Is it fine to ignore fan problem (error 90B) for light to medium use?

BunnyJ · Nov 10, 2021

Winuser said:
In post number 8 TheMystic stated that the laptop is clean and that nobody local has a replacement fan. If they really want to keep the laptop running, they could search online for a replacement fan. While they are at it, they could look for a replacement keyboard.

I would suspect there is one but the cost might be prohibitive in getting the replacement.

jvickers · Nov 10, 2021

BunnyJ said:
Ok.,. but why did you start this discussion for if you had no plans on doing anything to it?
If you're not having any issues just use it.

I was thinking the same thing. If the OP has no plans on doing anything to it, why ask for advice? Well, thinking on it more, there could have been an easy fix someone here might have had that didn't involve spending loot.

TheMystic · Nov 10, 2021

BunnyJ said:
Ok.,. but why did you start this discussion for if you had no plans on doing anything to it?
If you're not having any issues just use it.

I want to first make sure if it is safe to use the laptop with a noisy (but still working) fan, if the component temperatures are within normal range.

Also, to find out if there is something else (apart from dust which isn't present) that can make the fan noisy, assuming the fan isn't EOL.

jvickers · Nov 10, 2021

TheMystic said:
I want to first make sure if it is safe to use the laptop with a noisy (but still working) fan, if the component temperatures are within normal range.

Also, to find out if there is something else (apart from dust which isn't present) that can make the fan noisy, assuming the fan isn't EOL.

If you're concerned about temps, measure them using software or something. I use Core Temp to measure my CPU's temperature. It measures each core.

Core Temp

Core Temp is a compact, no fuss, small footprint, yet powerful program to monitor processor temperature and other vital information.

www.alcpu.com

That way, you'll know if it's in normal range.

Winuser · Nov 10, 2021

TheMystic said:
Is that likely to happen if the operating temperatures are just fine (mostly below 60°C)?

Only 2 important problems:

1. Broken Hinge (on one side)
2. Noisy Fan

Other unimportant problems:

3. Crackling speaker: not a major problem
4. Keyboard structure bent in a few places, but all keys are fully functional: not a major problem

Only expenses incurred so far:

1. Put a new SSD in the extra caddy available inside the laptop. The OS is installed on this.
2. Changed the battery with a local knock-off (original not available). I get about 2 hours of SOT.

Both the above done about 3 years back.

EVERYTHING works fine.

01. Laptop boots in under 10 seconds.
02. Runs cool.
03. Runs fast.
04. All 4 USB ports are fully functional.
05. WiFi works fine.
06. Display is fine.
07. Fingerprint sensor works fine.
08. Touchpad works fine.
09. Blue Ray player works fine.
10. Audio jack works fine.
11. HDMI port works fine.
12. Ethernet port works fine.

Why would you make a comment like that?

1. the laptop is 8 1/2 years old. Nothing last forever.
2. There is a reason you get the 90B error every time you start your laptop. I trust the built-in sensors more than I trust third party software.
3. The keyboard is bent and every time you open the laptop it gets more damage. Will it get damaged beyond repair the next time you open the laptop?
4. It has a broken hinge.
If you want to continue using the laptop as is, Jeff had a great suggestion of getting a cooling stand.

TheMystic · Nov 10, 2021

BunnyJ said:
I would suspect there is one but the cost might be prohibitive in getting the replacement.

Correct. This model is an imported one, and spares too will have to be imported, assuming they are still available.

TheMystic · Nov 10, 2021

jvickers said:
If you're concerned about temps, measure them using software or something. I use Core Temp to measure my CPU's temperature. It measures each core.

Core Temp

Core Temp is a compact, no fuss, small footprint, yet powerful program to monitor processor temperature and other vital information.

www.alcpu.com

That way, you'll know if it's in normal range.

CoreTemp, Speccy and SpeedFan are all reporting temperatures below 60°C most of the time, with occassional spikes.

jvickers · Nov 10, 2021

Winuser said:
2. There is a reason you get the 90B error every time you start your laptop. I trust the built-in sensors more than I trust third party software.

Out of curiosity, what's the alternative to third-party software if you're in the Windows environment already aside from purchasing physical tool to measure it? You could take a look in BIOS, obviously, but that the CPU wouldn't be under a load at that time. Something is better than nothing for an eyeball of temps in the Windows environment.

I just looked up the error 90B on an HP. It apparently is caused by the fan touching the fan case due to excessive play in the bearing. Here's another site on it:

How To Fix System Fan Error (90B) and Excessive Noise on HP x360 Laptop | Techs11

www.dognmonkey.com

TheMystic · Nov 10, 2021

Winuser said:
1. the laptop is 8 1/2 years old. Nothing last forever.
2. There is a reason you get the 90B error every time you start your laptop. I trust the built-in sensors more than I trust third party software.
3. The keyboard is bent and every time you open the laptop it gets more damage. Will it get damaged beyond repair the next time you open the laptop?
4. It has a broken hinge.
If you want to continue using the laptop as is, Jeff had a great suggestion of getting a cooling stand.

