Processing Fan On Computer?-Advice Would Be Appreciated

[Mitchell]

This question is being asked out of complete ignorance, because I'm not really tech savvy, but... is there something called a processing fan on a computer? I had to restart my computer late last night, after doing a special weekly cleanout of adware/spyware that I was advised to do. When my computer went back on, I got a message about a processing fan. Also, is a computer supposed to sound like it's making a fan noise, or air conditioning type noise, when it's on? I believe it used to sound that way, but now it just sounds quiet. My computer is working okay, as it isn't showing any viruses, and I can use it, but the message I got, plus the difference in sound, makes me wonder. Any info or advice on this situation would be appreciated. Thanks.

Mitch

 

[Bugman]

Mitch, something like this happend to me, but I didn't catch it in time. The fan quit working and the heat fried my computer. I'd we wary of leaving it on for long until you can have it fixed.

 

[Mitchell]

Ack, thanks bug! I leave it on 24-7, but in screen saver. Guess I have to turn it off now.

Mitch

 

[Bugman]

Ack, thanks bug! I leave it on 24-7, but in screen saver. Guess I have to turn it off now.

Mitch

If I'm going to be gone more that a day I shut the whole computer off. I learned an expensive lesson when my died.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Your computer, with near total-certainty, has a fan blowing air over, through, or on to a heat sink attached to your central processing unit. This is what keeps the thing cool, and boy does it need it.

I don't really know how the computer would produce a message that it is off. When your heatsink fan breaks, it tends to cause the computer to slow down a great deal and usually turn itself off unpredictably. (when the processor gets too hot) If you can hear the fan going, it's on. Beware, however, of other fans that might be confusing you, like those in power supplies or on a graphics card.

 

[Mitchell]

bug, I'm never gone more than a day. I'm home every day. I never leave the house for more than several hours for work, etc.

HDS: Thanks for the reply. I do a special adware cleanout every week recommended by Kurch. I've been doing it for about 2 yrs, since my adware virus in Feb 2008. After I've scanned the computer for the buildup of adware for that week, I usually have to reboot it, to remove the adware. As the computer is being rebooted, I got a beeping noise, and before the computer went back on, a message that said "Processor Fan Not Detected". After that message, the computer booted up, and works okay, knock on wood. Bug and Kurch told me such a message is a serious problem. I have e-mailed the computer store that fixed my comp when it had the 2008 adware virus. I will wait to see if they reply by email, and if not, will call them tomorrow morning.

Thanks for all the help guys. Hopefully I can make an appt to resolve this in the next 24 to 36 hrs.

Mitch