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21 Posts
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238545
February 2nd, 2010 10:00
XPS8100 processor fan problem
Hi.
Last week i received my XPS8100. The system works fine but there seems to be a problem with the processor fan. It revs up to around 3500rpm every minute for a very short time: only a second or two. After that it's back to normal and silent operation. It does this almost every minute. I've installed a tool to check the cores temperature and that reads around 35 to 50 degrees celcius depending on processor load. I think that is normal for a stock cooler right? I've opened the case to make sure it is the processor fan. I performed the dell diagnostics and there seems to be no problem with the system, even the specific fan test passed with no problems. It's strange because it's only revving up for a second or two.
It doesn't matter what the pc is doing. The problem occurs when the system is just turned on after an extensive cooling down (ie a night off). Also when the system is idle. It even occurs when i'm in the bios screen. So when the pc is turned on the problem is there.
I called dells XPS support and they could help me at this moment. They told me that i was not the only one called about this behaviour and that i should check the support section on a regular basis to check for updates. That's fine, but i'm wondering if i can investigate a little bit more. I have these specs:
XPS 8100
i7 860 @ 2.8ghz, 12GB ram, nvidia 240GT, soundblaster x-fi titanium soundcard, 1.5TB harddrives, window 7 pro 64bit, bios A03 (appears to be the last version)
any ideas or suggestions?
TIA
Raymond
curtis s
9 Posts
0
February 19th, 2010 06:00
No your have a false positive. Dell dose not support the use of that utility. If your CPU fan cycles abnormally like every min. I found its the fan assembly. As replacing this fixes the issue with the abnormal intermittent fan speed.
This can be tested if you watch the fan speed with the cover off. Boot the bios let it sit and see if it cycles.
If you have those specific symptoms, In my opinion its the CPU fan assembly.
Gert_Hansen
11 Posts
0
February 19th, 2010 06:00
Based on the summary of advise, I called Dell.
They will not just send a repair set - they will send a guy to do the job.
I expect to see the guy Monday and I will advise on the reslut.
Gert
marcus83NL
8 Posts
1
February 19th, 2010 06:00
Do you have a utility that Dell does support?
And indeed by replacing the CPU fan (and heatsink) the noise problem is solved. So to all who have the Fan problem. Let Dell send you a new CPUfan!
Raymond_nl
21 Posts
0
February 19th, 2010 07:00
I also called dell today but will not get a new fan yet. so i'm very curious about the results. Please keep us posted.
i was thinking: maybe i should just get a zalman cooler and be done with it? But if it's a problem in the BIOS or software than the zalman will get the same issues. Maybe it's a tad more quiet tho :emotion-2:
Gert_Hansen
11 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 05:00
So I had the visit from the Dell Tech.
Replacement of fan took 3-4 min. and after new start the fan burst was gone.
I tried to read the part number and revision on the fan, but from the quick look both were A000 revision?
What ever caused the fan to burst is now gone.
Gert
Afeitadora
9 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 07:00
I'm using speedfan to get ahead of the fan-bursts by controlling the fan with the software.
In your case Temp1 and Temp3 are clearly sensors that are not connected, just ignore them. But the core temps are quite high and the Fan1 Speed still low.
There could be an offset error, mine have been 20°C to cold. You could try power down, let them cool down, restart then and start Speedfan. Now they should be around room temperature. But as you wrote you are in full speed and 100% clock usage so 76°C with a Fan at 1800 RPM is realistic. The Fan should speed up to 4500 RPM and cool it down.
You could try and configure Speedfan and control the Fan yourself with wanted temperature and suggested fan speeds. Worked for me.
Gert_Hansen
11 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 07:00
I understand that all readings might not be 100% accurate in Speedfan.
Cpu on all 8 sub cores are running 100% according to Intel even with over clock.
Gert_Hansen
11 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 07:00
I'm not sure if all things are well?
.
Here is my reading with the system at full speed after 10 min.
I would expect the fan to speed up above min.?
marcus83NL
8 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 07:00
That doesn't look good... But Dell Support told me that the program is not supported. And that I should not use it. It uses data from sensors that don't exist in the system... That might cause the strange numbers. Does the computer also show 100% CPU usage in task manager?
Afeitadora
9 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 08:00
I'm currently not in range of my XPS8100 and the Speedfan utility but in the Speedfan forums there are some tutorials how to configure everything.
You can assign different temperature sensors to different Fans and control them via desired temperature.
II tried to find out which Fan is the CPU Fan (in my case Fan1) then assigned the core temperature sensors to this Fan and and disabled the other sensors. (Especially Temp1 and Temp3) Then you can set up a desired temperature for the core0-7 and change the Fan1 from hardware controlled to software controlled.
If you want to, i could post some screenshots later when I'm getting home.
rasher101
4 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 09:00
Yes another xps8100 delivered today here in Ireland Speedfan also gives me a reading of 127C like the rest of you i will be watching this tread.
Best Regards
Paul
rasher101
4 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 09:00
Has anyone tryed runing Core Temp 0.99.5 or other cpu temperature cpu temperature monitors?
Paul
Afeitadora
9 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 10:00
CPUID Hardware Monitor shows only the connected temperature sensors.
~room temperature when idle, here with some load:
rasher101
4 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 11:00
Have you tryed Everest Home Edition 2.20 im just away from my pc right now so i cant, would be interested to see what you get:)
Best Regards
Paul
bboehm
5 Posts
0
February 22nd, 2010 14:00
I am on the phone right now with Dell support regarding this XPS8100 CPU fan problem. They asked me to run the F12 diagnostics at startup. Diagnostics reported an error code with my hard drive so in addition to replacing the CPU fan, they will be replacing my hard drive (I told them that this CPU fan problem was widely reported here and that others here have had it replaced to fix this issue).
I would recommend to anyone that has just purchased this system (or any new system) to run the F12 diagnostics and see if you get any reported errors. I haven't had any issues at all with my hard drive but diagnostics reported an error so might as well get it replaced since it is still under warranty.
I will report back once the CPU fan has been replaced as to what the results are.