I don't close the lid at all. It just sits on my desk all the time. I cover it with a cloth when not in use.

I guess I made the keyboard problem sound worse than it is. Here is a picture taken just now. It isn't as bad as I may have made it sound.

TheMystic · Nov 10, 2021

jvickers said:
Out of curiosity, what's the alternative to third-party software if you're in the Windows environment already aside from purchasing physical tool to measure it? You could take a look in BIOS, obviously, but that the CPU wouldn't be under a load at that time. Something is better than nothing for an eyeball of temps in the Windows environment.

I just looked up the error 90B on an HP. It apparently is caused by the fan touching the fan case due to excessive play in the bearing. Here's another site on it:

How To Fix System Fan Error (90B) and Excessive Noise on HP x360 Laptop | Techs11

www.dognmonkey.com

Thanks for this link. This is very much a possibility in my case. I will probably open my laptop sooner than I thought I would.

jvickers · Nov 10, 2021

TheMystic said:
Thanks for this link. This is very much a possibility in my case. I will probably open my laptop sooner than I thought I would.

You're welcome. That's hopefully the issue. It's an easy enough fix, after all.

Winuser · Nov 10, 2021

jvickers said:
Out of curiosity, what's the alternative to third-party software if you're in the Windows environment already aside from purchasing physical tool to measure it? You could take a look in BIOS, obviously, but that the CPU wouldn't be under a load at that time. Something is better than nothing for an eyeball of temps in the Windows environment.

I just looked up the error 90B on an HP. It apparently is caused by the fan touching the fan case due to excessive play in the bearing. Here's another site on it:

How To Fix System Fan Error (90B) and Excessive Noise on HP x360 Laptop | Techs11

www.dognmonkey.com

The alternative is the built-in diagnostics. If the bearings are going bad and I think they are, the fan isn't going to run at the proper speed. There is also the possibility that the fan will stop working in the near future.

TheMystic · Nov 10, 2021

Winuser said:
The alternative is the built-in diagnostics. If the bearings are going bad and I think they are, the fan isn't going to run at the proper speed. There is also the possibility that the fan will stop working in the near future.

The noise I get is very similar to the one in the video link posted by @jvickers .

I think he has pointed me to the exact problem.

Winuser · Nov 10, 2021

@TheMystic, you posted that the fan is held in with thermal tape. I wonder if it would be possible to find a fan that is close enough in size that you could just tape in?

BunnyJ · Nov 10, 2021

jvickers said:
I was thinking the same thing. If the OP has no plans on doing anything to it, why ask for advice? Well, thinking on it more, there could have been an easy fix someone here might have had that didn't involve spending loot.

I fully understand the reluctance of wanting to take the laptop apart and I feel the same way with mine. Having installed all new parts I really don't want to take it apart again but I might add one or two more case fans for cooling

BunnyJ · Nov 10, 2021

jvickers said:
If you're concerned about temps, measure them using software or something. I use Core Temp to measure my CPU's temperature. It measures each core.

Core Temp

Core Temp is a compact, no fuss, small footprint, yet powerful program to monitor processor temperature and other vital information.

www.alcpu.com

That way, you'll know if it's in normal range.

Good software and a good tool to have.

jvickers · Nov 10, 2021

BunnyJ said:
I fully understand the reluctance of wanting to take the laptop apart and I feel the same way with mine. Having installed all new parts I really don't want to take it apart again but I might add one or two more case fans for cooling

I loathe taking apart laptops! The last one I took apart, I had three screws left over after reassembling it!

BunnyJ · Nov 10, 2021

jvickers said:
I loathe taking apart laptops! The last one I took apart, I had three screws left over after reassembling it!

I've never taken one apart.. and for good reasons.

TheMystic · Nov 10, 2021

Winuser said:
@TheMystic, you posted that the fan is held in with thermal tape. I wonder if it would be possible to find a fan that is close enough in size that you could just tape in?

Here is a picture:

The thermal tape I am referring to is marked with a blue arrow.

If I don't manage to fix it myself and If I don't find the original spare, I will see if another model can be used as a replacement.

That said, I see that the copper pipes are black in colour (marked with red arrow). Is that the colour of the pipe or have they turned black due to overheating?

jvickers · Nov 10, 2021

TheMystic said:
Here is a picture:

View attachment 13204

The thermal tape I am referring to is marked with a blue arrow.

If I don't manage to fix it myself and If I don't find the original spare, I will see if another model can be used as a replacement.

That said, I see that the copper pipes are black in colour (marked with red arrow). Is that the colour of the pipe or have they turned black due to overheating?

That black likely is from overheating. It should all be brass colored.