17 R1, Windows 10, GPU fan not working

Oh I understand now.

Also, you may want to rename the folders on your desktop or crop the picture next time........ 

Sorry, I only just realised that you posted a screenshot of GPU-Z. The driver you're using is 399.xx which is a little old now. I would try installing a newer modded driver to see if this fixes your problem. If this doesn't work then you may want to look at flashing a different vBIOS using NVFlash (guides and videos available online). Flashing BIOS' isn't usually too difficult but it is risky. Apparently this vBIOS is a good one to try;

https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/178533/178533

EDIT: I have your device ID from the GPU-Z screenshot so I will mod the latest Nvidia driver for you tonight and post the dropbox link

Here is a driver for you to try.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bolqius6jfxlzvb/AAAce1S1PlLLECfZPUYVLrRWa?dl=0

It looks like GPU-Z shows your laptop ID as 05AA which is strange because my 17 R1 is 05AD. I added both into the file just in case. I don't have a 980M so I am unable to test the driver, hopefully it works for you. I think it could be a vBIOS issue anyway. If you follow the steps below perfectly and it doesn't install then I must have messed something up.

Instructions:

1. It's best to use DDU to uninstall your old driver (in Safe Mode) but you can probably install this driver without this step. I always use DDU though

2. Download the file from Dropbox

3. Restart your laptop and Disable Driver Signature Enforcement. To do this you fold down SHIFT and press restart. Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Startup Settings - Select 7 for (driver signature...I think)

4. The laptop will restart. Go into the Nvidia driver folder and navigate to the International Folder. Right at the bottom of this is the Setup.exe.Double click on this to start the installation.

5. If all goes to plan you will get a red/white warning message pop up. This is a good thing. Accept this and the driver will install.

NOTE: Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement is a must and the driver cannot install without doing this. If you restart the laptop after doing this it will reset back to default so if you restart without installing the driver then you have to disable it again.

After doing some reading on another forum, it could be that the vBIOS on your card is for the Slave (secondary) card on the AW 18 laptop. It's very possible that your card was pulled from an 18. The discussion was that the vBIOS on your card was specifically for the secondary card so it could mean that it isn't right for the 17. The vBIOS version I posted earlier should be the right one, if you are game to try flashing it. 100% up to you though as I never tell people to flash a BIOS as things can go wrong.

A bad flash can brick your card. Flashing the wrong one can sometimes make it harder to get it working properly again.

LMAO! @mattyb3 

Set the fans in high performance mode inside the bios.

Try the driver. Just follow the instructions and hopefully I modded it correctly. If that doesn't work then we'll try something else. 

I'm not sure that will be a solution or yes?

My graphic card is working i got +10 fps on a lot of games.

The problem i got is only the fan.

Changing bios and drivers will make fan working again?

You know your stuff @mattyb3.

Modding the driver is actually pretty simple but it can be confusing if you've never done it. It only takes 5 minutes to do. I had to learn how to do it since I've kept this M18x for so long. 

Man, those old Alienware laptops last for years. Plus the R3 motherboard for your computer I found it for $200 bucks @mattyb3.

Mine is the R2 while yours was called the R3 in some parts of the world. My board is currently in with a repair guy getting a new Sata connector soldered on. I can only ever find replacement boards for $300-400 and if mine can't be fixed then I won't bother with a new board. I'll put my 1070 into a 17.