Pentium 4 fan not turning.

[kio_http]

I've a pentium 4 cpu fan that used to work fine. Then it started to go on and off and get low speeds. Now its stopped. The fan doesn't smell burnt and there is no dust in it. Can it be fixed or do I need to replace it.

[Exodist]

LOL, better replace it and keep the PC turned OFF until you do. It only takes 3 to 5 secs to burn a CPU up without a heatsink and just minutes without good airflow on some CPUs.

P4s are one of those that run TO HOT..

[cascade9]

Your fan probably has seized bearings. It may be fixable, but IMO, its not worth the trouble and mess. A lot of the time fixed fans die way faster than it took for them to die the 1st time.

+1 on Exodists 'replace it', but your CPU shouldnt blow up, it should throttle. Best not to risk it though.

[The Funkbomb]

Gotta agree with the other folks. Sounds like a seized bearing. Very popular reason for a fan to go kaput.

Just replace it.

[kio_http]

Gotta agree with the other folks. Sounds like a seized bearing. Very popular reason for a fan to go kaput.

Just replace it.

The fan moves alright by hand only however.

[Exodist]

The fan moves alright by hand only however.
Hmm, very strange to burn out that way since all PC fans are brushless to keep down the static interference. But either which way, you should be able to grab a replacement fan/heatsink combo for 10US dollars. But if you do replace the heatsink as well, dont forget the new heatpaste. Sometimes it may not come with a new heatsink/fan unit. But most do.

[cascade9]

Brushless has no effect on bearings. Apart from Maglev (magnetic bearings) they all have bearings of some sort.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_fan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brushless_DC_electric_motor

'Seized' doesnt mean that the fan wont turn, its just the the amount of power required to turn the fan is less than its input power. Sometimes you can get a seized fan going again by spinning the fan, quite often its inertia and friction that stops the fan from spinning. Its still a good idea to replace it, even if a push starts it spinning.

[Exodist]

Brushless has no effect on bearings. Apart from Maglev (magnetic bearings) they all have bearings of some sort.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_fan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brushless_DC_electric_motor

'Seized' doesnt mean that the fan wont turn, its just the the amount of power required to turn the fan is less than its input power. Sometimes you can get a seized fan going again by spinning the fan, quite often its inertia and friction that stops the fan from spinning. Its still a good idea to replace it, even if a push starts it spinning.

I was referring to the fact other then the bearing/stater assy, a brushless motor has no other moving parts to wear out. But you are correct, seized doesnt mean froze up. The grease could have just dried out and its got to much drag to turn. :-)

[kio_http]

Fan replaced!:KS

[pwnst*r]

so... you just had another one laying around?

[kio_http]

so... you just had another one laying around?

No someone gave it to me.

[pwnst*r]

you must not live in the states. two hour turnaround is pretty impressive.

[3rdalbum]

If I were you, I'd keep an eye on your CPU's temperature, and maybe run the "cpuburn" program (with your fingers hovering over Control-C) to test that the new heatsink is as efficient as it should be.

Some LGA775 coolers are worse than the stock Intel one; and the newer stock Intel coolers (the ones that come with 45nm Core 2s) might not have the performance of the old Pentium 4 ones.

[LowSky]

you must not live in the states. two hour turnaround is pretty impressive.

Best Buy carries fans, so does Fry's and a few other places.

NewEgg isn't the only place we can get stuff... LOL

[cascade9]

I was referring to the fact other then the bearing/stater assy, a brushless motor has no other moving parts to wear out. But you are correct, seized doesnt mean froze up. The grease could have just dried out and its got to much drag to turn. :-)

Happens way to often. But its hard to avoid.

@ kio_http- did you just replace the fan, or the fan/heatsink? I'd take 3rdalbums advice anyway, even if it was just the fan. If its getting a bit hot, you can always just try to bolt a 80/92/120mm fan onto the heatsink (I wont matter if it hangs over the edges of the heatsink, if it does try to have the overhang over the northbridge...extra cooling there never hurts).

There was another way to get a nice, quiet, big fan to cool your CPU, and I've always loved them, but they got a bit hard to find (I think zalman stopped making them, or at least stopped importing them into my country)

http://www.bitbenderforums.com/imaginasian/Zalman_Mod/zalman.htm

[CharlesA]

Best Buy carries fans, so does Fry's and a few other places.

NewEgg isn't the only place we can get stuff... LOL

Last I checked Fry's didn't carry the older P4 heatsinks (478), but they probably do have 775 around.

Haven't seen any heatsinks at bestbuy.. maybe I was looking in the wrong area.

[xuCGC002]

Hadn't you replaced the fan, I would've suggested you upgrade your CPU. Is it 775 or 478?

[kio_http]

Happens way to often. But its hard to avoid.

@ kio_http- did you just replace the fan, or the fan/heatsink? I'd take 3rdalbums advice anyway, even if it was just the fan. If its getting a bit hot, you can always just try to bolt a 80/92/120mm fan onto the heatsink (I wont matter if it hangs over the edges of the heatsink, if it does try to have the overhang over the northbridge...extra cooling there never hurts).

There was another way to get a nice, quiet, big fan to cool your CPU, and I've always loved them, but they got a bit hard to find (I think zalman stopped making them, or at least stopped importing them into my country)

http://www.bitbenderforums.com/imaginasian/Zalman_Mod/zalman.htm

Replaced with another stock Intel fan.

[kio_http]

Hadn't you replaced the fan, I would've suggested you upgrade your CPU. Is it 775 or 478?

478. Its not for my main computer, so I don't want to upgrade. Mine has a 775 Pentium D.