Oh gosh, don't tell me they are still having fan problems..... that is what happened to me when I bought my 8200 brand new.... went through two fans and then a power supply....... now thinking about ordering an 8400 this is making me nervouse!
The Dell fan is a proprietary unit, if you install a non Dell fan, you will receive a "Fan Failure" error messages at every boot up. You could request a replacement unit from Dell's Technical Support.
On kinda related issue - I recently fitted a Powerleap Pl-P4/N upgrade kit to my 3 year old Dell 8100 Dimension. As a result, my fan-less 1.4Ghz CPU has been replaced with a a 2.8Ghz CPU+Heatsink+Fan. The new Fan is a "no name" 70mm.
The CPU improvement in speed is good but the Fan that came with the upgarde kit is rather noisy and I have emailed many resalers and cannot find an alternative, quieter, 70mm fan.
I suspect that I cannot fit a bigger fan because the DELL has a big, bright-green, plastic shroud over the CPU assembly that acts as a ducting to direct the airstream from the case fan around the CPU and elsewhere. Now previously this shroud might have been essential - because the CPU was fanless - but now I ahve a CPU+Heatsink+fan I wonedr if it is still essentail. Without it I coudl use a 80mm CPU fan, perhaps.
Dell seem unhelpful and Powerleap do not see the fan as noisy. (or so they say).
Everything I read suggests that I cannot get a replacement 70mm quiet fan and there are all warnings that Dell uses proprietary (i.e. non standard parts) bits.
I will give up soon but if anyone has any tips ideas please, it would be much appreciated.
If you haven't already, you need to post this 8100 question over on the 'hardware upgrade' boards. The Dim8400 fan issue (while about noise) is entirely different.
If Dell arent going to give me any support, then perhaps I could just buy a new case, motherboard, and a new fan/heatsink, then stick all the dell parts in that.
I've got good news regarding silent CPU/Chassis fans for Dimension Series 8400! I just had a very competent Dell technician at my house to repair my noisy PC. He replaced the CPU fan....and....my system became remarkably quieter!! And, o wonder, it is a Nidec Fan, at least not a no name brand component!! The company Nidec Corporation in USA delivers fans to Dell, however, unfortunately only to replace the cheap and noisy ones, after customers have complained enough !! It can still be, that if the fan has been replaced, the technician also has to exchange the mainboard; such, because I suspect the fan control electronic circuit on the MB is also faulty or doesn't comply with the new Nidec Fan. How come? In my case Dell has to send out a technician one more time to check into my PC --> the fan's noise is now OK and on an acceptable level (!) but its RPM constantly goes up and down whenever some load gets addedd to the CPU. This RPM changes make a very high and annoying sound/noise, just like if the PSU would not deliver enough power. The Dell technician said ot me on his first onsite visit, that in most cases it is the control circuit on the motherboard.
My adivse: Stay technical but be persistant with Dell Support on the phone and have them properly fix your PC, especially when still under warranty!!
If your system is not under warranty any longer then....Check out this link: http://www.nidec.com/fans.html . You must pick one with four lead wires to stay compatible with Dell Dimension specifications (check also "Fan Circuits Signals and Controls" on the same website to really make sure, you order the proper unit.
If Dell is having all these problems with these fans and THEY KNOW they are.... Why the heck don't they just do it right the first time and put in a better part. For crying out loud, these noisey fan issues have been going on for at least 3 years and probably longer..... it would save them the trouble because people won't tolerate it and they will have to fix it anyway, and it would just look better for them. I don't want to buy a new one and end up with the same old once again!
"If Dell arent going to give me any support, then perhaps I could just buy a new case, motherboard, and a new fan/heatsink, then stick all the dell parts in that"
Then you will have to buy a new retail copy of Windows, Dell's OEM copy is tied to their BIOS.
I do not know exactly what model to pick. nidec knows for sure as they deliver fans in thousands to Dell. My be they even have a better mor quiet one when buying on a private basis?! At least the one the technician built in to my computer is definetely a Nidec with 4 control wires!
