Alieware M7700 fans Issues

Hello,

I have an old alienware D9T/M7700 with default specs and 2G of RAM. I am trying to get it back from the grave as it stopped working 3-4 years ago because of overheating. I have noticed that the 2 CPU fans are not turning on when powering the machine. The fans are cleaned and turns on only when the machine overheats and poweroff.

How do I get the fans to turn on when powering the machine? Is there a switch in the BIOS, an upgrade to be made, or computer part to change?

I really love that machine even if it is a fossil.

Thank you in advance for your valuable info on that matter,
INF1

 

You can try to install third party fan control software, not sure of what software would work with such an older machine, but i am sure it is out there. Unless someone knows of an unlocked bios that is floating around somewhere, they could provide the link for you.

 

Have you tried reflashing the bios?

 

Thanx for the info... I have to plug an external fan in order to flash the bios. I checked out this article Alienware Pre 2009: Procedure to Change the Fan Speed of an Alienware Mobile System - KB Article - 349898 | Dell US I will try that as well and let you know wazup... ++

 

The unlock BIOS software will be great...

 

Have you tried Fn + F2 ?

I have the M7700 ....boot it up....once you have your desktop...Fn + F2 will set the fans going full bore...until you shut it down. (or Fn + F2 again).

Yes, it is....but it is the prettiest fossil....love that blue...

 

Hello...

I was able to flash the BIOS with the latest version (1.00.12). I see a new option for the fans, but none of the values set turns the fans on...

The key-combo Fn+F2 does not do anything neither!

I have also loaded and installed xubuntu which works ok as a whole, beside that I get no sound, no fans control and it is hard to recognize the drives for install.

I am no hardware genius, but I think something got fried on the motherboard... I would hate to buy a new MB for that alienboy!

PS: yes the pretty blue lights are great and working

Last updates...

I have managed to install windows 7 and everything is working fine and stable without the fans:
-Multi threaded pentium 3.8
-Nvidia Quadro FX GO 1400
-Screen
-Realtek sound
-Keyboard and Fn functions
-Keypad
-DJ panel
-speakers and sub
-Bison camera
-wireless card
-memory
-RAID/ATA controller
-hard drives
-USBs
-memory bay
-DVD/CD writer

I managed this revival with a 5$ house fan put under the machine at full blast (covers removed as well). It is not pretty, but it is working out.

I whish I could figure out what's happening with the on-board fans, it will make the machine a perfect ventage laptop with great specs. The machine was able to run WebGL sites, amazing stuff for a fossil. I am writing this post with it

Thank you for letting me know if you hear/know anything about the original problem?

http://docteur.multivers3d.fr/constructor/users/51278/Thumbz/alienwareM7700_area51.png

 

I have managed to install getthermal after reading this post: GetThermal (build 2004-07-15) - CLEVO D900T THERMAL UTILITY - Projects, Tools, Utilities & Customized INFs - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

and finaly I've got the fans to turn on!!!

The problem comes from the thermal CPU sensor that is not reading the right temperature... I am going to get the sensor changed and hope to get the machine 100% working!

Thanks for all the help on that matter ++

 

That's awesome! We are glad to know that your Alienware hardware is working after so many years. It needs a small change but I'm sure it's worth it.

 

Yes, I am not believing it myself -) The problem encountered is pretty commun to all m7700 models: a simple sensor that goes bad due to high temperatures. To be precised, it is the sensor located on the CPU heak's that reads 1°C instead of reading the right temp; thus, the fans do not turn on/the fans only turns on when the overall temp goes too high and shuts down the whole machine. The sensor in question is black, glued to the heak and it can be seen on that picture: http://www.ztronics.com/oemcost/med...136e95/c/p/cpu_heatsink___a_49c68a985b067.jpg

The problem can be huge for such a small deffect as every components on the board could suffer from overheat (if the machine went on for too long with no fan working). On my config, I have already lost 1 of the 2 hard drives and I suspect that the video card (Nvidia Quadro Fx GO 1400) is going bad on me. The screen sometimes shifts light intensity almost like a heart beat -). Anyhow, I don't wanna ask too much from that alienboy.

I'll keep you on the loop as soon as I get the new sensor put in...

++INF1