Thinkpad Fan Noise Problem: Light at the End of the Tunnel

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Wiz · #571 Post by **Wiz** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:51 pm

Thank you troubadix for making the fancontrol even better and make it run as a service. Very good job. I been using the fancontol software for a long time since the fan on my T43p is way to noisy without this software.

Just one minor strange thing. If i rightclick the icon in systray and choose to end the program the fan speed return to BIOS mode and the fancontrol utility no longer control the fan, but the service is still running. Not sure if this is a bug or not, but i think it would make more sense if the service stopped as well when choosing to end the program. It's just a suggestion and not a complain. You done a great job with the tpfancontol utility.

troubadix · #572 Post by **troubadix** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:59 pm

Thanks a lot !:D

But sorry to say, v0.21 is the last version done by me. If anybody is interested in the code so far:

http://staff-www.uni-marburg.de/~schmit ... roject.zip (200kB)

I'm off for NHC

'cause untervolting is a must to get your thinkpad cool and quiet. So why run two applications, if one can manage all:

http://staff-www.uni-marburg.de/~schmitzr/nhc_tpfc.zip (20kB)

Ciao, troubadix

mbaturo · #573 Post by **mbaturo** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:39 pm

I've installed the fancontrol service and it worked like a charm.

great work!

though after my second restart something went wrong: the fancontrol started giving out errors that it can't read or set anything because of possible conflicts with other software, and cpu section of the device manager showed an error that the device cannot be initiated (CPU - how come? so how did my thinkpad startup in first place?

). The system coudln't enter standby to because of ACPI driver error. Oh and the FN hotkeys disappeared...

Wiz · #574 Post by **Wiz** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:29 pm

Is there any error message in the event log? What exactly is the error messages saying?

Did you run the "instecnl.bat" and import the file "acpiecLogOff.reg" into registry as well? This is not required, but if you don't do this steps you see lot of errors in the event log so it's recommended to do this.

Is the "ImagePath" under "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ACPIEC" in registry pointing to an existing file?

If you did all these steps and everything seems correct you could tro to import the file "acpiecLogOn.reg" into registry and reboot to see if that solve your problem. The file "acpiecnl.sys" that is included with this version of the fancontrol is the one that come with the german version of Windows and is a different size then the one that come with English Windows. Not sure if there is any other relevant difference beween the german and english version of this file that could cause any problems.
I used a hex editor on my english windows to turn the logging off so the event log isn't filled with warnings and never tried the one included with this version of the fancontrol software.

Also if i uncompress the file "acpiecnl.sys" that is included, rightclick the file and choose properties i'm told that the file came from another computer and might be blocked. Also have a Unblock button there. Not sure if it has to be unblocked to be used when it comes from another computer. Never seen this before.

mbaturo · #575 Post by **mbaturo** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:48 pm

I reinstalled the system so can't see the logs.
I did apply the acpieclogoff.reg and but not the instecnl.bat
the other thing I noticed was that the system would startup in higher temperatures - 55C, while previously it used to be really cool, and the startup time was considerably longer (the logging onto windows part).
I suspect the ACPI driver got corrupted.
could the program have altered the embedded controler too?

Wiz · #576 Post by **Wiz** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:19 pm

If you imported the file "acpieclogoff.reg", but did not run the file "instecnl.bat" (or manually copy the file) then your registry points to a none existing file. Then it would make sense that you had some problems. The program does not alter the embedded controler.

The file "instecnl.bat" copy the files acpiecnl.sys to "c:\windows\system32\drivers" and importing the files "acpieclogoff.reg" will make a change so your system points to the file "c:\windows\system32\drivers\acpiecnl.sys". In your case you made your system point to that file, but the file didn't exist. If you had run the "instecnl.bat" it would probably have solved your problem.

sveintore · #577 Post by **sveintore** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:03 am

troubadix wrote:Thanks a lot !:D

I'm off for NHC 'cause untervolting is a must to get your thinkpad cool and quiet. So why run two applications, if one can manage all:

http://staff-www.uni-marburg.de/~schmitzr/nhc_tpfc.zip (20kB)

Ciao, troubadix

Genious

But I'd like some recommended voltages for my 2,33GHz Core 2 Duo.

thibouille27 · #578 Post by **thibouille27** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:01 am

Doesn't work on my X60

"DLL compiling error"

I change model name to mine which is 170685G.

troubadix · #579 Post by **troubadix** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:00 am

thibouille27 wrote:Doesn't work on my X60

sorry, based on Spawn123456's script it's not working on X60.

troubadix · #580 Post by **troubadix** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 4:22 pm

@Wiz:

Wiz wrote:If i rightclick the icon in systray and choose to end the program the fan speed return to BIOS mode and the fancontrol utility no longer control the fan, but the service is still running.

If you want to start or stop program & service, download again and copy tpfcstart & tpfcstop to your desktop or folder shown on taskbar, for the program should not stop the controlling service.

