRT 2. GL, hope your fan is replaced quickly.

 

can you see the stationary fan blades? they are easy to see if they aren't moving and are illuminated by the alienfx lights.

 

If you can stand it for a day or two, I'd advise to avoid using your system until you can get the thermal module replaced. The fan absolutely should be coming on. Tech support should be able to get someone out to you within a day or two.

Brian
Alienware Quality

 

i contacted dell today-- it wasn't pretty. after 25 minutes of "speaking" with a representative i got absolutely nowhere. she told me the laptop would have shut off and that "Those are normal temps.", etc, etc.

well, based on the information i received here, i pushed on finally talking with a supervisor who told me the same thing. eventually i told him his customer service was poor, yada, yada, yada. new fan should be in by wednesday.

thanks again guys!