Dealing with Dell Support for one month now regarding the noisy CPU FAN (delta electronics). Due to several mistakes on Dell support I am now still waiting for a new CPU. First they promised me a replacement fan, and they did not show up. (whole day lost). Then I got 2? replacements FAN's, tried both, nada same problem.
Then they send me a heatsink, did not help either.
Told them it is most likely CPU, considering fact that it always runs on max speed, and the fan diagnostics is the only way to (temporarily) lower speed. Made appointment, they picked up my PC and I specifically told support to replace CPU. Those idiots made false diagnose (again) and replaced FAN (again, which does not work). After 10 days got it back, same problem, called and they said: "oeps sorry, now were are gonne pick it up again to replace CPU". I told them they should have done that the last time (they dont hardly listen) and I want to speak a responsible manager ASAP. I am sorry Sir thats not possible, but you will be called back within 48 hours (bla bla bla).
but anyway, my hope is new CPU will solve issue, heard others users had noise problem solved by other CPU, see also:
http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/17/98/179821_179821.pdf
ONe thing is for sure, this is my first Dell but definitely my last.
What a POC.
I called Dell Support again last Friday and I also sent them a comprehensive e-mail with an updated description of my, at that time, still exisiting Dimension 8400 Fan problem. I already told you guys in this forum, that, although the local Dell technician replaced the original fan with a noticable more quiet device from the company NIDEC, the fan would still race up and down and produce unnecessary noise.
On the phone Dell finally agreed to pick up my PC and have it shipped to my local Dell repair shop in Switzerland. I must say, those guys are very competent and effiecient, against others (!). You know what I mean, don't you?!?
1. They checked my PC and found my described problem as absolutely valid (most important!)
2. They went through a quick analysis dnd definetely found the MOTHERBOARD to be faulty! It was a bad chip which is responsible to measure the CPU's temperature. That chip reported false values to the fan control circuit which then caused the fan to go up and down ore blow full power without any reason. So I still believe, many of the still exisiting FAN issues could be resolved by having the motherboard replaced and the fan exchanged by one from NIDEC!
Make a long story short - the problem is finally fixed and my PC is quiet like sleeping cat!!
This repair took not longer than three business days from when I called Dell the last time .Thanks to the Repair Center!!
This add should encourage all of you who still have troubles to get their Dimensions quiet and smoothly working.
computergeekett
62 Posts
0
February 12th, 2005 16:00
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
February 12th, 2005 19:00
DG55.
The Dell fan is a proprietary unit, if you install a non Dell fan, you will receive a "Fan Failure" error messages at every boot up. You could request a replacement unit from Dell's Technical Support.
Bev.
Kevin789
8 Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 09:00
NVRambo
1.9K Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 10:00
DG55
17 Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 14:00
If Dell arent going to give me any support, then perhaps I could just buy a new case, motherboard, and a new fan/heatsink, then stick all the dell parts in that.
Airwolf1959
18 Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 15:00
Hi there
I've got good news regarding silent CPU/Chassis fans for Dimension Series 8400! I just had a very competent Dell technician at my house to repair my noisy PC. He replaced the CPU fan....and....my system became remarkably quieter!! And, o wonder, it is a Nidec Fan, at least not a no name brand component!! The company Nidec Corporation in USA delivers fans to Dell, however, unfortunately only to replace the cheap and noisy ones, after customers have complained enough !! It can still be, that if the fan has been replaced, the technician also has to exchange the mainboard; such, because I suspect the fan control electronic circuit on the MB is also faulty or doesn't comply with the new Nidec Fan. How come? In my case Dell has to send out a technician one more time to check into my PC --> the fan's noise is now OK and on an acceptable level (!) but its RPM constantly goes up and down whenever some load gets addedd to the CPU. This RPM changes make a very high and annoying sound/noise, just like if the PSU would not deliver enough power. The Dell technician said ot me on his first onsite visit, that in most cases it is the control circuit on the motherboard.
My adivse: Stay technical but be persistant with Dell Support on the phone and have them properly fix your PC, especially when still under warranty!!
If your system is not under warranty any longer then....Check out this link: http://www.nidec.com/fans.html . You must pick one with four lead wires to stay compatible with Dell Dimension specifications (check also "Fan Circuits Signals and Controls" on the same website to really make sure, you order the proper unit.
