Processor fan stops mid-boot when cold booting?

[Mateo1041]

Hi everyone,

I recently built a new computer, but have noticed the processor fan stops right before booting Windows XP (yet it works during the posting process, etc). This only happens when doing a cold boot and when the computer has not been on for a while.

What could cause this? I don't see any other cables I forgot to plug in to the motherboard. Is it not getting enough power, yet if so, why only on a cold boot-up?

I have a Gigabyte K8NS Ultra-939 motherboard with AMD Athlon 64 processor.

Any ideas or comments would really be appreciated.

Thanks,
- Matt.

 

[micker377]

Does the fan start-up and run after XP loads?

 

[Mateo1041]

Once the fan goes off after posting during a cold boot, it stays off (so far) until I reboot (even when in Windows XP). Once I reboot, it starts up and continues to run fine until the next cold boot when the PC has been off for a while.

 

[wooglin]

I would make sure the bios is updated, as it controls the fan speed. It could be sensing low temp at boot and shut the fan off, but something is stopping it from restarting the fan.

You definitely don't want that Athlon running for long without the fan running. You'll try the cpu and possibly the mobo.

 

[cdogg]

There might be a setting in your BIOS that controls this. Look for one that you can change to keep it active at all times.

Are you sure it only comes on after a reboot?

As a test, the next time you cold boot, warm restart the PC immediately after XP finishes loading. Did the fan stay on this time? Perhaps it's only coming on after the CPU gets hot?


~cdogg
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[Mateo1041]

It is pretty consistent in that it stops right before it begins loading Windows XP (but after posting, etc). It does not come back on, even after Windows loads. When I restart, the fan continuously runs until the next cold boot when the machine has been off for a while.

I have been pretty careful regarding this problem and always double check (I have a clear panel style case).

Although I'm hesitant, I can try updating the motherboard firmware if all else fails. I've had bad experiences with this in the past. It should be very new, but you never know if a bug existed.

I've checked BIOS settings and have not seen an option to have the fan continuously run. There is a "smart fan control" option, so I'll try disabling that and see what happens on the next cold boot. I did have a warning enabled initially that alerted me to this problem in the first place.

 

[wooglin]

On Asus boards the Smartfan (Q) controller ramps the fan down after post, and only ramps it up again for increased CPU temp. It never shuts the fan off though - that would be a huge no-no.

I've read that on some boards (with fan controllers) if the fan shuts off, it can have trouble restarting due to the need for a minimum voltage.

Definitely update the bios. It shouldn't be that destructive

 

[micker377]

Have you tried a new CPU fan?

 

[Mateo1041]

No, I have not. This fan is brand new. But it is an idea to try after I double-check my BIOS later today.

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions and comments so far!

 

[paparazi]

Mateo1041
All I can say is "cool n Quiet"
There does seem to be some teething problems generally with this technology and most of the socket 939 motherboards (incl my MSI K8 Neo2 Platinum 7025) I'm guessing also this Gigabyte, have bios revisions that include improvements with "Cool n Quiet" control.
This technology slows down the CPU fan, you set the thresholds in the bios? or special utility supplied by Gigabyte?
If you think about it, slowing down the CPU fan (lowering the voltage to the fan) has all sorts implications, especially if your fan is using other means to thermally control itself.
What heatsink/fan are you using, is it a slow spinning 80mm unit.
Differant fans have differant start up voltages, it might be that the fan is recieving a too low supply to start up after spinning down and the "cool n Quiet" thresholds set too high that the temps aren't high enough to reach the start voltage for the fan.
I would be tempted to try out a common 60mm fan on the CPU header (standard 5,000rpm type) see if the control is the same, check out my theory.
But definately flash the bios, there are usually a host of improvements to be had with a motherboard as new as this.
Anyway, with Gigabytes dual bios chip this board is amoungst the easiest and safest to update.
Just needs the flash bin file putting on a floppy, enter the bios, hit Qflash utility (built in flash utility) take the highlight down to main bios rom (something like that) press enter, flash, turn off, restart, reset bios, job done, takes 2/3mins.

Martin


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[Mateo1041]

Thanks paparazi. No, I don't think it is a "cool n Quiet" anything. I don't recognize the terminology. But it is from Gigabyte and is one of their newest. I assumed it was just a standard fan.

I'll report back when I find out more.

 

[paparazi]

Mateo1041
You misunderstand me.
Cool n Quiet is a new technology built into the latest Athlon64 processors and implemented on ALL socket 939 motherboards.
You definately have cool n quiet!
See AMD's description of this new technology:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_9485_9487^10272,00.html

See also this info from Gigabytes own site:

http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Support/TechnologyGuide/TechnologyGuide_74.htm

This is also next to your motherboards description:

AMD Certified Cool'n'Quiet supporting Motherboard
This platform certified by AMD for supporting its Cool'n'Quiet feature on the Athlon64. With dynamic CPU voltage control, this platform dramatically reduces processor power consumption without degrading system performance. Please update the latest processor driver and motherboard BIOS before enabling the Cool'n'Quiet function.
Download the processor's driver

http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-K8NSNXP-939.htm

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Mateo1041]

Oh, I see.

I did go into the BIOS a few days ago and disabled the "smart fan control" option. My fan now works just fine without any problems. It looks like something related to this option was causing it to stop working.

I'll still update the BIOS as soon as I get around to it.

- Matt.