20/60/80gb fan test safe or not?

[shinigami8912]

i was wondering if it was possible to do a fan test for my 80gb ps3, so i found this video http://youtube.com/watch?v=AcHJzhzUCYk
so what i want know is if this is safe? some comments say that it chokes the ps3, so i just want to know what you'all think of this.

[seebs]

By most accounts, that "fan test" is simply forcibly overheating the machine so that it goes into overdrive trying to keep from breaking.

I would say this is "safe" the way it is "safe" to run a car with no oil on the freeway to make sure the oil temperature and pressure gauges are working, or to cut a tree down to see how old it is. I would not do it under essentially any circumstances.

The older models do not have a fan test. They have a way to force the fan to try desperately to keep you from permanently damaging the machine... But the fan may not be able to succeed, and if it doesn't, congratulations, you just destroyed a $500 piece of gaming hardware for absolutely no reason or benefit whatsoever. I'd suggest it'd be much more rational to use burning $100 bills to light cigarettes.

[Highdef]

By most accounts, that "fan test" is simply forcibly overheating the machine so that it goes into overdrive trying to keep from breaking.

I would say this is "safe" the way it is "safe" to run a car with no oil on the freeway to make sure the oil temperature and pressure gauges are working, or to cut a tree down to see how old it is. I would not do it under essentially any circumstances.

The older models do not have a fan test. They have a way to force the fan to try desperately to keep you from permanently damaging the machine... But the fan may not be able to succeed, and if it doesn't, congratulations, you just destroyed a $500 piece of gaming hardware for absolutely no reason or benefit whatsoever. I'd suggest it'd be much more rational to use burning $100 bills to light cigarettes.

LOL i actually agree....But then again, you could be curious? :-D

[Miney]

By most accounts, that "fan test" is simply forcibly overheating the machine so that it goes into overdrive trying to keep from breaking.

I would say this is "safe" the way it is "safe" to run a car with no oil on the freeway to make sure the oil temperature and pressure gauges are working, or to cut a tree down to see how old it is. I would not do it under essentially any circumstances.

The older models do not have a fan test. They have a way to force the fan to try desperately to keep you from permanently damaging the machine... But the fan may not be able to succeed, and if it doesn't, congratulations, you just destroyed a $500 piece of gaming hardware for absolutely no reason or benefit whatsoever. I'd suggest it'd be much more rational to use burning $100 bills to light cigarettes.

Very well put indeed.

This guy is spot on. I wouldn't bother.

[Phantasmn]

By most accounts, that "fan test" is simply forcibly overheating the machine so that it goes into overdrive trying to keep from breaking.

I would say this is "safe" the way it is "safe" to run a car with no oil on the freeway to make sure the oil temperature and pressure gauges are working, or to cut a tree down to see how old it is. I would not do it under essentially any circumstances.

The older models do not have a fan test. They have a way to force the fan to try desperately to keep you from permanently damaging the machine... But the fan may not be able to succeed, and if it doesn't, congratulations, you just destroyed a $500 piece of gaming hardware for absolutely no reason or benefit whatsoever. I'd suggest it'd be much more rational to use burning $100 bills to light cigarettes.

Well said Seebs :lol:. Basically, if it isn't in the hardware manual, don't do it. There is a reason for it not being listed in the manual.

[gruddy]

i wouldnt recommend it.
i tried it without thinking and luckily i havent experienced any damage a month onwards.

i only ran the test for under a minute, and so i think im ok.
its best to be on the safe side and not try it though

[iBlake]

I did it once before I found out it was unsafe only for about 30 seconds. That was months ago and my PS3 is fine.

[HWMbrogden]

I would not suggest it being that like previously said you are potentially breaking a, in my case, $600 machine in order to 'test' a friggin fan. If you are really that curious just open the mother up and void your warranty and go mythbusters on that ish.

[Jaeger]

Basically, if it isn't in the hardware manual, don't do it. There is a reason for it not being listed in the manual.
Then again, if we weren't meant to do it, why did Sony leave the function in the final model? I've done the test numerous times since I've got it, and my PS3 is still working fine. The test is 100% safe to do, and is actually encouraged to help clean the insides.

