HowToFixComputers.com

MD1032 · Guest

Hi, I am looking to replace the case/CPU fan on my Dimension 4550. The
current fan is noisy and I'm looking to replace it with a better fan,
both in terms of its ability to NOT produce rattling and humming
sounds, and in its ability to cool. Here is the information as
displayed on the back of the fan:

JMC/Datech
9232-12HBTL-2
DC 12V 0.85A
02.08.22 (printed in black letters, maybe added by Dell)
DC Brushless Fan
P/N 9M060
E186583
Made in Taiwan

Take notice of the second line. The 9232 is the measurements of the
fan, and 12HBTL is the model #. haven't figured out what the 2 on the
end is yet. Not look at the third line. I'm not sure whether it is
supposed to be "0 85A" (with a space) or "0.85A" (with a period). I'm
assuming it's a period.

Anyway, by googling 12HBTL I found these two sites. The first is the
actual fan, an 80x80 version (I have 92mm). The second link is a
message board post relating to this topic and is how I found this
group.

http://www.directron.com/062012hbtl.html

http://www.computer-chat.com/homebuilt/Replace_Noisy_Case_Fan_in_a_Dell_Dimension_4300_PC_297214.html

Now here's some links to two fans I have my eyes on. Both look
superior to this fan and are excellent choices according to reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=35-118-204&depa=0

http://www.case-mod.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=640

So, does anyone have any comments on any of this? I would like to be
able to control the speed of the new fan with an Enermax Thermal
Monitor I'm getting for my unused 3.5" bay. Is this possible with
Dell's mobo configuration? If not, is there a way I can fool the mobo?
Thanks for all help.

S.Lewis · Guest

Some nice detective work, specifically with regard to the Datech you located
at Directron.

All of this is moot, however, if the Dell BIOS/mb pinouts don't recognize
the new fan as being present (by RPMs, I've read. The white lead of the
red,black, and white wires). You'll be presented with a "CPU0 fan failure"
or "previous fan failure" error message pre-POST on every boot.

I'm sure someone has found a way to cure this, but I've not seen it out of
the hundreds of fan threads I've read over the years.

Good luck.

Stew

"MD1032" <lawncutta@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:63b3a776.0404151306.37a225e@posting.google.com...

Ed Levy · Member Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

After many days of serching, I found the official source for replacing the original fan on my Dell Precision 340. I think this will give you the official source for replacing all JMC/DATECH fans. My particular fan was the 9232-12HBTL-2.

I got the official source by finding JMC Products on the web, which is the manufacturer of these fans.

The official distributer, as of 1/15/2007, is a company called Skyline Graphics. They only charged me about $16 for the fan and $5 for shipping so the total came to $21, much cheaper than any other source I found for fans that I was only hoping would be compatible. The guy I talked to there was very nice and assured me that the fan would be compatible, including that the wires would be in the right order on the plug (which is critical - Dell used a non-standard order for the wires and if the wires of the fan you get do not match that order, you have to rearrange them using a pin to take them out and then put them back in in the correct order). I was concerned about this on the supposedly compatible NMB fans I found or other fans that were on eBay, which were more expensive anyway. Maybe it is possible to get a better fan and have it be compatible, but I felt more comfortable using the same fan.

I just wanted to pass this along, as it took me a lot of time to find this information, and I'd like others to have less of a problem.

Regards,
Ed Levy

dreamshadow · Member Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

To be honest, my fan just failed yesterday, so I'm going to check this out. Thanks a lot, you guys.

jandermd · Member Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

my Dell Dimension 8200, when I boot up I get a message saying fan failure. Is it my case or CPU fan?

DLThompson · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

I also just started getting an error message about fan failure, and now that I think about it, I remember that the computer has been awfully noisy as of late whenever I turn it on. I checked the back of my computer, and neither fan is turning. I'm not sure which is which, but do I need to replace both of them? Or will replacing one correct the other? I'm assuming that one is the CPU fan, and the other is the case fan. The JMC/DATECH 9232-12HBTL-2 fan is the less substantial of the two. The other is locked inside a metal case at the top of my tower, and the power supply is located there. I looked up the Skyline Graphics website, but couldn't find a link to order the fan. Does anyone have a specific url address and/or a product number? Any other advice would also be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Guy · GURU Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 171

Guy · GURU Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 171

Typically, case fans are available for under $10, and the plugs are universally compatible. You should be able to DX that "92 mm" fan for any off-the-shelf 80 mm without an issue.
_________________
Guy

