Yesterday I recieved a error message stating Fan not running properly: shut down to avoid serious damage. worded as close as remembered.
The computer was slow and pages not running properly at the time. My computer is never off and is a year old? I took off side cover and both fans were running?

Sheila

If one of the fans was stopped or running too slow you would receive that error message. If, as a result of the non-working fan, your processor was overheating, it may have throttled itself which would account for the slowness you described.

Try cleaning your fans with some compressed air to get all the dust out of them. Then, confirm they are all running smoothly.

-Ryan Adams
Free Computer Tips and more:http://RyanTAdams.com

Paid Tech Support: Black Diamond

Can you get into the BIOS ? If yes, try checking the cpu temperatures and also the cpu fan speed. In addition to what was suggested in response 1, you may have to remove the HS/F, clean off the old thermal paste(or pad), and then reapply a small amount of new thermal paste.

I would advise against removing the heatsink at this point. Since you are receiving an error about the fan, any heat related issues can most likely be attributed to a fan. Removing the heatsink at this time would just create another potential problem.

-Ryan Adams
Free Computer Tips and more:http://RyanTAdams.com

Paid Tech Support: Black Diamond

I agree-I only meant that if cleaning the fan doesn't work, then you might have to go with removing the heatsink.

I want to say thank you for the replies.. Yesterday I talked with Geeksquad and they said the makers of HP computer has found a false error message issue stating the fan isn't running properly.. Still I cleaned the internal parts with dust-off and connected online with Geeksquad.. I still don't understand why my computer slowed down and programs froze if it was false. but the report read as follows... and to all HP Pavillion owners I would ask about this new known error.

Client states that she is getting a error mgs saying that her fan is damage
client said that she is also hearing a clicking noise from the tower. she also states that her computer is running slower then usual
solution
had client restart her computer in mode ----- (
log into client computer
downlaod system analyer
the system seem to be fine...
client will call us back if needed
............................................. Thanks again! I will keep watch and back up my new graphics work.. Maybe I should by a external drive for my work? Sheila

Sheila