[Tj-Max]

I wish there was an option to have the fans shut the hell up, as loud as they are.
I just don't understand why they need to kick into 2nd/3rd gear when only playing music or just sitting idle. When normal CD/MP3 players have no trouble.

[seebs]

Then again, if we weren't meant to do it, why did Sony leave the function in the final model?

They didn't.

I've done the test numerous times since I've got it, and my PS3 is still working fine. The test is 100% safe to do, and is actually encouraged to help clean the insides.

On the 40GB model, it is safe, and may even be encouraged, because it is an actual feature.

On the 20/60/80, there is no "fan test" feature, any more than my laptop has a "fan test" feature where you cover the exhaust vent.

Even if it works sometimes without breaking, that's not proof that it's safe. People play russian roulette and live quite often.

[~NeonFire~]

By most accounts, that "fan test" is simply forcibly overheating the machine so that it goes into overdrive trying to keep from breaking.

I would say this is "safe" the way it is "safe" to run a car with no oil on the freeway to make sure the oil temperature and pressure gauges are working, or to cut a tree down to see how old it is. I would not do it under essentially any circumstances.

The older models do not have a fan test. They have a way to force the fan to try desperately to keep you from permanently damaging the machine... But the fan may not be able to succeed, and if it doesn't, congratulations, you just destroyed a $500 piece of gaming hardware for absolutely no reason or benefit whatsoever. I'd suggest it'd be much more rational to use burning $100 bills to light cigarettes.
Couldn't have said it any better myself.

[Tha_Bounce]

it sounds like the worst idea ever! Why would you ever want to do such a thing. Pure idiocy!

[wunderless]

They didn't.



On the 40GB model, it is safe, and may even be encouraged, because it is an actual feature.

On the 20/60/80, there is no "fan test" feature, any more than my laptop has a "fan test" feature where you cover the exhaust vent.

Even if it works sometimes without breaking, that's not proof that it's safe. People play russian roulette and live quite often.
So it's okay on the 40 but nothing else? Why is it okay on one, but not the other? (Not arguing really curious)
How do you do it?

[seebs]

So it's okay on the 40 but nothing else?

Yes.

Why is it okay on one, but not the other? (Not arguing really curious)

The 40GB has a fan test feature. The other models don't.

Some absolute genius, a true paragon of human intellect, discovered a way to make the system fan go on full blast, and concluded that it was a "fan test". In fact, the way it's done is simply to prevent the system from cooling adequately, so it goes psycho trying to save itself.

It's a "fan test" the way holding someone's head under water until he thrashes wildly is an "arm movement test".

How do you do it?

On the 40GB, there's some documented feature; not having a 40GB, I never looked for details. On the 20/60/80, you do it by preventing the system from cooling enough, and you run a real risk of permanent damage. (Not a guarantee, just a real risk.)

[shinigami8912]

yeah, i pretty much figured it wasn't safe, thats why i made this thread, to let people who know what they're talking about commet. better than just letting people run across this (and other vids on youtube) and trying it with no warning. thankyou seebs and evryone else for their input.

[Nakatomi Uk]

How is the fan test forcibly heating up the machine ?????? to me that sounds a little to far fetched don't you mean it's forcing the fans to spin at the fastest RPM which shifts dust etc.

All it's doing to puttin the PS3 in it's test software mode before boot up and powering all the fans to full to make sure it's all working original you would have the cover off to be looking inside when you do it.

It's techincally for engineers only I wouldn't recommend it just get a micro fiber duster & a vacume cleaner or a can of compressed air that'll help.

[seebs]

How is the fan test forcibly heating up the machine ??????

The actual fan test is not.

But the 20/60/80 do not have a fan test.

So someone figured out a way to force them to overheat, and make the fan speed up: You put the machine upside down. This makes the hot air tend to go back into the machine, making it overheat.

to me that sounds a little to far fetched don't you mean it's forcing the fans to spin at the fastest RPM which shifts dust etc.

No, I do not. The way it forces the fans to go to their fastest speed is this: On the 20/60/80, there is no "fan test" mode. So! The fans are controlled by the machine in response to heat sensors. Machine cools down, fans slow down. Machine speeds up, fan speeds up.

