adding a case fan-please help

[spitfiremkv]

I removed a case fan from an older ibm computer and can't find a place to plug it in my motherboard. the mobo has only three pin connectors and the fan has two wires.
regardless,I tried to plug the fan in and it wouldn't power up with the system.
any ideas? should there be a 2 pin connector somewhere on the motherboard? there's a connector labeled "system fan" but it has three pins as well. the fan is 12 volts, I don't know what current motherboards run at.
does it need to be activated from the bios?
I noticed that when I tried to plug my cpu fan in another similar plug on the motherboard it wouldn't start.

bottom line-do I have to buy a new fan?

[Skuzzy]

Your two wire fan lacks the tachometer lead (center wire) which is used on all current motherboards.  This is why there are 3 wires.
I could make it work, but I am not comfortable with your level of expertise in hacking up hardware to tell you how to do it.

[AKS\/\/ulfe]

You should make sure the connectors are getting power.

Lick them.
-SW
Maybe I should add a disclaimer: Licking electrical components is reserved for those with a very low capacity for mental prowess.

[Roscoroo]

what you need is the 4 wire add on pigtailed connector that comes with alot of the side case fans . it plugs right into the hd/cdrom plug . I perfur to use this over taking power from the mainboard to run my fans .
 it looks like this


you can also make your own if your electrically inclined , ive made several of them by using the old cpu fan plugs from k-6/286-486 pc's ,they have the same plug.

[lazs2]

fan won't start?  Bush brothers in power?   coincidence?  you decide....

lazs

[Skuzzy]

I'll take "Alien Gas" for 10 Monty.

[lazs2]

skuzzy... might I refer you to the thread titled "Bush brothers-non political" ?

lazs

[spitfiremkv]

ros, I bought a fan like that one, but it xan also be connected to the motherboard.
now-should I have it blow in or out?
the fan in the power supply blows out.
I have an emachines etower 1742, if anybody is familiar with that system.

[mora]

Just hotwire +12V(yellow) and GND(black) from any of the several wiring harnesses, just like in the above picture. Just protect your connections properly, a self vulcanizing(sp?) tape is good. I have a similar fan on the lower backside wall blowing in, that's how I get the best air circulation.

You can use a connector like this for the job:

[SOB]

If it's mounted in the front of the case, have it blow in; if mounted in the back, have it blow out.

[Roscoroo]

Originally posted by spitfiremkv
ros, I bought a fan like that one, but it xan also be connected to the motherboard.
now-should I have it blow in or out?
the fan in the power supply blows out.
I have an emachines etower 1742, if anybody is familiar with that system.

were are you mounting it ???

if on the front  or side of case i have them blow in

if on the back or top of case i have them blow out

you want good airflow thru the case with out disrupting the cpu's air flow (adding to it is ok )

[mora]

Originally posted by SOB
If it's mounted in the front of the case, have it blow in; if mounted in the back, have it blow out.

I dont see how this makes any difference? there's always the power units fan(s) blowing out. There's no point in having another one blowing out. If the fan is on the back wall, then it circulates air better around the MB and the vid card.

[straffo]

Originally posted by SOB
If it's mounted in the front of the case, have it blow in; if mounted in the back, have it blow out.

Why I'm not shocked when I read a sentence from you meaning (in resumé) : suck in blow out ?

[Martlet]

Just spend the 10 bucks on a new fan, tightwad.

[SOB]

Originally posted by straffo
Why I'm not shocked when I read a sentence from you meaning (in resumé) : suck in blow out ?

'Cause you've been dreaming about me again?