Ciao, troubadix

Wiz · #581 Post by **Wiz** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 4:53 pm

troubadix wrote:If you want to start or stop program & service, download again and copy tpfcstart & tpfcstop to your desktop or folder shown on taskbar, for the program should not stop the controlling service.

Thanks, but if i want to start/stop the service i could just use the "net stop/start" command or use the GUI so that's not a problem. I just found it a bit strange that when i closed the application using the "End program" it's no longer in the systray and the application is no longer controlling the fan, but the service is still running. I just think it would make more sense that the fancontrol controlled the fan in any case as long as the service is running. Not a big deal......i just disabled the End Program option so it can only be stopped by stopping the service and it's not like a need to start/stop the application manually either since it works without any problems.

Anyway thanks for your help and the enhanced version of the fancontrol utility.

malakay · #582 Post by **malakay** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:02 pm

This is an awesome tool. My fan is broke and makes a horrible noise, thanks to this tool I can finally turn it off from time to time!

I tested the tool on my Thinkpad T43p with 2G RAM, WinXPSP2, and it works fine.

One think I noticed: After some time, the tool simply vanishes. It disappears from my desktop, even the tray icon is gone. But I don't get an error message. But when I restart it, everything works fine.

I tried it together with NHC v2.0 Pre-Release-04 and your tool isn't able to read the status from the embedded controller, but it's still able to control the fan.

troubadix · #583 Post by **troubadix** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:27 pm

@malakay:

thanks for feedback!

malakay wrote:After some time, the tool simply vanishes. It disappears from my desktop, even the tray icon is gone.

Program will finish after MaxReadErrors from embedded controller (fancontrol.ini) if not MinimizeOnClose=1 AND MinimizeToSysTray=1

malakay wrote:I tried it together with NHC v2.0 Pre-Release-04 and your tool isn't able to read the status from the embedded controller, but it's still able to control the fan.

There might be some conflict. Download again and use tpfc4nhc instead of tpfc service as you're running NHC.

troubadix

namezero · #584 Post by **namezero** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:11 am

Question about your nhc_tpfc.zip file:

This is a sample config file for using NHC (Notebook Hardware Controller) with Thinkpad, right?

Does NHC works with old thinkpads like T2x (t21, T22, T23, all Pentium III Mobile 900Mhz to 1.2GHz) ???

Or you've only used it on Thinkpad with Core CPUs? Thanks.

troubadix · #585 Post by **troubadix** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 12:35 pm

@namezero:

Yes, it is a sample config file for using NHC (Notebook Hardware Controller) with Thinkpads. I am running it commonly on my R51 (Dothan CPU 725 1,6 GHZ)

NHC will work with the older TPs T2x, but

1. there is no option of undervolting the PIII CPU and so one reason less for running NHC,

2. for the method of fan controlling applied in the sample ACPI script for NHC is the same as used in TPFancontrol, it will work for T23 and A30 (tested with TPFancontrol), T22-20 may be (not tested). I used for TPFancontrol these settings on T23:
IconLevels=65 85 95
Level=55 0
Level=65 1
Level=85 7
Level=95 64

troubadix

namezero · #586 Post by **namezero** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:31 pm

Thank you troubadix.

Then I guess I won't bother with NHC until I've $$$ for a new Thinkpad. Yeah I was thinking about undervolt, but found out through specs that most likely NHC doesn't support undervolt on PentiumIII.

nightyyyy · #587 Post by **nightyyyy** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:14 pm

Dear Troubadix,

getting "DLL compiling error" on a X40 model 2371PG4 with NHC2pre4.

IBM.Error.txt says:

Error building 'c:\Programme\Notebook Hardware Control\acpi\IBM.cs' into 'c:\Programme\Notebook Hardware Control\acpi\IBM.dll'

ErrorNumber: CS0117
ErrorText: 'ACPI.FIELD' does not contain a definition for 'ReadByOffset'
Line: 229
Column: 32
IsWarning: False

ErrorNumber: CS0117
ErrorText: 'ACPI.FIELD' does not contain a definition for 'ReadByOffset'
Line: 1157
Column: 45
IsWarning: False

Greetings from Nuremburg, btw.

Nighty

nightyyyy · #588 Post by **nightyyyy** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:41 pm

Dear troubadix,

With a setting of

45
50
55
60
65
70

i have the cpu for example at 46°C idle, now if it works i get to 54°C whereas level1 for the fan is initiated. But then if the cpu is idle again and falls to 46°C the fan is stil in level1

Is this supossed to work this way?

Yours,

Nighty

troubadix · #589 Post by **troubadix** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:10 pm

@nightyyyy:

nightyyyy wrote: But then if the cpu is idle again and falls to 46°C the fan is stil in level1. Is this supossed to work this way?

Yes it is. IN TPFancontrol fan speed changes when when crossing the line. So if you set Level=45 0, fan is switched off when passing temp=45 coming from higher levels. In your example fan will start at 50°C coming from lower levels and stop at 45°C coming down.

