HAF X front fan sometimes fails to spin
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I've had the same issue with my side 200mm fan. I'm using a fan controller, I'm assuming it is because the voltage the controller is giving to the fan isn't enough to start it spinning, in it's current position, however it's enough to keep it going, once spinning.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, maybe just adjust whatever is controlling it (whether it's BIOS controlled, front panel controller etc) to have the minimum spin speed a little higher.
I wouldn't worry about it too much, maybe just adjust whatever is controlling it (whether it's BIOS controlled, front panel controller etc) to have the minimum spin speed a little higher.
The onboard (motherboard) connectors are powering the 200mm fans perfectly fine, but the front 230 is using the a 12v connector (the old style nightmare sockets that used to power drives who's name eludes me at the moment) adapter that come with the case for all the fans.
I have tried it on a MB connector, but that won't provide enough juice to keep it spinning, only the PSU connector will, it just won't start it, seemingly at all anymore. It's got me thinking it might never have done so (I have only finished building the PC yesterday).
I can't believe the PSU wouldn't be able to power it, it's only a fan after all!
Although I know I shouldn't have to do this, but would a small capictor on the power line to the fan help to kick start it?
I have tried it on a MB connector, but that won't provide enough juice to keep it spinning, only the PSU connector will, it just won't start it, seemingly at all anymore. It's got me thinking it might never have done so (I have only finished building the PC yesterday).
I can't believe the PSU wouldn't be able to power it, it's only a fan after all!
Although I know I shouldn't have to do this, but would a small capictor on the power line to the fan help to kick start it?
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Are you meaning one of the 4-pin molex connectors? If you are, it should be running at 100% all the time, so no reason why it wouldn't start. Have you checked it on a different connector, in case there's something wrong with the connector/rail?
Is there ANYTHING between the fan and the 12V supply?
Does it have a speed controller, a switch which lets you change speeds, a resistor on the wires?
If it is using any of that it may be undervolted, that would make it quieter but also may not provide enough force to start it turning.
Does it have a speed controller, a switch which lets you change speeds, a resistor on the wires?
If it is using any of that it may be undervolted, that would make it quieter but also may not provide enough force to start it turning.
There are two cables with 3 or 4 molex connectors (thank you for that one! 
It was doing my head in!) each, I have tried the fan on each one of these, I have also tried the 200mm fans on these. The 200s run up fine, the 230 doesn't.
There are nothing between the connector and the fan.
It's one of these connector "adapter" types, this is on the 140mm fan, but it's exactly the same connection on the 230mm : http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviewimages/coolermaster-haf-x/coolermaster-haf-x_pcie-fan.jpg. The case has 4, I have tried 2 different ones. But the same adapter works fine on either one of the 200s.
It was doing my head in!) each, I have tried the fan on each one of these, I have also tried the 200mm fans on these. The 200s run up fine, the 230 doesn't.There are nothing between the connector and the fan.
It's one of these connector "adapter" types, this is on the 140mm fan, but it's exactly the same connection on the 230mm : http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviewimages/coolermaster-haf-x/coolermaster-haf-x_pcie-fan.jpg. The case has 4, I have tried 2 different ones. But the same adapter works fine on either one of the 200s.
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I would say it is an issue with the fan then. Do the LEDs turn on, even when the fan doesn't?
Yes the LEDs are fine and the fan does work when you knock it forward, it's just like it can't get over the resistence to begin with.
I didn't get the case from OCuk (and I notice it's onsale this ruddy week!), so do you think this is an entire case send back job or not? Do manafacturers/shops send out replacement bits?
I didn't get the case from OCuk (and I notice it's onsale this ruddy week!), so do you think this is an entire case send back job or not? Do manafacturers/shops send out replacement bits?
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I don't know for sure, but I would guess that CM would do it part by part, rather than the whole case, as you can buy seperate parts (like fans, front/side panels) off their website. If there's definitely nothing that could cause a reduction in speed on the fan (fan controller, series resistor), then I would advise contacting CM, and see what they say about it. Also, whilst the fan is running, does it sound like it's hitting anything as it's going round?
No the fan sounds fine.
However the plot thickens. I suddenly realised I could connect the fan upto my other pc's psu and boot that up and see what the fan did...it spun up! First time!
My psu is an xfx 850 in the new box and an antec 650 in the old box. The new psu should be able to spin the fan shouldn't it?
I also tested it on every molex on the xfx and none of them work with it!
