Question Chatreey AM08 mini PC both fans stopped working

[gmelodie]

Hi there! I bought a Chatreey AM08 mini PC in the end of 2022 to use as a homelab server and a couple months from now it started randomly shutting down, only turning back on after unplugging and replugging PSU. At first it only happened once every week or so, but now is more frequent. Also I noticed replugging PSU right after a shutdown doesn't turn the PC on, only the LEDs. I don't own another PSU to test if that's causing the issue. Here's what I tried so far:

1. Swapped the memories with ones I know work (same issue), but when I ran memtest I noticed it was really hot (120 C and above) just before it shut down.
2. Cleaned dust and fans.
3. Removed both fans (60mm 5v 4pin fans) and powered them independently, and noticed they only turn on for a brief second and then turn off, then I remove power and put it back on, and the cycle repeats. I noticed this also happens when the fans are inside the PC.
4. Tested the BIOS battery with a voltimeter (3.3v normal).
5. Reset the BIOS by pressing the reset pin with a paperclip.

Could the fans be dead or damaged? Or could this be some BIOS issue? I'm reluctant to buy a new PSU or fans only to realize they weren't the problem.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

a couple months from now it started randomly shutting down, only turning back on after unplugging and replugging PSU.
That might be an indication of a grounding issue(static build up) or the PSU is failing.

Is your prebuilt pending any BIOS updates?

Could the fans be dead or damaged? Or could this be some BIOS issue? I'm reluctant to buy a new PSU or fans only to realize they weren't the problem.
If the issue is BIOS, reflashing it should alleviate the issue. If the fans are the issue and you've used a standalone power source to power the fans to see that they indeed work, then the power delivery area meant for managing the fans on the motherboard is what's compromised.

You've mentioned in 3, they briefly move, this would mean that the fans are compromised. Besides how much would a set of fans for the prebuilt cost you? Trinkets compared to a new PSU/motherboard/prebuilt.

 

[Paperdoc]

Your item 3 says you tested the fans by removing them from the case and connecting to each a proper (5 VDC) power source. If I understand correctly, each would start up briefly then stop. Do you mean they turned for many turns, then stopped? OR, did they just "twitch"? Did they make noises when they turned?

If they made noise when turning briefly, or if they just "twitch", then the fans have failed. With NO power to the fans, try turning a fan blade with your finger, then try to spin it that way. Does the fan seen "stiff", or does it turn easily and keep spinning? Likely their bearings are worn out and they must be replaced. Stiff bearings confirm that. If that is the case, then all your problems are the non-functioning fans, because the entire system overheats and shuts itself down.

 

[gmelodie]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Thank you! Glad to be here

Is your prebuilt pending any BIOS updates?

There doesn't seem to be any updates for my particular model (5900HX): https://www.chatreey.com/am08-model-mini-pc-drivers/

If they made noise when turning briefly, or if they just "twitch", then the fans have failed. With NO power to the fans, try turning a fan blade with your finger, then try to spin it that way. Does the fan seen "stiff", or does it turn easily and keep spinning? Likely their bearings are worn out and they must be replaced. Stiff bearings confirm that. If that is the case, then all your problems are the non-functioning fans, because the entire system overheats and shuts itself down.

MAN! This is absolutely spot on what's happening! I doubted the fans being the issue at first because both of them failed, but I now realize that one probably failed months ago, which would explain the shutdowns being weeks apart, and now that the second one has failed, they're only hours apart.

I'll buy a 4-pin fan to test and write back once I've tested it. Thank you both!