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General discussion

Computer Beeping

Dec 3, 2003 12:10PM PST

My computer has begun to not boot up and just beeps (1 beep / pause / beep beep beep/ pause / beep beep beep / pause / beep ). I looked it up and thought it was a memory or video problem. Since I recently installed a new graphics card, I took it out and reset it again. This time, when I turned it on, it booted up and said "CPU fan failure", but kept booting up. However, I can still hear the fan running. Obviously, now, the computer is working fine, but I am still curious as to what is going on and if my computer will break now because I am continuing. Any help would be great! Im at wits end.

:evil:

Discussion is locked

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CPU FAN FAILURE = BIG BUCK REPAIR IF IT HAS FAILED!
Dec 3, 2003 8:36PM PST

Some don't distinguish between the power supply fan and the CPU fan. This are two different fans. Failure of either will result in costly repairs.

You need to fix this.

Bob

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?????
Dec 3, 2003 9:31PM PST

A CPU fan, depending on the CPU, can usually be had for around $20. A new power supply can usually be had for around $50 (for a decent one). While no one likes to pay anything more than they have to, these are hardly what I'd call a "big buck repair" given that it's a small fraction of the cost of the entire computer either way. You could reasonably replace both for under $100, which is getting towards "big buck repair" but not quite there yet.

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(NT) How much for a new CPU?
Dec 3, 2003 10:30PM PST

.

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[NT] Hey yewanchors, you TOTALLY missed the point as Keith says.
Dec 4, 2003 7:03AM PST

.

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Re:CPU FAN FAILURE = BIG BUCK REPAIR IF IT HAS FAILED!
Dec 4, 2003 6:11AM PST

Perhaps I am assuming it is the power supply fan. Where is the CPU fan?

By the way, I have had the computer on for a loooong time now (the 2nd day since it gave me the message), which now no longer gives me that alert when I boot up (and I have booted up several times since then).

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I am assuming that it is a somewhat newer computer
Dec 4, 2003 7:25AM PST

whose CPU requires forced air cooling [the early PII's could work fine with a passive cooler, a heat sink without a fan.]

The CPU is the heart of the computer a small"chip" that usually can't actually be seen because it usually is totally covered by a heat sink and a fan assembly {HSF].

One problem nowadays is that the fans have far less life than the other components. It is not unusual for a fan to hang up at start one day and never hang up again for a month. But they eventually will fail. Many systems have cheaper fans with a bushing instead of ball bearings. Always replace them with a ball bearing unit [extra 2 bucks].

You really should open the case and look around. You may find dust balls etc that are on the verge of clogging fans or air intake places.

The modern hot running CPU type systems really need to be looked over internally periodically to prevent loss of adequate cooling and failure of the CPU et al.

That's what Robert was alerting you to.