If you can make the machine overheat, the fans will go as fast as they can.

That's all the "fan test" for the 20/60/80 models is.

All it's doing to puttin the PS3 in it's test software mode before boot up and powering all the fans to full to make sure it's all working original you would have the cover off to be looking inside when you do it.

No, that's the 40GB "fan test", which is an actual programmed-in test mode.

It's techincally for engineers only I wouldn't recommend it just get a micro fiber duster & a vacume cleaner or a can of compressed air that'll help.

I would actually agree with this even with respect to the 40GB.

[Faceless]

SO what is this "fan test" on the 40GB? I cannot watch the video, YouTube is blocke @ work.

Oh and seebs. No matter how bold you make your key points, people will not pay attention to what you have to say. The question will still be asked, How do I do this on my 60GB...

[wunderless]

Yes.



The 40GB has a fan test feature. The other models don't.

Some absolute genius, a true paragon of human intellect, discovered a way to make the system fan go on full blast, and concluded that it was a "fan test". In fact, the way it's done is simply to prevent the system from cooling adequately, so it goes psycho trying to save itself.

It's a "fan test" the way holding someone's head under water until he thrashes wildly is an "arm movement test".



On the 40GB, there's some documented feature; not having a 40GB, I never looked for details. On the 20/60/80, you do it by preventing the system from cooling enough, and you run a real risk of permanent damage. (Not a guarantee, just a real risk.)
Thanks seebs!
I have a 40g but think I'll not be doing this.
I don't know what the rep thing is or how it works, but +rep to you. (Do I have to notify a mod or something for that?)

[Eddian!]

By most accounts, that "fan test" is simply forcibly overheating the machine so that it goes into overdrive trying to keep from breaking.

I would say this is "safe" the way it is "safe" to run a car with no oil on the freeway to make sure the oil temperature and pressure gauges are working, or to cut a tree down to see how old it is. I would not do it under essentially any circumstances.

The older models do not have a fan test. They have a way to force the fan to try desperately to keep you from permanently damaging the machine... But the fan may not be able to succeed, and if it doesn't, congratulations, you just destroyed a $500 piece of gaming hardware for absolutely no reason or benefit whatsoever. I'd suggest it'd be much more rational to use burning $100 bills to light cigarettes.


and also those moments of overheating before the fan kicks in and while the fan cools down the components can create little bits of damage that will shorten your ps3's lifespan.............

[seebs]

SO what is this "fan test" on the 40GB? I cannot watch the video, YouTube is blocke @ work.

A combination of button presses and suchlike that cause it to spin the fan up even though it is not overheated.

Oh and seebs. No matter how bold you make your key points, people will not pay attention to what you have to say. The question will still be asked, How do I do this on my 60GB...

I know, but I figure I might convince a couple of people not to brick a beautiful piece of hardware.

[Nakatomi Uk]

The actual fan test is not.

But the 20/60/80 do not have a fan test.

So someone figured out a way to force them to overheat, and make the fan speed up: You put the machine upside down. This makes the hot air tend to go back into the machine, making it overheat.



No, I do not. The way it forces the fans to go to their fastest speed is this: On the 20/60/80, there is no "fan test" mode. So! The fans are controlled by the machine in response to heat sensors. Machine cools down, fans slow down. Machine speeds up, fan speeds up.

If you can make the machine overheat, the fans will go as fast as they can.

That's all the "fan test" for the 20/60/80 models is.



No, that's the 40GB "fan test", which is an actual programmed-in test mode.



I would actually agree with this even with respect to the 40GB.

I apologise I didnt know that, I thought all consoles had the fan test I understand the upside down heating up trick thou I've seen it.

[PsychoMantis]

I wouldn't do it man Id just let it be if your having problems contact Sony about it.

[MACABRE]

ill jus use a vacume
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ?

[Tyrien]

The new 80GB (a 40 with an 80HDD) and 160 (a 40 with a 160HDD) will likely have the feature built in.

[CCourtney]

ill jus use a vacume
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ?

WOW!!!!!!! Thanks so very much for reviving a DEAD THREAD with a USELESS POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!!!

TAZ427