I have a Dell Dimension #2350, XP Pro. Pent. 4. My computer worked fine until two weeks ago. It booted up correctly in the morning, but when I came home in the afternoon, I got the BIOS screen. It said" CPU fan not detected. There has been no noise, beeps, or shutting down. I am going to school online, and have had to go to the library and two hours traveling to the school to use other computers. If I hit F1 it boots up.

Does this mean that I need to get a new CPU fan and shroud assembly? Dell is in Austin, Texas, and it takes 2-3 weeks for the part to arrive. I am on SS and the part only costs $14 but would cost near $40 to have it shipped to me. Please advise, for I have never been inside a computer before nor know how to get it open or replace parts. I first got on a computer in April of 2003!

Hello Dixie Scott, welcome to PCHF.

Is the fan actually working when you open up the PC? Also, double check that the fan is connected correctly to the port on the motherboard marked CPU Fan.

I have never been inside a computer so don't know that lol. It worked up until almost 3 weeks ago come Wednesday in the morning and when I returned home got the BIOS menu. I get it everytime now. No beeps, no sounds nothing. I know nothing about inside of computers! Thanks.

Hi Dixie,

It's quite easy to do, normally only 4 screws holding the case of the PC. Once the case is open, you will see the CPU fan in the center. The "CPU Fan Detected" is a hardware problem Dixie. I can either talk you through resolving your issue, or you will need to take your PC to a computer repair shop. Also, please don't confuse the BIOS menu with the post screen, these are very different:

Example of BIOS menu:


Post Screen example:

I get the second screen you showed with Energy at the top! What, it will be hard to close the unit again? I need to find someone to help me with this. I do not know where a repair shop is neither do I have a car. I am 57 on SS and disabled. Thanks folks!

Hi there!

It shouldn't be too difficult to do, If you can give me the model number of the Dell you have I could find the service manual for you to have a look at and see if your comfortable with it.

If not all I can suggest is seeing if having a quick search for a shop in your area and/or one that does 'house calls' if it is indeed what we suspect it should not cost you much at all.

Thanks

-Lebowski