Good luck
Airwolf1959
computergeekett
62 Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 17:00
If Dell is having all these problems with these fans and THEY KNOW they are.... Why the heck don't they just do it right the first time and put in a better part. For crying out loud, these noisey fan issues have been going on for at least 3 years and probably longer..... it would save them the trouble because people won't tolerate it and they will have to fix it anyway, and it would just look better for them. I don't want to buy a new one and end up with the same old once again!
AKA
Elusivetooyou on these boards.
shesagordie
10 Elder
•
46K Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 17:00
DG55. wrote :
"If Dell arent going to give me any support, then perhaps I could just buy a new case, motherboard, and a new fan/heatsink, then stick all the dell parts in that"
Then you will have to buy a new retail copy of Windows, Dell's OEM copy is tied to their BIOS.
Bev.
DG55
17 Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 19:00
Kevin789
8 Posts
0
February 13th, 2005 20:00
DG55,
I have emailed Nidec following the tip from Airwolf. I will post the response if / when I get one.
Kevin
Airwolf1959
18 Posts
0
February 14th, 2005 18:00
Sorry Guys,
I do not know exactly what model to pick. nidec knows for sure as they deliver fans in thousands to Dell. My be they even have a better mor quiet one when buying on a private basis?! At least the one the technician built in to my computer is definetely a Nidec with 4 control wires!
Cheers
Airwolf
DG55
17 Posts
0
February 15th, 2005 00:00
I mean i've seen the ones available on websites and they are considerably smaller.
http://www.lowestonweb.com/Products/DisplayInfoMain.asp?e=D5868C42-8E6B-4815-A350-4C60B3D6B86F
DG55
17 Posts
0
February 15th, 2005 01:00
http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=34
He suggests a faulty heatsink, would it be possible to simply install a new heatsink into the system? Using the same Delta fan?
I suppose there are problems with the connection to the mobo.
NicoS
19 Posts
0
February 15th, 2005 14:00
Then they send me a heatsink, did not help either.
Told them it is most likely CPU, considering fact that it always runs on max speed, and the fan diagnostics is the only way to (temporarily) lower speed. Made appointment, they picked up my PC and I specifically told support to replace CPU. Those idiots made false diagnose (again) and replaced FAN (again, which does not work). After 10 days got it back, same problem, called and they said: "oeps sorry, now were are gonne pick it up again to replace CPU". I told them they should have done that the last time (they dont hardly listen) and I want to speak a responsible manager ASAP. I am sorry Sir thats not possible, but you will be called back within 48 hours (bla bla bla).
but anyway, my hope is new CPU will solve issue, heard others users had noise problem solved by other CPU, see also:
http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/17/98/179821_179821.pdf
ONe thing is for sure, this is my first Dell but definitely my last.
What a POC.
Airwolf1959
18 Posts
0
February 17th, 2005 12:00
Woh....I can't believe it !!
I called Dell Support again last Friday and I also sent them a comprehensive e-mail with an updated description of my, at that time, still exisiting Dimension 8400 Fan problem. I already told you guys in this forum, that, although the local Dell technician replaced the original fan with a noticable more quiet device from the company NIDEC, the fan would still race up and down and produce unnecessary noise.
On the phone Dell finally agreed to pick up my PC and have it shipped to my local Dell repair shop in Switzerland. I must say, those guys are very competent and effiecient, against others (!). You know what I mean, don't you?!?
1. They checked my PC and found my described problem as absolutely valid (most important!)
2. They went through a quick analysis dnd definetely found the MOTHERBOARD to be faulty! It was a bad chip which is responsible to measure the CPU's temperature. That chip reported false values to the fan control circuit which then caused the fan to go up and down ore blow full power without any reason. So I still believe, many of the still exisiting FAN issues could be resolved by having the motherboard replaced and the fan exchanged by one from NIDEC!
Make a long story short - the problem is finally fixed and my PC is quiet like sleeping cat!!
This repair took not longer than three business days from when I called Dell the last time .Thanks to the Repair Center!!
This add should encourage all of you who still have troubles to get their Dimensions quiet and smoothly working.
Yours
Airwolf1959