PSU fan on high all the time

NewGirl · 10-08-2009, 07:37 AM

Hello! I have a Dell Dimension 9100. I can post more specs if needed.
It's just over 4 years old and hasn't had any problems until we moved last month. I noticed that the power supply fan would suddenly increase in speed (sounding like a hairdryer on high) and then stop. The ambient temperature has not changed, nor have I made any modifications/upgrades. I opened her up and cleaned everything. Then one day...the 'amber light of death'! With help from this forum and dell's online manuals, I unplugged the power cord, released the flea power, reconnected and got a green power light. (Motherboard light always green during all this.) But would not start up, power supply fan blasting on high, and diagnostic lights 2 and 4 lit. According to dell, this indicated a graphics card problem, so I removed and reinserted the card and cleaned some more. No leaks or corrosion noted anywhere. After this, the computer will start up normally, but the PSU fan is still running like crazy. I'm willing, and I think able, to replace and upgrade the PSU, but I wanted to see if there is anything else I should check first.
Thank you so much!

**Tyree** · 10-08-2009, 07:45 AM

Are you certain it's the PSU fan and not the CPU fan?
If it is in fact the PSU fan I would suggest trying another PSU if available or replacing the PSU with a Seasonic or Corsair.
A 4 yr. old OEM PSU is a good candidate for replacement.

NewGirl · 10-09-2009, 07:24 AM

Yes, it is definitely the PSU fan, not the CPU fan. I don't have another PSU to swap in, so I'll just go ahead and replace it with a better one anyway. It will be a while, but I will update in a few weeks and let you all know if I have success!

**Tyree** · 10-09-2009, 07:40 AM

I would to the swap as soon as possible. The PSU fan running on high indicates a heating problem in the PSU and that leads to failure. OEM PSU's are OK but not great quality and it could do damage to other hardware if it fails.

NewGirl · 10-09-2009, 10:56 AM

No worry, I have the computer off and don't plan to use it until I can replace the PSU. (Thank goodness for internet access at work.) Can't afford to have anything else fail, that's certain. Thank you again!

10-08-2009, 07:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
NewGirl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: windows XP	PSU fan on high all the time Hello! I have a Dell Dimension 9100. I can post more specs if needed. It's just over 4 years old and hasn't had any problems until we moved last month. I noticed that the power supply fan would suddenly increase in speed (sounding like a hairdryer on high) and then stop. The ambient temperature has not changed, nor have I made any modifications/upgrades. I opened her up and cleaned everything. Then one day...the 'amber light of death'! With help from this forum and dell's online manuals, I unplugged the power cord, released the flea power, reconnected and got a green power light. (Motherboard light always green during all this.) But would not start up, power supply fan blasting on high, and diagnostic lights 2 and 4 lit. According to dell, this indicated a graphics card problem, so I removed and reinserted the card and cleaned some more. No leaks or corrosion noted anywhere. After this, the computer will start up normally, but the PSU fan is still running like crazy. I'm willing, and I think able, to replace and upgrade the PSU, but I wanted to see if there is anything else I should check first. Thank you so much!

10-08-2009, 07:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: PSU fan on high all the time Are you certain it's the PSU fan and not the CPU fan? If it is in fact the PSU fan I would suggest trying another PSU if available or replacing the PSU with a Seasonic or Corsair. A 4 yr. old OEM PSU is a good candidate for replacement. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-09-2009, 07:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
NewGirl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: windows XP	Re: PSU fan on high all the time Yes, it is definitely the PSU fan, not the CPU fan. I don't have another PSU to swap in, so I'll just go ahead and replace it with a better one anyway. It will be a while, but I will update in a few weeks and let you all know if I have success!

10-09-2009, 07:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: PSU fan on high all the time I would to the swap as soon as possible. The PSU fan running on high indicates a heating problem in the PSU and that leads to failure. OEM PSU's are OK but not great quality and it could do damage to other hardware if it fails. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-09-2009, 10:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
NewGirl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: windows XP	Re: PSU fan on high all the time No worry, I have the computer off and don't plan to use it until I can replace the PSU. (Thank goodness for internet access at work.) Can't afford to have anything else fail, that's certain. Thank you again!