Phantom(?) Startup-error 90B system-fan

[GDRx]

i started to get this error message on startup, about the fan problem a couple of days ago, but it seems to be an error.

It's obvious to me that the laptop doesn't have a heat-problem, and the fan must be working.  According to Core Temp software, both cores are hanging out at 55C after playing online-poker for several hours.  I played five-videos and poker-client together, to get the temp to 67, and it immediately dropped when i closed the videos all at once.

The only reason this is a nuicance, is that sometimes i have to pawn the machine, and now the pawn-shop is not going to take it - so how can i clear this up?  I saw some clues that this could be bios-related, but i updated that, and have used software to check that other drivers up to date.

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @GDRx,

Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues with help from the community! I came across your post and would like to help.

I understand that you have an HP Notebook and on startup, it gives an error message as "System Fan 90 B cooling fan not operating correctly." 

I recommend you to perform the following steps to isolate the issue and arrive at a fix: 

• Power off the laptop.
• Remove the battery out. If the battery is integrated and cannot be removed then leave it inside. 
• Disconnected AC adapter from the laptop.
• Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.
• Reconnect the battery and plug the AC adapter.
• Power ON the laptop.

I would like to know if the laptop is overheating and if could hear the fan making a loud noise? Meanwhile, I recommend you to perform the steps from this link to isolate and fix the issue: http://hp.care/2jUYrVH

I sincerely hope this fixes the issue. Feel free to let me know how it goes. All the best! 

Keep me posted,

If the information I've provided was helpful,

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons,

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[GDRx]

No, it did not help.  After following your instructions,  I still get the error message on startup, but the laptop is not over-heating, nor making excess noise.  i can use it for hours and the temp stays at 55, and to get it run as high as 80 i need to run the poker-client simultaneous with 5 videos.

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @GDRx,

Thanks for the update,

I would suggest you try to update the Bios, Chipset, graphics card drivers on your PC from our HP support website, using this link.

Also, download and install HP support assistant on your PC. It should automatically download and install the latest updates and drivers for your PC.

Refer this link to know how to use HP support assistant.

If the issue persists, I would suggest you run an extensive test on the System as well as on the Hard drive from F2 (Please capture the failure ID for further assistance).

Eagerly waiting for your response!

I hope you have a good day ahead,

And Feel free to ask your queries as this forum has some of the best people in the world available and ready to help.

Regards,

[AlexandruN]

Most of the time this error occurs when dust/hair accumulates in the fan.

Using a can of compressed air to dislodge any obstructions generally works fine.

Worst case scenario you could take to a local PC shop to have them open it up and clear out the dust for you. I wouldn't recommend opening up the laptop yourself as HP laptops tend to have a lot of screws and putting it back together would be quite the adventure.

If the above suggestions don't solve the issue, the fan would need to be replaced for the error to go away.

I wouldn't stress too much about it though, I've had this error occur just because a small piece of paper somehow got in and it was easely removed.

[GDRx]

Maybe I wasn't clear.  I used to do tech-services phone support myself, and prior to that had been a technical-services librarian.

All the drivers are up to date.  The system tests fine.

The laptop does not have a problem with over-heating.  It maintains a constant temperature under ordinary-use.  If I overstress it with a client-server application and 6 videos running simultaneously, it still stays within a safe operating range, and immediately cools down when the videos are closed.  So the fan must be working, but perhaps not to optimum.

The only error-message is the one-line message on startup.  I have watched youtube-videos of how hard it is to open one of these things up, and there is no reason to risk it or pay somebody to do it; because if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  I just want to get rid of the error-message.

I was mostly hoping that this was a known-issue with a known-fix.  But it seems rather to be a sensor-malfunction stemming from the fact that this machine certainly has collected alot of dirt over the years.  I am going to take it over to the quarter-carwash and suck the vents with the big vacuum.

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @GDRx,

Thank you for replying,

As I understand you have already performed these steps before, as well as you have already updated the drivers. Don't worry we'll work together to find a solution.

The following list describes some causes of excessive heat:  

• Dust inside the laptop.  

• A new component, such as a hard drive, is added. The extra component causes the power supply to work harder and generate more heat. Extra heat also radiates off the new component and adds to the temperature inside the case.  

• Over time, some cooling fans might slow down and wear out, as the laptop is getting hot, depending on the usage of the laptop.  

• High ambient room temperature.  

Step 1: Removing dust and lint by cleaning vents  

Step 2: Ensuring proper space for ventilation  

Step 3: Updating the BIOS  

Step 4: Using HP CoolSense technology  

Step 5: Placing the notebook in a cooler room  

Step 6: Testing for hardware failure  

If the hardware has failed, capture the failure ID and revert for further assistance.  

 
If the Fan is Noisy and Spins Constantly, PC is Warmer than Normal: Click here for more details. 

Please take your time and get back to me with the results,
 
I'll be awaiting your response and would be glad to help.
 
Feel free to post your query for any other assistance as well,
It's been a pleasure interacting with you and I hope you have a good day ahead.
 
If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accepted Solution.
And click on the Purple Thumbs up icon at the bottom of my comment. 

Regards,

[GDRx · Accepted solution]

It seems that there might be two fans, and when the core-temp gets up around 55c, they kick in to cool it off. If one was clogged with dust, that could generate the startup-error, while the second fan still can cool the machine sufficiently to keep the temp from getting higher.  This would be a bad-thing, because the overworked second-fan would eventually wear out.

Whether that was the case or not, vacuuming the vents at the car-wash cleared the startup-error.  The reason I think there might be a second fan is that I noticed heat coming out of some gills at the left-side, towards the rear of the machine, not just out the vents in the bottom.  Or maybe the vents on the bottom are just vents, and the fan blows out the side, which would make more sense anyway.

I do want to say though, using compressed air to blow the dust around inside the machine seems like a temporary solution, wheras sucking the vents with a car-vac while the machine is running seems like a better option, and, at least in this case, it worked.