CPU Cooler fan does not seem to work.

[Elliot]

system specs:
ThermalTake Tsunami Dream + ThermalTake 850watt PSU
MSI x48 platinum motherboard
intel q9450(1333 mhz FSB, 12mb l2 cache, 2.66 ghz, 45nm micro-architecture)
2gb DDR3 XMS3 Corsair Ram(1333 mhz)
BFG 9600 GT OC
ArcticCooler Freezer 7 Pro

Problem: the CPU fan simply does not want to spin. when booted up, there is no sign of life from the fan itself, even if i go into the bios, disable, or enable the smart fan control, i still get nothing. when enabled i have set it at 40*c, while the CPU temperature is at 50*c, and yet there is still no life from the fan. it is plugged in correctly etc. HOWEVER, when i bypass the motherboard and draw power directly from the power supply, or a 9v battery, the CPU fan spins with no problems, and remains at a constant temperature of 50-53*c. i have read a few article's while googling for a solution suggesting that there isnt enough voltage/current going to the fan itself, im just wondering if there is any way i can change this through the bios, as i have not been enable to install and Operating system in fear of the CPU frying while i am doing so, which would mean i couldn't try controlling the fan in a more software based manner.

if anyone can shed some light on the situation i am currently experiencing it is much appreciated.
//Regards, Elliot.

[Jonny2Bad]

There is sometimes another slot for the power connector to plug into gives slightly more power to certain fans. Give that a try.

[Elliot]

there is no other slot. the "sysfan3" connection is marked, but has no socket for the connector to be inserted into. this is the only other 4pin socket described in the motherboard manual.

[Jonny2Bad]

Very odd, so it would point to a problem with the motherboard fan power connector i guess.

[Chewie]

might be worth getting a 4 pin fan adaptor to power it straight off the psu.

If that works, then the issue is with the mainboard. If it doesnt work then its likely the fan is dead rather than a mainboard fault.

EDIT

I cant find a single 4pin fan adaptor to run it off the psu. most odd. still looking.

[Jonny2Bad]

He's done that chewie and it works so its got to be a mobo problem.

[Elliot]

yeh, i was reading a few articles which say as the temperature rises, the voltage/current to the CPUFAN will also be increased. i am just wondering if there is any way to turn this crappy energy saving system off, or a way to set the voltage/current to a static value. i know there is software that can do this, but after bodging the CPU fan to the PSU, i am unable to get my SATA hard drive to be recognised by the bios.

error:

"reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key"

the sata to the board from the HDD is connected, as well as the power from the PSU. the HDD is also set as master. i have tried re-configurating the boot sequence but i doubt that will change anything if the hard drive isn't even recognised, and as i thought, it didn't. im just wondering if my motherboard is faulty, as i seem to be having quite a few problems.

again, all help is much appreciated.

[Chewie]

elliot, have you tried the msi forum by chance?

http://forum.msi.com.tw

Looking at whats been put so far, im inclined to think theirs an issue with onboard supply. whether its something in the BIOS or actually board related.....Recommend speaking to the mods over at MSI and get their input.

If all else fails then run it via psu supply till you can get an RMA sorted for it.

On the drive side of things, what is it set as in the bios? and is it a RAID array or just a drive on its own?

[Elliot]

its set currently at RAID 0 i believe, at least that's what is shown before i get the error, that as well as my DVD drive. im not quite sure i understood your question very well but i gave it my best shot.

[Chewie]

What i was getting at was do you have it set to ide/ahci and raid in bios, also how many drives are you running with the primary os on it. eg 1 drive in ahci sata mode or 2 drives (either RAID0 or RAID1) etc.

Re-reading your first post Im assuming you have 1 Disc set for your main drive.

Im gonna ask something else now.

Is this a new build with problems from the first boot or something you became aware of after a few days?

[Elliot]

new build with problems from first boot. and its running one DVD drive(IDE) and one sata samsung 750gb HDD.

[Chewie]

Right, ok, in that case it should be set to ahci IIRC, and not RAID when doing boot order.

I take it thats you as *griffeh* on msi forum? Hopefully Boss or Wonk or another will come back with a few questions shortly.

Have you managed to get an os installed yet?

[Elliot]

how would i set it to ahci IIRC? and currently no.

and yes i am Griffeh.
just wondering if you have any form of instant messenger, as it would help me a great deal and a lot faster with the instant messages. if you have msn: e-griff (at) hotmail (dot) co (dot) uk

[Chewie]

ahhh

i must get new specs, i completely missed the part about you not having a sysfan 3 header, which is clearly marked up on the manual.

Hmm, if there's no sysfan 3 header, i'd likely turn round and get it RMA'd (return'd as defective under the fact that a; no power being available on the cpu fan header and b; no sysfan3 header either)

IIRC means If I Recall Correctly

[Chewie]

Elliot, can you check if, where the heatpipes turn towards the top of the board, how many header points are there, and between the pci and pci-e sockets are, what the text says. does it say X48 platinum v1.0 or v3.0

Im wondering if you has a v3 board as the pics im finding of v1 show the sockets as per the manual but i just found a pic of a v3 board with only the 1 header in the right area.

edit.

Elliot. added you to my msn but your offline atm. Ill be afk for the next 30-40

[Elliot]

right, the board is version 1.0, and as of yet i have had nothing pop up asking me to accept you,

try this: e-griff@hotmail.co.uk (previously i used text as to avoid search bots finding my email address and spamming me.)

just tried taking a picture of the connector, but my camera died and cant find any batteries. sure enough all that is there is 4 pin holes full of solder. no socket or anything.

any by the looks of it, i do think we will be returning the motherboard. its a shame since ive been waiting a week for the PC to be ordered etc, only to come across a series of problems.