PC repair guide: CPU fan issue reported despite passive cooling.
PC repair guide: CPU fan issue reported despite passive cooling.
Hi, I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I had an old computer that I thought could be useful, like turning it into a VS Code server for myself. Eventually, I cleaned up the dust and got it ready. Something interesting happened: the CPU cools itself passively. It doesn’t have a fan, but when I power it on it makes a single short beep and then shows an error saying "Fan failed," which stops it from running. I can’t fix anything, not even change the BIOS settings. The fan connectors on the motherboard are open and straight, not shorted. This setup has always been this way, and it used to run without a fan too, so I’m not sure the lack of cooling is the issue. For more info, the machine is pretty old: motherboard model MS7525 v1.0, processor Pentium Dual Core, no GPU detected.
Ensure your CPU has a connection point for the fan header to power it on and access BIOS without seeing 'Fan Failed.' Try connecting any available fan to the header and check for a boot. The CMOS battery could be depleted, possibly resetting BIOS if you haven't used it recently.
It might be feasible that the case fan directed airflow past the CPU cooler, and the presence of a case fan is essential. Could you specify the PC model you're referring to?
Will try to get a fan from a friend's pc then. Hope it fixes the problem cox the cpu is drawing current i barely suspect anything to be wrong with the mobo
Uuh... you see... my stuff... has only 1 fan... and that is in the PSU ... no cpu fan, no case fan... it is purely passively cooled... apparently no GPU and a dual core doesn't produce much of heat. That is what the company gave us, we bought a prebuilt pc from Compaq back then. I don't know any model number or stuff, but i have mentioned the mobo and cpu at the bottom of the main post.
The older machines still had a case fan blowing air through them, even using the PSU vent to release it. You’re certain the PSU fan wasn’t stopped? Did you check inside to find a mounted fan with a shroud directing air to the CPUs? In most BIOS settings, you could turn off the CPU fan warning, but if it remains enabled and the system doesn’t detect it, it might block startup or cause a shutdown. I’d think your passive fan likely wasn’t noticed—maybe it stopped or is hidden.
I don’t have a fan at all... which is unexpected too, especially when I first opened the PC. I’m sure it’s been untouched since the company added everything. That tiny piece on the CPU is just a passive cooling heat sink with no fan. I verify it by removing it. VID-20230713-WA0002.mp4