T23 "fan error"

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winslow · #1 Post by **winslow** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:53 am

My T23 will not boot up, I get the "fan error" message. The only thing I can do is shut it down. Do I need to replace the fan or are there other options? Does it just need a cleaning or when this happens does it mean its time to replace the fan? Thanks in advance for your help.

winslow · #2 Post by **winslow** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:16 am

I tried blowing the fan unit with a can of dust off through the fan grill, the unit then fired right up, any ideas?

#3 Post by **Harryc** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:38 am

That's not the way I'd have cleaned the fan, but if it now works then just keep an eye on it and use the machine.
Here's some reading material on 'fan error'

winslow · #4 Post by **winslow** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:09 pm

Do I need to dismantle it and blow the system out that way?

#5 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:43 am

Yes. The key is to keep the fan blade from spinning while using compressed air to clean out the fan cavity area.

winslow · #6 Post by **winslow** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:23 pm

Since I need to do open heart surgery anyway is it advisable to just replace the fan as it's not an expensive part? What else might I want to do while I'm in there?

#7 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:22 pm

Clean up the interior with compressed air. With the keyboard off of the machine, use compressed air to clean it as well. I would replace the fan. It's an old machine at this point. The fan won't run forever.

http://www.thinkpad-parts.com/26P9166-ThinkPad.html
http://www.thinkpadmedic.com/thinkpad_p ... P9166.html

winslow · #8 Post by **winslow** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:00 pm

Thanks for the links, ordered the part. Now if I can manage to accomplish this without doing further damage I'll be a happy camper.

#9 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:17 am

When you replace the fan, also get some isopropyl alcohol to clean the top of the CPU. Also buy some Arctic Silver thermal paste and apply a minuscule amount (size of a rice corn) on top of only the CPU. Use a credit card to evenly spread the paste over the CPU. When you put the fan back on, 'wiggle' it a few times left/right while it is already resting on the CPU before you tighten the 3 screws, to get the best possible contact between CPU and cooler.
That stuff will settle properly after about 24 hours of use.

T23 "fan error"

T23 "fan error"

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