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    T400: fan fails after sleep

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by vimvq1987, May 28, 2012.

  1. vimvq1987

    vimvq1987 Notebook Consultant

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    I noticed that in recent day, after a long sleep (more than 1 hour, I think), my T400's fan fails to rotate, then CPU temperature increase quickly.
    If I restart it, after POST, it warns "FAN ERROR" and shuts down. If I boot it again, it runs just fine.

    Is there anything I can do to solve this?

    Thank you
     
    vimvq1987, May 28, 2012
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  2. Iron Eagle

    Iron Eagle Notebook Evangelist

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    After your second boot, when you say it runs fine, does the fan behave normally? If so then it sounds like it's software related. Try booting into Safe Mode and see if the problem persists. If it doesn't then you could reload Windows and try again.
     
    Iron Eagle, May 28, 2012
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  3. A1X

    A1X Notebook Consultant

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    I don't think it has something to do with the operating system - as far as I know the fan is controlled by the BIOS/Embedded Controller, if I'm not wrong. Most probably the fan it's dying. Anyway, you can replace it, not the entire heatsink+fan cooling system but only the fan.
     
    A1X, May 28, 2012
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  4. fatpolomanjr

    fatpolomanjr Notebook Consultant

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    This happens to my fiancee's Vaio from 2009, but I would have to test if it is due to being in sleep mode a long time. She does have it asleep most of the time. What makes the issue stand out is that her fan has been on nonstop since the end of 2010, so that when finally shuts the heck up it is very noticeable (we don't know whether to be happy or worried...).

    I ordered a $15 replacement from ebay in case it is dying, but if it is OS related I hope she doesn't get overheating and/or "FAN ERROR" errors as a result.

    Edit: I forgot to mention that after the fan turns off I go into sleep mode and wake it up to restore it. I can try restarting to the "fan error" message, but I'd rather continue waking from sleep to get it back started again.
     
    fatpolomanjr, May 28, 2012
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  5. vimvq1987

    vimvq1987 Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, after the second boot, the fan behaves normally (quiet, and keep the CPU cool). I'm not sure it's software related, because when I reboot, BIOS warns FAN ERROR (I assume that it can't start the fan?)

    Is this covered by the warranty?
     
    vimvq1987, May 29, 2012
    #5