If you still get these compiling errors in tpfc4nhc this method should not be suitable for TP X40.

troubadix

troubadix · #590 Post by **troubadix** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:20 pm

@namezero:

namezero wrote:Then I guess I won't bother with NHC until I've $$$ for a new Thinkpad

Good luck for $$$

, but the newer is not even the better. Minding complainings here about T43 & T60 I dig out my old A20p: cool, bright and calm with a happy user.

troubadix

nightyyyy · #591 Post by **nightyyyy** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:02 am

troubadix wrote:@nightyyyy:

nightyyyy wrote: But then if the cpu is idle again and falls to 46°C the fan is stil in level1. Is this supossed to work this way?
Yes it is. IN TPFancontrol fan speed changes when when crossing the line. So if you set Level=45 0, fan is switched off when passing temp=45 coming from higher levels. In your example fan will start at 50°C coming from lower levels and stop at 45°C coming down.

If you still get these compiling errors in tpfc4nhc this method should not be suitable for TP X40.

troubadix

I have arranged with that and set values accordingly.
With the service based fan control i am perfectly happy, especially with the ability to disable logging (which kept my hardrive not spinning down)

Thanks for that tool!

Nighty

troubadix · #592 Post by **troubadix** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:44 am

troubadix

Spawn123456 · #593 Post by **Spawn123456** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:54 am

nightyyyy wrote:Dear Troubadix,

getting "DLL compiling error" on a X40 model 2371PG4 with NHC2pre4.

IBM.Error.txt says:

Error building 'c:\Programme\Notebook Hardware Control\acpi\IBM.cs' into 'c:\Programme\Notebook Hardware Control\acpi\IBM.dll'

ErrorNumber: CS0117
ErrorText: 'ACPI.FIELD' does not contain a definition for 'ReadByOffset'
Line: 229
Column: 32
IsWarning: False

ErrorNumber: CS0117
ErrorText: 'ACPI.FIELD' does not contain a definition for 'ReadByOffset'
Line: 1157
Column: 45
IsWarning: False
Greetings from Nuremburg, btw.

Nighty

Hi Nighty,

it seems you havn't installed the Core2Duo Patch (see Troubadix Readme for Details)

Carl

think4sun · #594 Post by **think4sun** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:36 pm

Just upgrade my T60p to vista business. The fan noise becomes worse. And the bad news is the fan control software for thinkpad and the NHC are not working under vista.
Is there any plan for a vista version of fan control?

abu_sme · #595 Post by **abu_sme** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:35 pm

Just had a little bit of a scare. I have TP fan control always on, it loads up when I boot. Well, today I was running off batteries and my temperatures were very low, so the fans were set to 0 (it set it), well when I closed the lid and put it into standy it appears to have crashed. When I plugged it back in of course, everything went up to maximum settings and the thing started to cook. The GPU got to about 90 C and the CPU got to 78 C.

I am going to be leaving it in BIOS settings until I can resolve the problem of TP fan control crashing on me all the time.

Wiz · #596 Post by **Wiz** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:08 am

think4sun wrote:Just upgrade my T60p to vista business. The fan noise becomes worse. And the bad news is the fan control software for thinkpad and the NHC are not working under vista.
Is there any plan for a vista version of fan control?

I currently use WinXP, but will probably end up with Vista some day as well so just curious. Are you using the service version? If yes does it fail to install or start? If it install/start ok then are you able to monitor the temps, but not control the fan? Is the none-service version working ok?

Wiz · #597 Post by **Wiz** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:21 am

abu_sme wrote:I am going to be leaving it in BIOS settings until I can resolve the problem of TP fan control crashing on me all the time.

I never turn off the fan so even when the computer is cool i keep the fan running at the lowest speed. I did that since my Thinkpad is pretty hot so turning off the fan would just make it warm faster and the fan would start anyway. I find it more annoying when the fan start and stop all the time so i'll just let it run on the lowest speed all the time except then it get really warm i'll increase the speed of the fan. Also just in case the application should crash like it happened to you the fan won't stay off (even if it never crashed on me yet). So if the application sometimes crash on your computer you could edit the fancontol.ini so the fan never stop completely.

thibouille27 · #598 Post by **thibouille27** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:42 am

Is the source code of TpFan more or less capable of being ported to OSX ?

#599 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:26 am

I just now am trying Thinkpad T43 Fan Control V0.18 on my T42. I could not get it to run under Vista until I did the following:

To get Thinkpad fan control to run under Vista, right-click on the program file fancontrol.exe and choose to Run as administrator.

wahoo · #600 Post by **wahoo** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:46 am

My new t61 seems to be running hot...hotter than I expected and seemingly hotter than my old t40. I don't know temps because I have don't have any way to measure.

Which fancontrol version would be best for me to use for my t61?

A link would be great!

Thinkpad Fan Noise Problem: Light at the End of the Tunnel

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