CPU Fan Stops Spinning After Windows 7 Boots

[ykisana]

I built a computer, and I am using a Core™ i5-3570K Processor w/ Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H Motherboard, and I am using the stock CPU Fan (that comes with the Processor), I noticed that the CPU Fan only spins when the computer is booting, then stops spinning when it has finished booting (when windows has fully loaded). When I go into my BIOS Settings, the CPU Fan still spins. But when it boots Windows, it suddenly stops. I have tried unplugging my CPU Fan from the motherboard and plugging it in again, but that doesn't seem to fix it. It is in the correct socket... does anyone know how to fix this? I'm quite sure it's a BIOS Settings Issue (please let me know if it is not), if it is how to do I fix it from the BIOS?

 

[ykisana]

Can anyone help?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

How do you know it is not spinning?

By eyesight?

By ear?

By reading RPM from a program of some kind?

If it were not spinning, I'd expect the PC to shut down pretty quickly due to heat issues.

 

[ykisana]

By eye, I have opened the case because the computer was freezing and I wanted to see what was causing it. So I noticed the CPU Fan stops spinning when Windows 7 has fully booted (around 5 seconds after I can see the desktop).

 

[ykisana]

Also, when I booted in safe mode, the fan was still spinning.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I assume you cannot get to a fully booted Windows and operate normally?

Did this fan EVER operate properly on this motherboard with this Windows installation?

Have you reset the BIOS to defaults?

 

[ykisana]

Windows 7 does operate normally. Until it freezes... but, how can I reset my BIOS settings? I know it's a dumb question... but I have never used the GIGABYTE BIOS before.

 

[ykisana]

And this is a brand new build, 2-days ago. So, I'm quite sure it never operated properly. Also, if you think a part is defective please let me know which one you think it is.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You should be able to enter the Gigabyte BIOS by holding down the delete key while booting.

Then look for "load optimized defaults" or "load failsafe defaults" or something similar. Save and exit.

It may not help.

Have you knowingly made any changes in the BIOS?

You built it 2 days ago. Were you able to get to a desktop without freezing and do some normal stuff at that time? If so, I'd assume the fan was spinning. Intels are supposed to shut down before heat damage can occur, but I'm not sure if they can operate at a light load without a fan without reaching critical heat levels and shutting down.

Is that fan a 4 pin fan and does the CPU fan header have 4 pins? I assume the fan connector cannot be installed onto those 4 pins in any other fashion, such as rotated 180 degrees?

 

[ykisana]

It's a 4-pin fan. I will try resetting my BIOS.

 

[ykisana]

I was able to do some normal stuff before, then I shut it down, and the next day it began to freeze. I'm currently checking my HDD for errors (it's been like 30 min now) and the CPU Fan is running. And it's the Windows 7 error check. But when Windows 7 fully boot (desktop) it will probably freeze...

 

[ykisana]

Resetting the BIOS didn't help.

 

[ykisana]

I unplugged the CPU Fan from the CPU_Fan slot and put it in a SYS_FAN slot. And the CPU Fan seems to be working at all times. My question is, would this affect anything?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm not sure----I'd at least try to contact Gigabyte support and see what they have to say in general.

 

[ykisana]

Where can I contact Gigabyte support? Any sort of phone support?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

GIGABYTE - Support & Downloads - Technical Support

 

[Dwarf]

No, that won't affect anything at all. It just means that the fan will run continuously at its rated speed, instead of dynamically varying it according to demand.

The problem could lie with the fan itself or the motherboard. Basically, the 4th pin on the connector is what controls the fan speed by means of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). The other 3 pins are as for standard fans - +12V, OV, and speedsense (RPM). If such a fan that has a 4-pin connector is inserted into a 3-pin motherboard connector, then the 4th pin will be left unconnected. By default, the fan will then run at full speed.

 

[DavidE]

Hi ykisana,
You said the fan works when you boot in Safe Mode.

Some things you could check:

Did you install any utilities that might cause this ?
i.e. AMD Overdrive, Gigabyte ET6, etc.

Disable all msconfig startup programs except security program(s).

Check your Power Plan settings and try some changes.

If your current settings set the CPU min state to 5%, change it to something higher such as 100%.
Change the "System Cooling Policy" setting.
These settings should not turn off the CPU fan, but if they do, it may help when you contact Gigabyte support.​