How bad is it to run my computer with a dead PS fan?

[Yossarian]

I just noticed that the fan in my Antec 400W power supply died. No idea how long it's been like this. Do you think it's hazardous for my computer to run it with no fan for a few days until I can get a replacement? I'm using MBM with shutdown temps set for the cpu and case temp.

Athlon XP 1800, GeForce 4 Ti4200, 512 MB RAM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, 2 HDDs

 

[zsouthboy]

BAD BAD BAD!

Your powersupply gets hot enough to catch on fire!

DON'T use the computer until you get a replacement....... or if you MUST use it, make sure you are RIGHT there ALL the time, so you can pull the plug.

 

[DanFungus]

Originally posted by: zsouthboy
BAD BAD BAD!

Your powersupply gets hot enough to catch on fire!

DON'T use the computer until you get a replacement....... or if you MUST use it, make sure you are RIGHT there ALL the time, so you can pull the plug.

^^ what he said. If you have a case fan, you can wire it from the powersupply power (either from inside or from one of the molex connectors) and stick it inside the PS so it'll get air.

 

[Yossarian]

Actually I'm not sure now whether the fan is dead. I see the label has "smart fan" on it which I understand means that the fan is temp controlled. How can I test whether the fan is nonfunctional or just not required for my current temperature?

My case's interior temp is 28 C, the top of the PS housing is warm to the touch but not hot. Should the fan be on?

I emailed these questions to Antec but you guys are faster

 

[zsouthboy]

The fan should always be on, the SMART FAN thingie just slows it down or speeds it up depending on the temperature.

 

[RIGorous1]

it doesn't matter if its a "smart fan" I have 4 temperature controlled fans (now replaced by vantec stealths) and they all have a minimum rpm rating ... I don't care if your computer is 0 Kelvin, your fan would still be running... don't mess around is my suggestion... lets put it this way 400 watts is equal to the luminocity of a handheld helicoptor spotlight I wouldn't mess around with the heat that's produced from that... and take my word (I've been electricuted and PS burned before... not fun unless your a sadist). Also don't open your power supply!!! eventhough its unplugged you'd think that it wouldn't electicute you, but there's a new device in there called a CAP ASS ITOR or something and it uses two magnetic fields to store "power" ... Yeah sounds sketchy to me too until I got fried.

RIG

 

[Yossarian]

Ok thanks guys.

 

[Jhhnn]

Or it might be the fan controller is dead. Disconnect the house current, push the power button a coupla times to discharge the capacitors, get it out of the case. After removing the cover, you'll probably see that the fan wires are plugged into a tiny circuit board screwed onto a heatsink. Bypass the controller- if the problem persists, the fan is dead.

If it's a dead fan, replace it with one of similar power consumption. Never put a temp controlled fan on a temp sensitive fan controller, it won't work right......

 

[Deskstar]

Do not run your computer without a working fan on your power supply.

If you have outstanding homeowners or renters insurance, then let it run and it will catch fire and burn down your house. Then, assuming you and your loved ones are safe, you will file a claim and get a new house and new computer.

If that is not appealing to you, then do NOT run your computer with a power supply without a working fan.

 

[SaveYourself]

The fans that Antec used in those PSUs were a joke. They were called "Jamicon" or something like that. Cheapest fan I ever saw. Sleeve bearings, too. Definitely the lowest-quality stuff they could get away with. Good thing I pulled that "Jamicon" fan out of there and put a nice Dynatron ball bearing fan inside my Antec 250-watt (of about that vintage) before sending it off with the Grandparents to Oklahoma. Now Antec uses BB fans and they're pretty nice to use, so don't let this scare you away from the PSUs.

Emachines power supplies use Jamicon fans now.

 

[TonyB]

a while back I had a system with the power supply and cpu fan gone dead. I didnt notice it till months later when i opened my computer to replace an ethernet card. First thing i noticed was that the inside of the computer was REAL HOT. There was no case fans and the only 2 fans that was in there was dead. This was a Celeron 333 system, luckily nothing exploded or caught on fire. My advice is to always make sure your fans are running and to replace them every couple years or so because fans break down and unless you have some kind of temperture alarm you'll get no warning signs.

 

[gf4200isdabest]

Actually, its fine...I ran my 600MHZ Athlon with a broken PSU fan for about 2 weeks * 7 hours per day until I got a new one. The PSU started smelling funny about a week and a half later and when i opened it up later it was quite black. I then just replaced the PSU. No harm came of running the thing. All these warnings are for wussies. I bet these are the same people who take the time to ground themselves when working with computer parts...My theory: If its on warranty; who cares?

 

[Yossarian]

Well it's been ok for 2 nights now, maybe 4 hours use each night. Fortunately my new one from Newegg will be here tomorrow... ordered Monday night, delivery Wednesday, gotta love em.