8200 noisy fan problem

Question

My brand new 8200 seemed louder than it should be (sort of a constant buzzing sound). Called tech support after spending an hour or so perusing forum messages re:fan noise. Saw some messages re: bad Datech CPU fan (which confirmed I had by shining a flashlight into the back of the computer).

I explained the problem and suggested a non-Datech replacement. Was told by the tech that I would first have to open the computer and troubleshoot before a new fan would be installed. He also said it was only a problem with some fans in a particular batch and that I couldn't specify non-Datech.

Having never opened a computer in my life, and having purchased in-home support, I was shocked. He scolded me for not wanting to do this and said that my service agreement stated that over-the-phone troubleshooting has to happen before someone would be sent to my home. I hadn't even received the service agreement in the mail yet...Now, I can understand troubleshooting in every way possible EXCEPT by opening the computer. I am in no way qualified to do this.

Feeling stuck, I followed his instructions for removing the fan to isolate the problem. Unfortunately, his explanation of which parts I should open, lift, pull, remove, etc. was flawed. As was my interpretation of his explanation. The result was that I got the fan out, but ended up tugging at parts I shouldn't have been tugging. He told me not to worry because computers are "tougher than you think." Yeah, right. This process was painful and lengthy.

Anyway, the buzzing disappeared with the removal of the fan (duh) and he ordered the replacement part. I was not able to specify non-Datech. Thankfully, the replacement was non-Datech (I think it's NMB, but not 100% sure. Item # for the replacement fan is 7G538) and very quiet.

Pluses of this experience:
-fan was replaced two days after call
-replacement fan was very quiet

Minuses:
-condescending attitude of the particular tech I spoke with
-lack of clear service agreement explanation
-time lost to over-the-phone troubleshooting when I had already extensively researched the issue online.
-when I quoted messages from DellTalk, the tech said not to trust what customers are saying (implying you should only trust official Dell reps)

My advice to anyone with this problem is to stay tough and have confidence in your instincts about what is wrong. I think many tech support people approach you with the assumption that you misunderstood the problem or that you just want free parts or something.

macsen · Answer

Hi there,

Having the same problem as you had,but after removing the Dateck fan i could still hear a kind of buzzing sound,not as loud as before though.I would just like to know if your 8200 is compleatly silent now ? I think my n'vidia g force 3 graphics card fan also might be making a noise.

Chicoz · Answer

The whole fan assembly is a joke ; with that green movable
shroud and airbox . I called tech support and they admitted the problem is in the design . I build computers for people and
figured Buy a Dell ; I'm not cheap and I get a superfast PC that gives me a headache . They CHEAPED out by not installing a fan right over the heatsync like COMPAQ does .
I removed the fan and the bloody CPU overheated in a minute .
The new P4 2Ghz run extremely hot and when the tech support guy recommended removing the fan I nearly started laughing . I tried it and poof . Trying to rig a 3rd part fan over the heatsync but seriously Dayteg or whatever fan ; that was
a cheap and bad design . I vote for everyone who bought a
$3000 CDN computer to get a REAL heat sync and fan for free !

angelap789 · Answer

Hello,

What I hear now is more of a quiet hum that seems much more normal. You might try troubleshooting the other fan. You might also check to see that the fan(s) is hooked on correctly. Mine just hooks sideways (or down when the box is on its side) into the square grate holes on the back panel and seems surprisingly loose (it doesn't click in or anything). But, yes, the new fan seems to have fixed the buzz. Now I can focus on the sound card problems I'm having. Other than those two kinks, it's a pretty amazing machine!

Good luck.

Angela

kleinertje · Answer

I had the fan replaced several times by a technician, and the noise was only reduced slightly. Dell then agreed to exchange my tower, and the new tower is very quiet. I also have a Geforce 3 graphics card, so that is probably not the problem. I have spent my fare share on the phone and on-line with customer service and my general impression is that they truely want to help, but the extent differs from person to person. I think it is normal that they troubleshoot first to make sure it is the fan before they send a new part. A doctor is not going to prescribe medicine based on what you think is wrong either. Dell is a business after all, and ik makes sense to try to solve a problem the least expensive way. Once you let customer support go through their procedures, you can start suggesting alternatives. It is important ot stay calm and professional - yelling will definitely not help. If you truely feel that you are treated unfairly, ask to talk to a supervisor. Sometimes it is just a question of getting approval. I am a very satisfied customer now, despite all the time and energy I had to spend to get the problem fixed.

mfiore · Answer

I'm surprised that you had such trouble with customer service. I guess it really depends on who you get. The guy I spoke to didn't give me any trouble at all. I explained what the problem was, said I wasn't happy, said I had read about the Datech and NMB fans here, and he said no problem we'll send you a a new fan. The next morning, less than 24 hours after I called, the new NMB fan was delivered.

In my case the Datech fan wasn't terribly loud but I didn't like the sound it made and it also is a variable speed fan and I didn't like it changing pitch all the time. The new NMB fan is quieter but for me it isn't as quiet as others have said. I guess one drawback of the tool-free design is that the fan isn't screen tightly into place, so I guess some vibration noise. It is better than the Datech fan but not as quiet as my Dell system at work (a PIII system without the fan shroud design).

tdyrgrahams · Answer

I am surprised to still be reading about the noisy fan problems. I returned an 8200 in early November that was purchased in early October. It was a great machine, but I could not tolerate noise. I told the rep that I planned to buy another Dell when I stopped reading about the noisy fan in Dell Talk.

