TechSpot - PC Technology News and Analysis

Yeah, this error pops up every time I start my computer. It'll say this:

"Alert! Previous Fan Failure.
Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility"

And the entire screen is a blank, black color with this text only. I've been pressing F1 for a long time now and it lets me run my computer perfectly. I tried fixing this problem some time last year, asking the people over at Dell, but I ended up screwing up my computer, so I gave up. Dell really has horrible support. I guess since I just got a new hard drive, I don't want something to happen to my computer, even though I should have fixed this LONG ago.

Uhm... some basic information: Dell Dimension 4550, Windows XP, the problem started ~1 year ago.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

You really need to take the necessary steps to replace the failed fan or risk frying something. One of my PCs is a Dell which had a fan failure with the same message as yours. In my case it was replaced under warranty but if I had let it go, I might have fried my CPU.

Wow. Any links or guides where I can get information on what fan to get, etcetera?

get a 12v fan, that has the 3 connector piece and you should be just fine.

Er... Where can I get this? How do I connect it when I buy it?

when you disconnect your old fan (dell) will have the same exact connector piece.. Fans aren't a secret, trust me, everyone in computers who use fans use the same thing... There is no other fan connector.. on the motherboard i guess i should say.

Alright, so it should be pretty easy to spot it, it'll be connected to the motherboard? So take out the old fan (keeping the wires and such), replace with new fan, and connect wires/connectors?

Also could you recommend a reliable 12v fan brand with a 3 connector piece and around how much the cost would be?

Thanks!

There are different types of fans depending on the purpose. You can remove the failed fan and take it to a shop or computer supply store and replace it with the same size and type. I'm talking about the fan only, not heatsinks. The wires and connector come with the fan so you just unplug the old one and connect the new one.

Note which motherboard connector the fan is attached to. There are usually more than one.

Heatsinks? Do I need to get one of those?

Any fan should be compatible as long as it has 3 connectors, right? Are there any reliable brands that sell fans which you could recommend me a good one?

Lastly, it's the fan connected to the motherboard, correct?

Thanks!

No. As I said before, there are different fans. You could have more than one fan (two) on the motherboard. The main one is the CPU fan and the other would be the much smaller northbridge fan. You'll have to tell us which is not working. Check Newegg.com for fan types, sizes and prices. Keep in mind you shouldn't use a case fan for the CPU, for example. BTW, your motherboard could have other fans connected to the motherboard but not actually on the motherboard such as a case fan. If any of them failed, the BIOS might detect those as failures too. You just have to visually check all your fans to see which as failed. If it happens to be a case fan, that would be an easy fan to replace.
Yes, most likely. But as I said, there is more than one possibility.

If you can find an appropriate replacement fan, you don't need to replace the heatsink too. I only mention it so you don't automatically remove the heatsink with the fan. Just remove the fan. If you remove the heatsink, then you have to clean it and apply fresh thermal compound to the heatsink before reinstalling it. But keep in mind only the two motherboard fans (if you have two) have heatsinks. If a case fan is powered by a motherboard connection, there is no heatsink to worry about.

Okay, thanks! But how do I check which one is failing? Do I run my computer while the case is open and just visually check?

Yep.

Also, If it is your main CPU fan, then you may have to order a special fan. Dell uses this weird green plastic shroud that directs airflow from the Heatsink to the main fan in the back.

For example look Here

Lol, I'm a fan noob. I'll just check which one is failing and post here? What information do you need? Like... "the fan on my motherboard" is failing, or maybe there's #'s on the fan?

Sorry and thanks!

Okay, well, I checked anyways. The fan right above this cubish, silver thing with layers jetting out about the length of a pinky (I'm guessing it's the heatsink). A white/black/red twisted wire connects the Motherboard and fan. And it has a green colored lid thing covering it. It's the same one at this link: http://www.pcsurplusonline.com/viewprod.cfm?id=5835 that AtK SpAdE gave.

So... any suggestions?

Sooooo, I'm guessing I should just visit a local store and get that fan.

All I need to do is take out the old one and pop in the new one? Start my computer and I'm good to go. No need to run any programs to install the fan or anything?

hey there Sake and others -- I have the same problem and have been getting a runaround from my local repair shop. Also a Dell 8200 getting this "Alert! Previous Fan Failure. Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility" on boot, then if I proceed the system runs very slow. They said I needed to reinstall my OS? Does that make any sense? (background -- I had no boot whatsoever a week ago, in advance of this problem, and they changed my video card. A few days later the "Alert" message started)

Would like to know if and how the problem in the above thread was resolved -- thanks!

i'm having the same problem too. I just checked out ebay, so i might give one of these a shot http://search.ebay.com/dell-dimensio...opZ1QQsbrsrtZd

Open the case up, ensure what fan is not spinning. If its the fan on the heatsink for the processor (fan on thing stickign up off the motherboard that isnt' a card) then yes, that can explain why your system runs slow. Modern CPUs have throttling when they aren't cooling properly to keep them from reaching damaging temperatures.

The ones Enrique linked on ebay will work just fine. If its the one with that green cup on it that is failed, then yes that is what you need to buy. If its a bigger one, those are just regular 80 or 120mm case fans, and don't buy from that ebay link because thats too expensive, even Staples sells cheaper and better case fans.

Just found this by googling that "previous fan failure. strike f1" error. That's after replacing the case fan, but not before. The one I bought was Antec SmartCool 92 mm. It has a connector to the PS and a signal wire to the MB. I thought that would prevent the Dell error, but it hasn't. I guess Dell's have "special needs".

Anyway, 92 mm is the correct size for Dell Dim 8200, and probably several other models. But you probably won't get rid of that error unless you figure something out that I haven't. I'll check back if I find anything out.

EDIT: I should have checked the next google result first. Disable Keyboard failure reporting in the BIOS setup. You'll still get the error, but it only lasts about 1 second, and you don't have to press F1. Oh, and replace your case fan first

Yes I can agree with benthere this is NOT a hardware problem -- I inspected the fans they were all working fine (actually my pet theory is that a fan I had outside pointing at the back of the box may have been turning the power supply fan the wrong way?) anyway rebooted a bunch and fiddled here and there and honestly don't know what the pivital action was but the message stopped and the comp is running better than ever (?) anyway good luck all!