Emergency

[cleolinda]

Okay, someone tell me what this means, or rather, what to do about it:

I boot up the computer, it says "CPU fan failure."

I boot it up again, and it says "Previous fan failure. System battery is low."

Is there some (relatively) easy replacement for both of these, or do I need to start selling kidneys pricing new computers?


ETA: It's a desktop. Yes, given that this is a possible overheating issue, I am treating this like an emergency.

Comments

[angelicus.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a motherboard issue. Do you have a system diagnostic program you can run?

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I don't know--does Windows have one?

[angelicus.livejournal.com]

If you have a big brand computer (HP/Dell/Gateway/etc), they usually include some type of diagnostic program you can find in your program list. Something like PC Doctor.

Your best bet is to take it somewhere like Best Buy and have the Geek Squad look at it. If it just needs a fan, you're in good shape. But the error saying your system battery is low makes me think it could be a motherboard problem. Either way, you'll need to take it in anyway.

[iamshadow.livejournal.com]

System batteries are cheaper than cheap to replace, if it's just the battery that holds the date/time settings.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I'm thinking I'm gonna have to take it in just so someone can show me how to even open it and find where the items in question are. And then at least I'll be on the premises to buy whatever I have to. How much will they charge me just for the looking-at?