Christmas is coming and I still need two machines. One for me that has to have NT (or Windows 2000, or XP) for my business applications. The XPS T/500 just won't cut it anymore. The other is for my son who is a would be gamer, enlisted in the Navy, cashless, and stationed at a navel air station. I can wait and use my laptop for now but I need his before he visits for Christmas.

Not quite sure which direction to go now. My experience with support was positive. They worked hard to fix the problem, they just did not have a solution back then. Dell has great service, good warranty, great machine, good price, and a 30 day return policy. That is why I will definitely buy from Dell again, but only after the noise issue is gone.

PS - For those of you who did not experience it, please don't respond that a little noise is normal (well duh), this was like having a motor boat buzzing right on your desk.

Message Edited on 11/30/01 09:38PM by tdyrgrahams

Message Edited on 11/30/01 09:39PM by tdyrgrahams

grumpyolmrt · Answer

WHAT KIND OF SOUND CARD PROBLEM DO YOU HAVE?

willieb2 · Answer

Sorry, I just have to laugh. Webtalk is much more fun than Springer.

I purchased an 8200 in October. When I got the system I
had a loud buzz that I could hear in the next room.
I called two different tech guys,(on hold for 30 plus).
The both said that I had a high performance machine
and this was normal. They even had me hold the phone
to the machine and said the sound was normal.
I went to a computer store and noticed all of the Compaq's
were quiet. I had a tech guy replace the fan two weeks
ago, but it is still noisy and makes a buzzing noise.
What fan should I have, and is there a solution to the
problem? It is improved, but still annoying.
I was also told that I was the only one having problems with my upgraded HK speakers, cd burner and floppy drive. Hmm.

Stathis · Answer

I too have the same fan noise problem with my 8200.
If you unplug the fan's power cord the machine is very quiet. I tried taping a piece of neoprene on the side of the green plastic fan cover. This did not make any difference.
Fan cover is indeed a very poor design and very cheap.
Called Dell tech support twice. The first Dell guy gave me the run-around. The second tech guy said will send a technician to my house with a new fan to install. Hopefully this should work.

angelap789 · Answer

'I think it is normal that they troubleshoot first to make sure it is the fan before they send a new part. A doctor is not going to prescribe medicine based on what you think is wrong either.' Ah, yes. But, a doctor will not ask you to cut yourself open to see what you think is wrong before deciding you are worthy of treatment. I guess I imagined diagnosis as part of the service tech's role. After my first and only experience, I now realize that they are only supposed to switch the part, not troubleshoot. Too bad. Troubleshooting over the phone is ok for software problems, but I think it's inappropriate for hardware problems, since many people aren't hardware savvy. Angela

angelap789 · Answer

Hi,

I have the Soundblaster Live! Value sound card. My sound issues include an echo and crackle when logging on and off AOL (possibly AOL software related), occasional crackle while playing mp3's, and upon shutdown, I occasionally get a message about DEVLDR running (apparently, I'm not the only person experiencing this).

Angela

angelap789 · Answer

Unfortunately, you can't specify your replacement fan. The item # 7G538 appears on the invoice for my new, quiet fan. I also saw references to it online. I think the brand is NMB, but I'm not totally certain (I may have read about the NMB fan). The brand isn't printed on the back of my replacement and the the repairman took the box with him (oops).

Good luck.

Angela

drslack · Answer

My 8200 was making a noise like a motor boat. I called tech support and held the phone up to the box. Dell promplty sent me a new replacement CPU cooling fan (NMB model). That helped reduced the noise by about 50%.

The box still made more noise than I cared for. Upon close inspection inside the case I found the noise now was coming from the NVidia GForce3 video card cooling fan. This is the fan that changes speed with graphics load, such as scrolling or changeing from dark to light video.

I moved the Santa Cruz sound card from the slot that was cramping the airflow on Video Card fan to the only PCI slot left on the end. This provides more space for the Video Card cooling fan.

Finally the machine is making only the expected purring sound you would expect from the 3 fans inside. One fan in the power supply, one on the case for CPU cooling and the one on the NVidia Video card.

Anyway if you have a NVidia GForce3 and it is making noise like I described, you can't move the Video card (Only 1 AGP slot) move any card that is blocking the fan. Hope this helps!

Note: If you move a card to a new slot, upon startup your system will detect new hardware. Not to worry "Plug and pray" will reinstall it, hopefully!

Hope this helps. My system is now at a noise level that DELL should have figured out at the factory! Could be a whole assembly line of noisy computers is why they can't hear the problem!

cannibalman · Answer

did you make sure the audio hq ceenter was set right. maybe you could select digital out only.

cody19 · Answer

I also had fan problems with my 8200 when I called Dell tech he asked me to take it apart I said NO. I know enough about computers but sorry they build them I buy them! Simple. One day someone will get shocked and guess what! (whoops! dad forgot to unplug the computer?) I will say Dell handled my problem very well. A replacement NMB fan was sent and installed by a local tech and is quiet (not as quiet as some computers) it did cut the sound by 80% but it's like cars they each have there own sound. So, far I love my Dell 8200 and would buy it again!
cody19

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8200 noisy fan problem

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