EDIT: it's this PSU - and from here.
However the plot thickens. I suddenly realised I could connect the fan upto my other pc's psu and boot that up and see what the fan did...it spun up! First time!
My psu is an xfx 850 in the new box and an antec 650 in the old box. The new psu should be able to spin the fan shouldn't it?
I also tested it on every molex on the xfx and none of them work with it!
EDIT: it's this PSU - and from here.
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Check the voltage with a multimeter, it would have to be way off to keep causing the problem.
The more you're sure of before sending it off the better.
One last thing is that its vaguely possible the PSU is wired incorrectly.
If for example someone wired the 5 and 12V wires to the wrong pins you'd be trying to run the fan on 5V from the molex.
Meanwhile on the old psu the voltage would be the correct 12V, resulting in the fan spinning up every time.
The more you're sure of before sending it off the better.
One last thing is that its vaguely possible the PSU is wired incorrectly.
If for example someone wired the 5 and 12V wires to the wrong pins you'd be trying to run the fan on 5V from the molex.
Meanwhile on the old psu the voltage would be the correct 12V, resulting in the fan spinning up every time.
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Now that's very strange lol I can't think of any reason why a PSU wouldn't be able to power a fan properly, but is still fine with the rest of the PC. I'm still kinda thinking it's the fan though, as I would have expected a MB to be able to power it, as it doesn't need much more power than a standard fan, and I've chained a couple of fans off MB headers before, and they were fine.
Right,
I tested several connectors, but long story short using a multi meter:
12v on the yellow 5v on the red. As it should be.
I have also tested it by adding an adapter to one of the molex's and plugging it into my blue ray drive and spins perfectly fine.
I tested several connectors, but long story short using a multi meter:
12v on the yellow 5v on the red. As it should be.
I have also tested it by adding an adapter to one of the molex's and plugging it into my blue ray drive and spins perfectly fine.
Just tested the old PSU and that sits below 12 and 5 respectivly, however it does spike the 12v to 12.3 every now and then where the XFX runs at a constant 12.11.
I can't believe such a difference would make a difference to the fan starting or not.
I can't believe such a difference would make a difference to the fan starting or not.
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I highly doubt it's the difference of voltages that's causing it not to spin, as I'm running mine off a front panel fan controller, and it's never failed to start up, even when on minimum (although the side 200mm does occasionally, but a quick tweek of the control dial sets it going), and I'm pretty sure the fan controller drops it to about 7V, maybe lower, although I haven't got round to measuring it, it's certainly less then 12.11V!
I contacted Cooler Master via the online chat. Before I got to really say what the problem was the rep just said he could make this easy, if I let him know my address he would send out a new fan. Result! And a doddle!
Well it is, if the fan is the problem, but I am almost certain it is.
Well it is, if the fan is the problem, but I am almost certain it is.
Had the same with my fans when I put them through 5V or used Akasa 3-Pin Fan Speed Reduction Cable, just wasnt enough juice to get them to spin, back on 12v worked without any issues. Believe its something about the initial power it gets to get it spinning but once it is, it's fine on a lower volt.
Weird problem, hoping it is just the fan. I used to have my front on a fan controller and it didn't give voltages but it did give rpm and it would start up as low as about 450rpm or so. Oh well, they are easy enough to change though so here to some good customer service.
It was just the fan. It arrived a few days later after speaking to CM. It arrived via DHL (surely the carriage was more than the fan?) and the driver said sometimes they send them on the plane if there is room.
Anyway, fitted and it fired up first time.
Just a couple of words of warning to other people getting these fans:
1) The front panel (which isn't mentioned in the manual) comes off the same way as the top panel (illustrated in the manual), but in order to get it clean off you need to un-hook the first set (nearest the front) on the top panel. It then slides out with ease.
2) The led switch cable is shorter than the one that's attatched to the fan that came with the case. Had to run the wires in a different way but I only found this out once I had fitted the fan and so had to take it out again.
Anyway, fitted and it fired up first time.
Just a couple of words of warning to other people getting these fans:
1) The front panel (which isn't mentioned in the manual) comes off the same way as the top panel (illustrated in the manual), but in order to get it clean off you need to un-hook the first set (nearest the front) on the top panel. It then slides out with ease.
2) The led switch cable is shorter than the one that's attatched to the fan that came with the case. Had to run the wires in a different way but I only found this out once I had fitted the fan and so had to take it out again.