Debilitating System Fan Issue

I had a similar issue with a T7500 a while back. Turned out that the Temp Sensor was going out. The fan kicking into high gear is basically a failsafe. the computer can't judge the temp correctly so it plays it safe and just blasts the fan on full. Now that I'm thinking about it tho, your fan may just have an old school short, considering it's pulling power. Try matching the fan size and speed first and go for the replacement. That would seem to be the less expensive fix for now. After that you can look into the temp sensors and all. One thing to help you is the diagnostics built into the system. Boot the system on, when you see the Alienware splash screen, press "F12". After that you'll see either diagnostics or ePSA or PSA+ in the menu, run that real quick and see if you get any blatant errors. BTW does any hate these stock Alienware keyboards as much as I do?

BTW does any hate these stock Alienware keyboards as much as I do?

I like the "low-travel" form factor, but the quality is very poor ... and not up to Dell standards. Mine only lasted a year (and yes, I kept it clean).

The Shift keys sometimes get stuck in the down position. I finally had to swap it out and stop using it because the internal BackSpace key contact went out. I would be typing and all of a sudden ... my text would start disappearing intermittently

I thought about trying one more ... but I see no way to buy one ... without going to eBay or surplus store ... which is just silly.

So, I installed a new system fan. The fan ran at 100% as soon as the system was completely booted up, I had about six minutes of time browsing the internet before the system shut down. Once again, completely cool system, none of the other fans were running high, just the system fan. So, while it cost me a bit of money to test this out, I can confirm its not a system fan issue.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

And while I appreciate the suggestions regarding overheating, the system isn't overheating. That's not the issue.

Could it potentially be a power supply issue? Could that somehow cause one of my three fans to run at maxed rpm for no apparent reason?

Maybe it is a MIO board issue for the fan control. Maybe Tesla knows how to rest the board if there is eben a option for that. But it sounds like the fan is getting a signal to run at max speed. Have you updated ACC lately? I wonder if that could be the issue. Or did you happen to use the resource disk to reinstall ACC? If you used the disk, could also be the culprit.

Maybe Tesla knows how to reset the board if there is an option for that. Sorry...typos on the above

And while I appreciate the suggestions regarding overheating, the system isn't overheating. That's not the issue.

So, what are your temps?

Need your model and system config.

Did you ever mention what model you have?

The new fan you installed ... was it an authentic Dell-AW OEM system/radiator fan?

It connects to the "top lighting board" (not MIO-Board). Do you have it connected to header "Sys_Fan" (Asetek Cooler - radiator or main system fan).

I'm pretty sure Dell Diags has an option to excercise the fans to make sure the control is working.

... my fan is peaking without cause.   It's working so hard, its pulling all the power from my power supply.   It's pulling so much power, my system is shutting itself down.

While the System/Radiator fan running at 100% is likely pointing to the problem, it would be near impossible for it to pull enough amps to make the power supply shut down.

If you press the Test Button on the back of the power supply, and it lights Green, the Power Supply is usually good. However, a digital Power Supply Tester is also good.

Are you using an APC unit to stabilize AC input power? Nicer APC units show voltage and amps/watts draw. You can also use a Kill-A-Watt.

May I suggest something.

I had this happen several times on my Area-51.  Take a can air and blow into the fan from below and above.  It almost seems like a sensor gets a piece of dust on it and then the controler cannot tell the fan speed so it cycles it to max power as a safeguard.

but you said you dusted your computer so I do not know.

I have not updated/reinstalled ACC at all recently, in answer to someones question above.

I'll double check to ensure that there isn't a clump of dust caught on anything. Could be something in a nook or cranny I missed, I suppose.

As I mentioned in the original post, my system isn't going above 22 degrees Celsius. The fan is spewing out completely cool air, even when my system is idling. It shuts down after about six or seven minutes, so little time that I'm afraid to try installing/updating any software, because there isn't a warning before it clicks off, it just does.

I have an Alienware Aurora, purchased two years ago that, aside from the system/radiator fan I recently replaced (which I installed and hooked up exactly like the stock fan, to the sys fan connection), has completely stock parts. What specifically do you need to know?

Used the Test button on the power supply, as long as I hold it down, its solid green.

I have not updated/reinstalled ACC at all recently, in answer to someones question above.   I'll double check to ensure that there isn't a clump of dust caught on anything. Could be something in a nook or cranny I missed, I suppose.   As I mentioned in the original post, my system isn't going above 22 degrees Celsius. The fan is spewing out completely cool air, even when my system is idling. It shuts down after about six or seven minutes, so little time that I'm afraid to try installing/updating any software, because there isn't a warning before it clicks off, it just does.   I have an Alienware Aurora, purchased two years ago that, aside from the system/radiator fan I recently replaced (which I installed and hooked up exactly like the stock fan, to the sys fan connection), has completely stock parts. What specifically do you need to know?   Used the Test button on the power supply, as long as I hold it down, its solid green.

Please re-read my posts carefully and act on them. If you are only reading 22c, you have missed my suggestions.

I needed to know if you had an Aurora or something else. Knowing the PS size, CPU model, video card make/model would all be helpful. If the new fan didn't come from Dell spare parts (and look exactly like the old one), re-install the old one. I believe some of these AW desktops case fans are unique.

Good to hear it's connected to the proper header. If incorrectly plugged into the CPU_Fan header ... it has been reported to run at 100% all the time.

Good to hear the PS check good internally. It's probably ok.

F12 on Boot

Boot to Utility Partition

Test System - Diagnostics

Custom Test

CPU Fan on/off

- This test will speed up and slow down System/Radiator fan. Mine shows between 1200-4000 rpm

- - You might have to exit Diags and reboot to get fan speed back down to normal.

There is another test right below it that will show stats on all sensors/fans. Maybe run that one first. In this test, the "CPU Fan" is correctly called "System Fan".

You can also play with the lights while in there to make sure the MIO-Board is working.

You can also burn a bootable CD with the latest version of Dell-AW Diagnostics, and use that instead.

Some of the system info you asked for. I'll include a fair amount of detail, as I'm not entirely sure what you're looking for:

Intel Core i7 920 (2.66GHz, 8mb cache)

ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB GDDR5

875W PSU

Alienware Liquid Cooling

If you need any more info, let me know.

I'll reinstall the factory fan soon, and try the Diagnostics you recommend. May not get around to it tonight.

I really do appreciate the help, and apologize if I've come off as rude.