CPU fan not working properly error message

Today I noticed that the computer, which I always leave on, had shut off during the night. When I turned it back on I heard a churning sort of noise, heard 2 beeps and saw that it said (the only thing on the screen) "CPU fan not working properly".
After I opened the computer case I saw that the CPU fan was turning, but it might have been turning too slow.
Do I have to change the CPU fan? Can anything else be going wrong?

Thank you in advance

 

Was it really dirty? If it spins too slow or at a rate the mobo doesn't like, you'll get that message.

 

If cleaning does not help, definitely replace it. You can try blowing it out with a can of compressed air to see if that will help.

 

I cleaned the fan, and it seems like it's turning normally, but again, after I turn the computer on it tells me how much RAM the graphics card has, then flashes the cpu fan problem.

So you guys say i should get a new fan...any chance that anything could have happened to the cpu itself?

thanks again

 

It sounds like the fan or maybe a sensor on the motherboard. One thing you could try is to unplug the fan and then plug it right back in again before trying. It is possible some corrosion has built up on the connection and that would take care of that.

 

My fan rests on the heatsink, do I have to replace that too?

 

It's best to remove the heatsink when replacing the fan. You don't want to be exerting any unnecessary pressure on the cpu while removing the fan and screwing it back onto the heatsink while it's on the cpu.

No need to replace the heatsink itself but make sure you apply some good quality thermal paste before re-installing it.

 

mmmm. mabey it being on all the time and the fan slowly deteriorating made the CPU overheat and die. If replacing the fans doesn't work that might be it.

 

it was the motherboard and cpu. I bought a new set and installed everything and turned it on, but nothing happened. The fans inside were turning but nothing showed up on the monitor. I'm using my old RAM. What could be wrong now? Could it be that my RAM is messed up also?

Thanks guys

 

You can't change the mobo and cpu and just expect it to work. Set the comp to boot from the CD-rom in BIOS. Boot with the system disk. If you have XP or some Windows, try a repair install. If that doesn't work, you should do full instalation. Hope you backed it all up...

 

What type of ram does the mobo support?

 

It supports only DDR SDRAM, and the RAM that I put in was DDR PC2100 266 MHz.. which the mobo manuals says it works with.

 

Clear the cmos by moving the jumper on the motherboard, then moving it back.

 

I cleared the CMOS...same thing happens. Nothing shows up on the motherboard, no beeps, the only things you can see is the cpu fan spinning

 

If you are sure everything is secure in it's slots....then, I'd rip it back out of the case and hook it up on a flat non-static type surface and test the basics. Once you get a post beep, start adding things.