M11x Fan problem - overheating

Hey guys,
I've been owning an Alienware M11x (SU7300, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD...) for the past month. No issues until yesterday. I had not used it for a few days and decided to update Kaspersky and make a scheduled backup.

Decided to play Battlefield Bad Company 2 and after a few minutes of game time (not overclocked in BIOS), the M11x took a dump and shut down. Noticed it was quite hot.

Apparently, the fan never worked. I turned it on after the laptop cooled down and the fan (in GT335 mode) turned on on startup for 3-4 mins but then was off again. I installed OCCT 3.0 as well as Real Temp 3.4 and temperatures went up to 70-80 celsius 25 mins into test while at the beginning with the fan still on temps were around 35C.

Switching to IGP and back doesn't do anything. The fan does not spin. I changed setting to Overclock and same thing. I have to shut it down and wait until it cools off.

I don't have the issue of most users where the fan stays stuck at 100% even on IGP or is extremely loud. Mine is quiet when it decides to spin. I set Behavior in Power Profiles all to active to see if that does anything. Nothing. FYI, I plug in my laptop to power almost all the time.

Not sure if it is a faulty Fan or the Motherboard or CPU or BIOS. Of course Dell chat does not work and I will have to call them. But wanted to see if anyone on here has a similar issue and can consult.

I ran Diagnostics and all tests passed even the "Problem with the Fan" test even though temps were at the time at about 85C and I shut it off after that.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

Whoever said that m11x fan is "extremely" loud clearly hasn't heard a loud fan.

It sounds to me like a faulty fan / fan connector or something along those lines. The sooner you get in touch with Dell, the sooner they'll start with the repair/replacement process - so that is what I would do.

 

Yeah, sounds like it. I am currently talking to Dell customer support. They will send a technician to replace the fan etc. Let's see if I get a stuck open one :S. I shall post results. Thanks.

 

No problem! If you get the "fan stays on" bug after the repair - it works properly!

 

Well, the technician came and replaced the fan. A bud of mine helped me to receive the guy since I was at work. And the fan still does not work properly! It turns on at the beginning for a bit spinning softly then shuts off and doesn't come on anymore. I can feel the laptop getting hot and temps are rising. Idle ~ 60C +.

I am annoyed. Gonna call Dell and tell them to replace the unit if I don't find any answers soon.

 

Yeah try insisting on getting the replacement unit. Who knows where the problem is.

 

All right, so now they will come and replace the mobo. I told them if that will not resolve the issue of the fan not spinning I shall demand a replacement unit.

 

OK, it may fix it - but I don't like the whole replacement after replacement things... you paid for a new laptop and deserve a new - working - one.

Also, make sure the laptop still looks in a good shape after the tech puts it back together. There have been way too many reports of techs scratching / braking etc. Holding my fingers crossed for you, it's actually pretty nice laptop... once you have the working one. Just for comparison, GPU/CPU temps should be max in 60C range under load (I never had it higher than 60 either).

 

ur 335m gpu @wmarcel went as high as 80c?

 

I think you should ask for a replacement. I just receive my replacement today because I have a gap on the LCD. The tech that they sent are totally idiots.

 

True. The guy according to my buddy was quite bad. He had to supervise him since he's no n00b about assembling/disassembling computers. He didn't even know what model it was.

@ benchmade42 yes, those were the temps according to OCCT 3.1 during 30 mins testing.

@ unreal you are right and I told dell/alienware reps precisely that if this will not fix the problem I demand a brand new unit. Hopefully, they'll send a bit more competent guy who won't break anything to replace the motherboard but I highly doubt it.

Thanks for your input, guys.