Dell OptiPlex GX1 PC Desktop Logo
Posted on Jan 18, 2009
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Cpu fan is not plugged in, never has ?

I have been using a dell optiplex gx1 P3 bios ao7 for over a year with no problem. when i bought it second hand i noticed small black fan under green shroud had a short plug and was not and could not be plugged in anywhere. Recently I have added a second hard drive and have been doing some intese photo and movie stuff. I have since had a thermal shut down and a regulator failure. I cannot find any information on where fan is supposed to be plugged in. I know that the shroud was in place and the case fan was working but the cpu and heat sink were mighty hot ! The thermal failure occured when I romoved case cover and green shroud, added second hard drive and ran copy commander to clone new hard drive. It shut my computer down that time. Since then three days no prob but today as I was using picasso three Alert! regulator failure. I shut down, rebooted and now its running fine but I only been surfing or watching you tube. Please help.

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  • gdavd Jan 19, 2009

    Dont know the mobo model number, if I did I might not be asking this. I know this is an original motherboard from gx 1 mid sized chasis that sits flat. I know for a fact it wasnt plugged in coz I added ram when I bought it and emailed the seller about it. There is a plug that the fan barely reaches but the plugs dont match. I was told that the shroud and case fan was only needed to cool it. It is right behind a black cartridge like thing and is standing upright. Not like the cpu's that have fan on top. It still works now so I guess it is a miracle or there is something I am missing. I have read of adapters to be able to plug into the power plugs but dont know what kind to use. I know I am not comfortable not doing anything.

  • gdavd Jan 19, 2009

    Thank You. I have gone a full year without it. I found a computer like mine listed as GX110. I saw a socket 1 motherboard like mine with the tall green plastic clips for the cartridge like thing (processor ). Anyway I am going to take cover off later and check everything real good. The fan looked like it can be unclipped and pulled out. Any suggestions on where to purchase the right fan ? I read that fans have specs on wires but I want to get right one not replace wrong one.

  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    dont know where to plug it in but the fan definately needs to be plugged in. Its hard to believe the fan has never been on. Are you sure you did not pull the plug when installing the second hdd? If you provide the model number off your mobo then we might be able to look up where it would plug in

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  • Posted on Jan 19, 2009
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The socket for fan power on the motherboard is usually white and has three metal pins. If your fan connector does not match this socket I would suggest buying a fan that does have the proper connector. A lot of fans are attached to the heat sink with four screws so it is not a difficult thing to replace. This should be done ASAP before the processor burns up.

  • Anonymous Jan 20, 2009

    If you have what I think you have it is an older Pentium II or III processor that uses an edge connector to the motherboard. There are two tabs on top of the cartridge at each end. Push the tabs in and pull. It should lift out. I have one sitting in front of me but yours may not be the same. On this one there are four tabs at each corner of the fan that fit into slots on the cartridge. Push a small screwdriver into each slot until the tab releases. The fan should pop off. I just noticed that the wires unclip from this fan also. There is a three wire connector that plugs into a standard fan socket on the motherboard. Maybe you can find longer wires. Check shops that sell used parts. Take the whole assembly with you. They may have the fan or wires. You probably won't find new parts for this. These don't run very hot normally but graphics puts a lot of demand on components and this is why it is overheating.

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