CPU Fan Error on new build

[erwinna]

Hi,

I finished my first build and got the dreaded "CPU Fan Error". I have read this may be connected to the fact that I have an after market cpu cooler installed (the Antec Kuhler h20 920). But I also have noticed that I am unable to connect the cable into the "CPU Fan" slot (pardon my lack of technical terms) because the cable from the cooler only has 3 pin holes whereas the CPU Fan has 4 pins into which to connect. I attached the cooler to the Power Fan instead...

When I turned on the computer for the first time it was clear the fan was working....very clear as it seemed to be working at full blast. When I connected it to the CHA Fan connecter and turned on the comp it started up full speed but then dropped down to what seemed a reasonable speed.

From what I read regarding this issue I thought I could just "ignore" the message and play with the BIOS settings after installing my OS. But the big problem was that when I tried to load Windows7 it seemed that with the first reboot the system got stuck on the error message.

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

(by the way my mobo is the p8z68-v pro/gen3 and cpu i5 2500k)

 

[caqde]

You should still be able to connect it to the 4pin cpu fan slot it will just not get the extra data from the 4th pin. I had a stock cpu cooler that was 3pin and was able to connect it to a motherboards 4pin connector. Try connecting it to that connector lining up the pins to the side where the plastic guide is. (piece of plastic that sticks out).

 

[azeem40]

You don't need to worry. Just connected the 3-pin male CPU Fan connector to the female 4-pin CPU Fan header on the motherboard.

 

[ngrego]

It doesn't matter that your cpu fan has only 3 pins, but it has to be connected to the CPU_FAN connector. Even though the CPU_FAN has 4 pins it should have a plastic guide to accomodate 3 pin cpu fans. The fourth pin (missing from your fan) is the fan control cable allowing the mobo to control the fan speed. The third pin is the sensor pin that allows the mobo to 'know' that there is a fan connected. Without the sensor pin connected the mobo will not allow the system to start up so that the cpu is not damaged.
It will work fine without the fourth pin, but it may be a bit noisier than expected.

 

[erwinna]

Thanks guys. I did plug it in as you suggested but I am still getting the error. When my computer does the POST is beeps one long and four quick ones, which my manual indicates a hardware failure. This must be the CPU fan malfunction, I assume, as all else seems to be working well.

And other troubleshooting tips? Should I just install the stock cpu cooler, load Windows and then play with it later?

Thanks again.

 

[p_bug]

There is some option in the bios for enabling fan detection at startup. Enable that and reboot and see what happens.

 

[CaedenV]

reset CMOS, then get into UEFI and put your settings back to where you want them. That should fix most issues.

Most POST codes relate to the RAM or GPU, consult your book to try and narrow down what code you are getting.

 

[erwinna]

Best answer selected by Erwinna.

 

[jpowrstlr]

Hi All,

I'm experiencing a similar issue...
I have an ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 motherboard and the new Intel Core i7 3770 3.4 4 Ivy Bridge

I have the stock fan installed and it has a 4 pin connector as does the other board, however the fan does not turn on at all. Like the Erwinna I did get the 4 beeps as well. Someone mentioned going into the BIOS and playing around with the settings but the CPU Fan is not even recognized.

Any suggestions?

Thank You!

 

[erwinna]

Make sure you are plugged into the "CPU fan" and not "CPU fan opt"....on the Asus P8Z68-V pro/gen3 its 2nd from the right on the board....