T42 I get "Fan Error" --- replace the motherboard?

[esquire]

Hi,

After getting "fan error" for a couple weeks on my Thinkpad T42 it finally decided to quit starting up at all.

After much searching I found a warranty provider here in Nairobi and the repair guy told me he ordered a new motherboard. Is this going to fix the problem? I found another thread on the 'fan error' issue and someone suggested that a new fan assembly was needed...is this on the motherboard? I am told it will take 2-3 weeks to get the part (sent by DHL from the states) so I just hope the repair guy here knows what he is doing. Its really annoying being without my trusty t42

Good thing I had extended warranty, it only had about 3 months left

[cmarti]

After much searching I found a warranty provider here in Nairobi and the repair guy told me he ordered a new motherboard. Is this going to fix the problem? I found another thread on the 'fan error' issue and someone suggested that a new fan assembly was needed...is this on the motherboard?

I had exctly the same problem on one T40 and it was fixed replacing the fan.

The error was the same.

[richk]

I have found that most "fan error" problems" are just a busted fan.

[esquire]

Hi

Thanks for the replies. In fact I even suggested that it needed a new fan, but when I called the tech guy today they told me they ordered a new motherboard. Well maybe they ordered a new fan too, or have one laying around???...who am I kidding, I'm in for a bit of a wait.

[richk]

It might be the MB. I just always try the fan first. It is cheaper. It takes 5 minutes to change, and I always keep a long one and a short one around

[PatrickE]

Have you tried banging on the bottom of your computer about where the fan is located? My 42 was coming up with a Fan Error and a quick
hit to the bottom got it working again with no repeat occurrences.

I guess this tip isn't much help if its already at the shop though...

[esquire]

Just thought I would post an update considering I finally got my Thinkpad back:

The tech replaced the mother board and the fan unit.

Actually.... the tech told me that when he tried taking the fan out he accidentally broke the mother board So he had to order that part as well. I think he just pulled it off instead of gendly prying it out like the tech manual suggests.

When I first picked up the think pad the lid didn't close fully and the hinges were all loose. Someone obviously didn't assemble it correctly! So about an hour of trial and error later they finally got it right. Atleast, I hope so.

I have only been using the thinkpad for a few hours, but the fan seems to be working OK. The idle temp is 45-49C on adaptive, getting up to 60C on max settings. Thats ok right? I was getting up to 86C before when the fan was broken

Atleast its running quiet! It was all under warrenty, so I didn't have to pay anything.

And to top it off I got a free nipple.

---

I was also wondering, is the ATI 64meg graphic chip supposed to have a long or a short fan? I'll be sure to check it out next time I open her up.

[richk]

It is supposed to be a particular long fan - all the M10 graphics processor models have them. The part number is 13R2657