I am running Mandrake 10 on an Averatec 3150P. Recently (but not regularly), the fan has failed to turn on after booting up. In particular, it turns on during boot up, then switches off and never comes on again. When this happens, the area near the battery (presumably where the processor is located) gets really hot and within minutes the computer unexpectedly powers down without warning of any kind. This happens regardless of whether I'm on AC or battery. This is troublesome and, to say the least, awfully inconvenient - especially if I havn't saved my work prior to the shutdown. Plus, since I use the computer to take notes in class, I miss about 5 minutes of lecture while rebooting, checking the hard disc, etc.

On a positive note, the excess heat has managed to loosen up the Win XP sticker a bit.

Can anyone offer any insight about this problem?

Thanks.

ya, get the fan replaced b4 your shopping for a new laptop

yes - that seems like a pretty obvious solution; however, I've had fan problems with other computers in the past and they've always been indicated by the fan sputtering and coughing before dying completely. In this case, either it switches on perfectly and keeps running after loading the gui or it doesn't. It always runs during boot, regardless of whether it works after loading the gui. Could I be missing a power management feature or setting somewhere?

I doubt it. Most Laptop or Desktop fan are always on regardless. The optional ones installed that are controlled by hardware or software will sometimes slow them down but not usaully off. When it shuts down next time check with a voltmeter to see if it's getting any juice, if it is you know it's the fan.