Motherboard Fan Stays On After UPS Service

[nibroc1]

We recently shut down our server to replace the batteries on its UPS. Normally, the fan runs on high when it is first booted up and then returns to low (or off) and is essentially noiseless. Since we replaced the UPS batteries, the fan stays on continuously and is quite noisy. I shut it down and plugged the computer into the wall outlet with the same results so I think I can disqualify the UPS as a problem, i.e., in the event it was getting inadequate power. I'm trying to figure out how the fan is controlled with the idea that perhaps something was reset during the battery replacement. However, I don't have a clue. Any ideas? Assistance is much appreciated.

[Bal]

Can you give us the make and model?

Has the Battery fully charged yet? as it could stay on till it's fully charged?

[nibroc1]

The batteries are fully charged and the problem remains. I'm not at my office but I believe the UPS is an APC XS1500 with a good display of charge and load status. The motherboard is a generic one that our server provider bought online five years ago.

[Bal]

I might have misread your post.

You said you plugged the machine direct to the Power on the wall and it's the machine that's making the fan noise?

Any sign's of dust ? and did you check the machine to make sure nothing came loose inside?

If it's the UPS, you can have it's fan on while it charges or trickle charging. How long ago did you replace the battery?

Was just reading somewhere that, you may need ot check the Battery for any cracks if it's just the UPS which has the issue, please report back.

[Bal]

Check here also
http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6672

[nibroc1]

I tried cleaning the dust out with compressed air after I first started seeing the problem. Didn't help. I didn't observe anything loose inside. The fan is on the computer, not the UPS. My mention of plugging the computer directly into the wall was just to emphasize that it doesn't appear to be a UPS problem which is what I suspected at the beginning when it went dead.

[jingda]

Check your CPU usage and see whether it is very high or low. Tell us the percentage for all the CPU usage.

[nibroc1]

CPU Usage varies from 0-15% but the median usage is probably 2-3%. Fan remains on during this time.

[Bal]

Can you boot into safe mode and see if the fan is still is running high?

Wondering if you have some service running which is stuck like Windows Update.

[dogbreath077]

Boot into the BIOS, and check your hardware configurations. You may find that the fan is set on high. I've seen BIOS settings reset for no reason at all, and a power flux can definitely do it. Also, is the server running normally?

[nibroc1]

I went into Safe Mode but fan continued to stay on. I got into the BIOS console but I didn't see a place for setting fan speeds. Usage continues to be almost negligible but fan stays on. ??

[Bal]

Just to make sure, which fan is spinning, CPU or case fan?

Please tell us you make and model of the Machine, as the Power Management section in the BIOS, should be where the fan settings are. If you are techinical, you could try doing BIOS default's but make a note fo what settings are their first.

[nibroc1]

I'm away from my office but I finally found the fan options before I left. I had the choice between acoustic and, I believe, high performance. Neither made any difference to the fan. It stayed on high.

[Bal]

Is it a case fan or CPU?

If case fan, there should be more than one connector on the motherboard for it, or you can get a converter for a 4pin molex to check it.

[nibroc1]

I'm not really sure. The airflow is out the back of the unit but inside it has a large plastic cowling with a 90 degree turn that directs the air right onto the motherboard and, I believe, on the processor.

[Bal]

What temp does the CPU show in the BIOS?

[nibroc1]

I won't be back in my office until Sunday but I don't recall seeing a temperature indicator in the BIOS. Is that pretty standard or is there some kind of application I need to load?

[Bal]

It's in the BIOS under the Power controls I think, also you may have motherboard utilites, but could get Speedfan

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

Allows you to adjust the fan speeds also.

[nibroc1]

The only indications that apply to the fan in the BIOS are for acoustic and performance. I've tried both without success. I don't see a temperature monitor at all. I installed Speedfan but there doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary. The fan that is on and so noisy is the one that cools the motherboard. It has a heavy-duty plastic cowling around it.

[Bal]

Any chance of taking photo's?