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Asked by dm4488
at 2024-07-23 10:44:55
ModifyPoint:500 Replies:11 POST_ID:828601USER_ID:11449
Topic:
General Laptop;Miscellaneous Hardware;Microsoft Hardware
I have a Lenovo Thinkpad X220i (non-tablet version) laptop and I'm getting a fan error when I try to boot. I've removed the keyboard and used compressed air to blow out the fan, but get the same result. I'm assuming I have a dead fan, but I can see that the fan does run for a second when I boot, but the fan error is thrown anyway. Is this indicative of a bad fan, or is it a sign that the motherboard itself is malfunctioning?
Also, is anyone aware of a way that I can bypass the fan error, or somehow trick the system into thinking its working so that I can boot up until I get the fan fixed? (I'm aware that its dangerous to do so, but its imperative that I'm able to use the computer in the next day, even if only briefly).
Thanks!
Also, is anyone aware of a way that I can bypass the fan error, or somehow trick the system into thinking its working so that I can boot up until I get the fan fixed? (I'm aware that its dangerous to do so, but its imperative that I'm able to use the computer in the next day, even if only briefly).
Thanks!
Expert: duncanb7 replied at 2024-07-25 11:41:07
just throw the Lenovo Thinkpad away and buy new one from US/Europen/HongKong maufacturer
Expert: duncanb7 replied at 2024-07-25 11:40:49
just throw the Lenovo Thinkpad and buy new one from US/Europen/HongKong maufacturer
Expert: garycase replied at 2024-07-23 13:36:10
The fan assembly is a common problem with Thinkpads. I've not replaced one on an X220, but have done so on several T40's and T41's ... and the process is almost identical.
Note that if you send a Thinkpad in to Lenovo's service with this issue, they simply replace the whole motherboard/fan assembly -- probably because it's actually easier to do. (or perhaps just to ensure there are no other "hidden" issues).
In any event, it's a simple fix for a do-it-yourselfer; but probably cost-prohibitive on an older laptop if you have to pay for it => the labor to replace that $40-$70 fan assembly would probably be at least $150 ... bringing the total cost of repair over $200.
Note that if you send a Thinkpad in to Lenovo's service with this issue, they simply replace the whole motherboard/fan assembly -- probably because it's actually easier to do. (or perhaps just to ensure there are no other "hidden" issues).
In any event, it's a simple fix for a do-it-yourselfer; but probably cost-prohibitive on an older laptop if you have to pay for it => the labor to replace that $40-$70 fan assembly would probably be at least $150 ... bringing the total cost of repair over $200.
Expert: Frosty555 replied at 2024-07-23 13:28:19
I had a client with an older thinkpad too which had the same issue - said "Fan Error" then shutdown, despite that the fan was actually running fine.
The problem was that the sensor was inside the fan assembly that sensed the RPMs of the fan had failed, and the fan was no longer reporting it's RPM to the motherboard, causing the error despite the fan spinning just fine.
A temporary solution for us was hitting escape repeatedly on bootup, this caused the laptop to bypass the error message and continue loading windows.
In the end, though, this made the customer nervous and we ended up tossing the laptop because it was too old to try and repair. I assume what garycase said replacing the fan assembly would have solved the issue.
The problem was that the sensor was inside the fan assembly that sensed the RPMs of the fan had failed, and the fan was no longer reporting it's RPM to the motherboard, causing the error despite the fan spinning just fine.
A temporary solution for us was hitting escape repeatedly on bootup, this caused the laptop to bypass the error message and continue loading windows.
In the end, though, this made the customer nervous and we ended up tossing the laptop because it was too old to try and repair. I assume what garycase said replacing the fan assembly would have solved the issue.
Expert: garycase replied at 2024-07-23 13:18:00
Thinkpad fan errors are fairly common ... and are almost ALWAYS the fan assembly -- NOT the motherboard.
