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Aurora R3 - core temps fine, fan running at 4K RPM
Hey,
I've owned this Aurora R3 for about two years now. About a year ago, the fan started making a lot of noise one day. Just completely random; apparently no trigger. A month or two passed and the fan just suddenly went back to normal. It never gave me any problems since, until today.
Right now the fan is spinning at roughly 4000 RPM even though my core temperatures are fine (low 30s idle). I've looked around all over the net looking for a solution but I'm at a loss. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Command Center, running the PSA diagnostics and doing a power dissipation process (whatever it's called... hold down the power button while unplugged for 20 seconds, give it 20 seconds more, then plug in and turn it on). None of these things worked and the fan is so incredibly loud it is just distracting to say the least. Oh, I also updated the BIOS to v11A.
So... Anyone know how to fix my noisy fan? I just want it to stop one way or another. Any help is greatly appreciated. :)
Tesla1856
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November 4th, 2014 17:00
Are you running CPUID HW-Monitor to see your real core and motherboard socket temps?
Have you tried a Manual-Curve? Or just Manual (low) to see if you have ANY control?
Are the Lights working?
If talking about the main radiator fan ... IIRC, we don't have control of that one. It only responds to (as required) to main processor temps.
renofrompr
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November 4th, 2014 20:00
Yep, temperatures are all fine and lights are all working. I tried a Manual setting in the Command Center but that didn't do anything.
And yes, I guess that's the radiator fan. The big one in the back of the case with the tubes coming out of it.
I don't know what else to try... it's definitely not an overheating issue because the fan goes haywire (3-4k RPM) from the moment I turn the computer on. Even after it's been off for a while.
Anything else I could try aside from CC settings to control it?
edit: In the Command Center I can only set Manual for the PCI Fan and Hard Drive Fan. However, System Fan, which is sitting at ~3880 RPM can't be adjusted. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but... is there any way around this?
Tesla1856
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November 4th, 2014 21:00
1. Right. So can you set them to manual and control them?
2. Right (like I said, that's by design). Are you reading HW-Monitor right? Are you sure no one has been messing with cables?
renofrompr
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November 5th, 2014 08:00
1. Right, but I've tried both the Fixed and Curve options to no avail. No matter how low I set it to, the fan won't budge.
2. I'm pretty sure I'm reading HWM right. Processor temps are high 20s - low 30s atm, and I guess that other thing I'm seeing is the mobo temps?... says "Alienware 046MHW". Temps on that are 39 and 29 degrees. And yea, I'm sure no one has been messing with the cables.
Thanks for trying to help btw. :)
Tesla1856
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November 5th, 2014 12:00
Yes, I understand the problem, but please slow down and read questions carefully before answering.
What I am asking is:
The PCI (video card) Fan and Hard-Drive Fans, that DO have options for being controlled in Command Center ...
If you set them to Manual, can you at least control those two?
renofrompr
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November 6th, 2014 04:00
Yes, I can set them to Manual and control them according to the Command Center.
P.S. I'm not sure if it's worth mentioning this, but there is a little [closed] lock icon next to the values for PCI Fan RPM and Hard Drive Fan RPM.
edit: here take a look
Tesla1856
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November 6th, 2014 13:00
1. Ok, good. Needed to know that.
2. That means you have it Fixed or "Locked" instead of Manual/Curve. Just so you know Manual/Curve behaves just like Auto, but you define the limits. I suggest users use it instead of Auto, simply because you have much more control and everything is clearly defined.
Tesla1856
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November 6th, 2014 13:00
1. What version of Windows are you running?
2. DO NOT update Command Center or Thermal Controls, but I wonder ... what version is this? It looks old.
Tesla1856
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November 6th, 2014 13:00
See this post about how it all works.
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19454040
Press F12 when computer boots. Outside of Windows, go into Hardware Diagnostics. Test MIO-Board and "exercise" the radiator or System fan. This often resets it. If it gets stuck on high-speed, just power off machine and Power Dissipate.
dfernand
16 Posts
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April 21st, 2016 06:00
Ok I'm on Windows 10 Pro right now latest version v1511 (on my Aurora R3) and I've had countless problems with the fans and with experience I've got it under control with two methods, note for both methods it's highly advisable that you when you finish working on your PC that you put it into SLEEP MODE via the Window Start menu for example NOT a POWER SHUT DOWN either via the hardware button OR that same Power Windows menu option as that has a good chance of messing up the fans again, also under the Windows 10 Control Panel->Hardware and Sound->Power options settings I have Balanced and under "Change advanced power settings" link I have "Alien FX" set to OFF (I dunno if that really makes a difference with all of this but here goes:
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(1) METHOD ONE TO FIX THE FANS GOING AT 100% AND GET THEM TO A MORE NORMAL LEVEL (MORE CONVENIENT OPTION):
If for whatever reason the fans constantly whirl at 100% don't panic, wait for Windows 10 to boot or if you are in Windows 10 and have just woken the machine put the machine into SLEEP MODE via the Windows 10 Start Menu -> Power options, then bring it out of sleep and it should fix it. If this doesn't work power down the Aurora R3 using the hardware power down switch (press of 5 seconds) then wait 8 seconds and press the power switch again (you may get the fans at 100% still but don't worry boot to windows 10) - then when Windows 10 is open go into SLEEP MODE, then come out of sleep mode and the should be normalized at 8%-18% or whatever the standard setting is. I am running Alienware Command Center dunno which version (it doesn't state in the software) but I know that I installed App_DT_AWCC_W7_X04_Setup_TD4C0_ZPE.exe from the official Dell site, it sort of half works some of the sensors are not picking up temps. and the lighting no longer is controllable via this app but you should get some reading.
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(2)METHOD ONE TO FIX THE FANS GOING AT 100% AND GET THEM TO A MORE NORMAL LEVEL (SLIGHTLY MORE INCONVENIENT OPTION):
Ok, this is a slight pain but it works, try it if method 1 is not working... power down your Alienware Aurora R3 completely .. and make sure that you UNPLUG THE POWER from the Aurora R3, press down the Power switch at the front of the Aurora R3 for about 1 minute to ensure that all power is drained. Then find the Aurora R3 MIO sister board which controls the Lighting / Fans inside the case (should be near the front of the case). then unplug the power lead on the MIO Sister board which powers it (I think I remember that it's a white plastic headed 4-pin not 100% on this - wiggle it out gently if it's stiffly locked in). Next Power Up your Aurora R3 into Windows 10 (the fans will be belting at 100%) and when you fully enter Windows 10 wait about 1 minute or so and then quickly Power down (do not leave the fans running at 100% with no control !). Next replug the power lead that on the MIO Sister board in the Aurora R3, close the case and boot up your Aurora R3, the fans should have normalized at the usual 4%-18% whatever the normal is for your environment, I suggest from now on you put the Alienware R3 into SLEEP MODE when you don't need it and DO NOT POWER DOWN as powering down and then up seems to trigger the fan problem..
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enjoy