I have just received this error message. When I restarted I checked the cpu fan and it was running as was the power supply fan. I swapped out the cpu fan and still got the same error. I checked the bios and found that the bios is reading zero cpu fan speed, and zero system fan speed. Despite what HP has told me, the phoenix award bios does NOT give me the option to turn the fan on/off, or change fan speeds. I can run the computer by rebooting with the F2 key. The CPU temp will run from 30 degrees C, cold, to about 65 C. Does anyone have an idea whether I have a bios problem or a motherboard issue. The computer is 5 years old and there isn't an upgrade for the bios from HP. Any thoughts??

Thanks!

Does anyone have an idea whether I have a bios problem or a motherboard issue.

Hi Ajax and welcome to D-A-L.

Since the BIOS CMOS chip resides on the motherboard, it would be difficult to determine which is which.

Do all other settings in the BIOS stay set? A good indicator is the date/time and drive recognition. If your battery is over 3 years old, I would probably replace it, even if your other settings remain good. Most makers have settled on the standard CR2032 watch battery that you can find in most any battery/camera/watch counter/section of your local discount or hardware/home improvement store usually under $2 - Make sure you power down AND unplug your PC, and that you touch bare metal to discharge static metal before reaching in there to pry out the battery. Verify the battery number before buying new. Never handle the new battery with bare fingers - skin oils attract dust and promote corrosion. I put a clean cotton (synthetics create static) sock over my hand.

Although I don't like my temps to go over 60°C, 65°C is probably fine, but I would sure keep an eye on that. You might make sure the internals are clean of dust and dirt.

Despite what HP has told me, the phoenix award bios does NOT give me the option to turn the fan on/off, or change fan speeds

I have never seen a BIOS that will give you the option to turn a fan off. HOWEVER, there should be an option to turn off the alarm/warning to it. Look in the BIOS for a setting about the alarm or warning and disable that.

My guess (if not the battery) is the RPM sensor in the fan is bad, or the motherboard's sensor is bad. Neither should be a problem, but you need to keep an eye on the temps.

Thanks for your response. Date, time and the other cmos settings all looked normal. As I changed fans( did buy a new one) I wouldn't think the sensor in both fans were bad - rather I suspect something in the motherboard. Are there any tell tale signs other than temp that I could keep an i on before the something frys in side the box?

Wow, 65C is high. The delta 35C is massive and abnormal. Something seems wrong there with the sensors, BIOS bug or the system monitor you've installed. You might have messed the heatsink contact up aswell though.

On many occasions I've noticed, if you install a buggy system monitor made by the motherboard manufacturer it send the motherboard sensor feedback haywire, both in BIOS and in Windows. Mine have been 80-150C like this many times whereas touching the bottom of the heatsink near CPU (cautiously) will let you know if it's 50C or 100C you're feeling, very clearly.

Your readings don't look abnormal in one sense: they start off where you'd expect them and rise to where you'd expect if the cooling was faulty. Touch the bottom of the heatsink when it reads 30C and when 65C and see if its alot warmer (do it briefly and with care). 65C will be very clearly hot to touch, burning actually.

65C will be very clearly hot to touch, burning actually.

65°C is only 149°F - not exactly what I would call "burning". As noted here, most CPU can go considerably higher. However, as I said above, I don't like mine to go above 60°C. The problem with letting it get higher is you run out of wiggle room, surrounding components start to stress, and stability issues arise.

I have found Everest to be good at verifying temperatures. Look under Computer > Sensor, then wait a couple seconds for the readings to appear.

Originally Posted by Digerati

65°C is only 149°F - not exactly what I would call "burning".

I have a 62C (load) running processor right here and the heatsink lower down is too hot to touch, which is what I referred to. Very obvious to feel the difference of that compared to it at 30C.

As noted here, most CPU can go considerably higher.

For P4s, a chip running hot, or K7, K7.5 etc, that was acceptable many times as you point due to the very high rated thresholds, but not for current Core 2s nor K8s. For instance, a quad core Kenty at >55C will start becoming very erratic.

For these, majorities would agree to not have a processor running above 50-55C under 8 hours Orthos/Prime95 load. Above that is risking it and cutting the life short, although it won't blow up, you don't really have many trying it to prove otherwise. I have seen dead processors, Intel Core 2 and AMD K8 that have been running 55C-58C 65-80% load regularly, under a 4 weeks time frame to learn this.

However, as I said above, I don't like mine to go above 60°C. The problem with letting it get higher is you run out of wiggle room, surrounding components start to stress, and stability issues arise.

I've only ever let mine go higher than 55C to test, not even when overclocking. With <P4/K7.5, yes, they've gone considerably higher.

While I agree some of the latest CPUs have a lower tolerance for heat, yes, the Kentsfield Quad 6800 should not exceed 55° (though that is the lone exception for Intels - for now) - and the AMD FX74 is the lone exception for AMDs, all other current CPUs are capable of a little higher (60°+), to a lot higher (into the mid 90s!!!).

HOWEVER, the purpose of THIS topic is ajax50623's PC which as he stated above,

The computer is 5 years old

Therefore, I am quite confident if he keeps his temps below 60°C, he will be fine. Yes, lower is better, but for now, 60°C will do.

If further discussion is desired that is NOT related to ajax's specific problem please, start another thread, rather than driving this one OT.
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Originally Posted by ajax

As I changed fans( did buy a new one) I wouldn't think the sensor in both fans were bad - rather I suspect something in the motherboard. Are there any tell tale signs other than temp that I could keep an i on before the something frys in side the box?

You are right that RPM sensors in both fans would not be bad. And that has nothing to do with the temperature sensors. Therefore, it would point to the motherboard. Again, I would see what Everest says, and I would look in the BIOS Setup Menu for where you can disable the alarm. You could check your motherboard maker's web site for an updated BIOS too.

As for some place else to look, I would say no, simply because your current temperature and monitoring appears faulty, therefore any other readings by the same monitoring system could not be trusted. Again, try Everest. Motherboard Monitor or Speedfan are two other popular monitors, but both have been known to have problems too - usually with identifying the correct sensors. I use Motherboard Monitor on this machine, but it mixed the System and CPU temperatures - once I verified the temps with Everest, I was able to correctly relabel sensors.

Thank you for all the comments - I will go back into the bios, I do recall seeing something about the warning indicator iwhile looking around the various settinds.

Thanks for your help and suggestions -

Ajax

No problem - please keep us updated.