Replacing them is a bit tedious, but not hard if you're comfortable disassembling the laptop. You can get a new fan assembly for an X220 here: http://www.battery-adapter.com/product_info.php/products_id/205705/vX220
Details of how to replace the fan assembly are shown starting on page 84 in the hardware maintenance manual:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDsQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.lenovo.com%2Fibmdl%2Fpub%2Fpc%2Fpccbbs%2Fmobiles_pdf%2F0a60739.pdf&ei=k-PuUYGxGObOyAHt_4HQBA&usg=AFQjCNH0EeUxSJ9t9RyCZn47oIhKIvfIww&sig2=Oya92OvyrZofvFrQSH2a4w&bvm=bv.49641647,d.aWc
Replacing them is a bit tedious, but not hard if you're comfortable disassembling the laptop. You can get a new fan assembly for an X220 here: http://www.battery-adapter.com/product_info.php/products_id/205705/vX220
Details of how to replace the fan assembly are shown starting on page 84 in the hardware maintenance manual:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDsQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.lenovo.com%2Fibmdl%2Fpub%2Fpc%2Fpccbbs%2Fmobiles_pdf%2F0a60739.pdf&ei=k-PuUYGxGObOyAHt_4HQBA&usg=AFQjCNH0EeUxSJ9t9RyCZn47oIhKIvfIww&sig2=Oya92OvyrZofvFrQSH2a4w&bvm=bv.49641647,d.aWc
Expert: ScottCha replied at 2024-07-23 11:36:56
I doubt the fan is bad (sorry). It's most likely the MB. Since the fan starts to spin then stops that tells me that it's getting power and has not seized up.
If the fan spins freely when you manually spin it then I'm afraid it's the expensive part. :-(
If you have a local shop they might be able to test your fan for you so you will know for sure.
If it turns out to be the system board you will want to look into getting a new laptop. Most of the time when the system board is bad it simply isn't cost effective to replace unless you can do it yourself. And then you still have an older out-of-warranty machine.
If you do get a new laptop I strongly suggest getting the extended warranty.
If the fan spins freely when you manually spin it then I'm afraid it's the expensive part. :-(
If you have a local shop they might be able to test your fan for you so you will know for sure.
If it turns out to be the system board you will want to look into getting a new laptop. Most of the time when the system board is bad it simply isn't cost effective to replace unless you can do it yourself. And then you still have an older out-of-warranty machine.
If you do get a new laptop I strongly suggest getting the extended warranty.
Author: dm4488 replied at 2024-07-23 11:29:12
No, it's not still under warranty.
I'm afraid that the motherboard is bad on this one, too, because the fan seems to be working yet the fan error keeps occurring. This makes me worry that the sensor on the motherboard is not detecting the fan spinning.
I'm basically trying to find out if that is definitely the case, or if it could still just be a bad fan. I don't want to buy a replacement fan to test it if the motherboard is definitely bad...
I'm afraid that the motherboard is bad on this one, too, because the fan seems to be working yet the fan error keeps occurring. This makes me worry that the sensor on the motherboard is not detecting the fan spinning.
I'm basically trying to find out if that is definitely the case, or if it could still just be a bad fan. I don't want to buy a replacement fan to test it if the motherboard is definitely bad...
Expert: ScottCha replied at 2024-07-23 11:10:03
I have a variable switching power supply from Radio Shack that I rigged to give me various voltages.
On this forum it was a bad motherboard and swapping that out fixed the laptop.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/648914-x220-fan-error.html
Is your laptop still under warranty?
On this forum it was a bad motherboard and swapping that out fixed the laptop.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/648914-x220-fan-error.html
Is your laptop still under warranty?
Author: dm4488 replied at 2024-07-23 11:04:50
"Fan Error" is the exact error. When I boot, the splash screen displays, then "fan error" displays and it shuts off.
I would love to try your suggestion, but I don't know how I would connect the fan directly to a DC voltage source...
I would love to try your suggestion, but I don't know how I would connect the fan directly to a DC voltage source...
Expert: ScottCha replied at 2024-07-23 11:03:39
In my above comment about the PC, I have swapped fans many times so I know it's a motherboard issue and not a fan problem.
Expert: ScottCha replied at 2024-07-23 11:02:10
Can you put exactly the error you are getting? As a test to see if it's the fan you can pull the fan out of the laptop and hook it up to a dc voltage source to see if the fan spins up correctly and stays spinning. I would start with 3.3v then move to 5v.
If it runs correctly it might me the systemboard.
I have a PC that says the CPU fan is not detected but it spins up and runs just fine.
I absolutely would not try to "trick" the laptop into running with no fan no matter for how brief a period of time. Laptops run hot anyways and you will most likely cause more damage.
If you need to access the data off of the HD just slave it off of another computer and get to your data that way.
If you need to run applications you really should wait until the laptop is working proplerly.
If it runs correctly it might me the systemboard.
I have a PC that says the CPU fan is not detected but it spins up and runs just fine.
I absolutely would not try to "trick" the laptop into running with no fan no matter for how brief a period of time. Laptops run hot anyways and you will most likely cause more damage.
If you need to access the data off of the HD just slave it off of another computer and get to your data that way.
If you need to run applications you really should wait until the laptop is working proplerly.