Guy · GURU Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 171

DLThompson · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

Hi Guy, thanks for the reply. I guess both the fan on my power supply, as well as the case fan are not working. Not sure when that happened, but I am assuming that they will both need to be replaced. As per Ed's earlier post, I did manage to find the Skyline Graphics website where the new case fan can be obtained. Here's the link, for others who may need it:

http://www.homestead.com/prosites-skyline/files/index.html

Click on the Contact Us link for their e-mail address and phone number. I actually e-mailed them earlier today, but didn't expect a reply until at least tomorrow, since it's Sunday. To my surprise, I was e-mailed back right away and was quoted the same price that Ed quoted ($16 + $5 S&H). I'll give them a call in the morning and order the part.

As for the power supply, here's what I need:

http://www.centrix-intl.com/showpix.asp?pixsource=00n380.jpg&pixselect=00n380.jpg

It's a 250 Watt Dell Power Supply, part number 0N380. The fan on the back isn't turning. Is that something that's always supposed to be on? Or does it only come on when it's needed? Anyone have a good (cheap) source for these? What are your thoughts on refurbished units? Are they worth the risk? Or am I just better off replacing it with a new one? Is there an alternate that would make a good substitution? Thanks again for your time.

Debbie

Guy · GURU Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 171

Not all motherboards have temperature sensors everywhere. If you have your mobo model #(not chipset) you can find out which parts of the chipsets are monitored.

Fans: Fans are no big deal to replace. Compare noise level in decibels and the volume of air moved. Sleeve bearings are quieter than ball bearings, but ball bearings last longer.

Power Supply: Unless you have a micro case, you do not need to worry about finding an identical power supply; any PSU will just drop in the case. If it is a micro PSU, make sure your replacement PSU is the same size dimensions.

The wattage rating does not need to match; i.e., replacing your 250-watt PSU with a 300-watt or 500-wattt PSU will not harm your PC. Just make sure the replacement has all the connectors you need for your board, SATA drives, etc. New PSUs typically have every connection you could possibly need because they are designed to be universal replacements, but check first.

Refurbs with warranties should be ok; more expensive PSUs are typically built better. I bought two cheap A-Power brand units two years ago, and one of them is still running. The other died, and I replaced it with a NOT cheap Antec that I expect to run for LONG time.
_________________
Guy

DLThompson · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks so much Guy. That helps a lot. I'll let you know what I figure out on the power source. As for the fan, I spoke with Charles Boyd at Skyline Graphics this morning, and he is indeed very helpful. He was pleased to learn that people were finding him on this website. He said the fan would go out today and I should receive it Wednesday or Thursday. How's that for service? Thanks again for your help.

JCS · Member Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

I just ordered two of the Datech 12HBTL fans for a Dell 4300 from Skyline Graphics in Dallas Texas. Price still $16 plus $5 shipping, whether you buy one or two. Gentleman named Charles is a pleasure to deal with. Also, fans carry 1 year warranty and are sealed ball bearing, not bushing where dust gets inside to ruin the bushing. All leads and specs same as Dell unit. Haven't received them yet but very confident after speaking with Charles.
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James

Overclocked · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:32 am Post subject: Re: Replacing a Dell case/CPU fan

<moved from the new forum>

Reply from Bartman:

I read on an old thread on HTFC about Skyline Graphics selling Dell replacement fans. I want to keep that resource alive for all of you who need to replace a Dell fan but I can't seem to post to the old thread.

Anyway, I needed to replace the CPU fan for my Dell Dimension desktop. Dell doesn't sell the fan on-line (I tried). The JMC/DATECH 9232-12HBTL-2 DC 12V 0.85A 92mm x 32mm fan has a built-in thermal sensor and tach pickup. The motherboard must sense fan speed from the tach lead on the fan or the motherboard will give an error code at start-up and won't run. So, any old 92mm fan will not work for the Dell Dimension PC; the fan must have three wires, one of which is the tach lead.

Charles at Skyline Graphics (skyline-graphics.net) sold me a new replacement fan JMC 9232-12HBTL for $16 plus $6 shipping and $1 extra for the rubber isolation mounts (I tore one old one during removal, so the $1 was a good investment for me).

I ordered the fan on Monday morning and it arrived in Los Angeles by Priority Mail on Wednesday. Removal and replacment took about 5 minutes and now everything works great.

Hope this helps someone else.