TPFanControl - I just don't get it

[jschner]

Installed TPFanControl on my R40 and I’m afraid I just don’t get it.

Is there some sort of documentation for this thing? Couldn’t find anything but some cryptic FAQs on troubadix’s website that assume one already understands the software and no contact info.

I have no idea what the “Temperatures” window is trying to tell me or what the “Log” means.

Only two lines are in the “Temperatures” window when it’s set to “active.”

1 cpu 48°C (0x78)
2 aps 51°C (0x79)

In “Smart” mode, every 2 seconds I can hear the fan cycle on and then 2 seconds later it cycles off.

[9/29/2008 11:02:53 AM] Fan: 0x01 / Switch: 51°C (48; 51; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0;)
[9/29/2008 11:02:53 AM] Smart: Set fan control to 0x00, Result: OK
[9/29/2008 11:02:57 AM] Fan: 0x01 / Switch: 51°C (48; 51; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0;)
[9/29/2008 11:02:57 AM] Smart: Set fan control to 0x00, Result: OK
[9/29/2008 11:03:03 AM] Fan: 0x01 / Switch: 51°C (48; 51; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0;)
[9/29/2008 11:03:03 AM] Smart: Set fan control to 0x00, Result: OK
[9/29/2008 11:03:08 AM] Fan: 0x01 / Switch: 51°C (48; 51; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0;)
[9/29/2008 11:03:08 AM] Smart: Set fan control to 0x00, Result: OK

When I change TPFanControl from Smart mode to BIOS mode I get messages like this over and over again (while the fan continues to cycle on and off) –

[9/29/2008 11:08:24 AM] BIOS: Set fan control to 0x80, Result: FAILED!!
[9/29/2008 11:08:26 AM] Fan: 0x00 / Switch: 52°C (51; 52; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0;)
[9/29/2008 11:08:26 AM] BIOS: Set fan control to 0x80, Result: FAILED!!
[9/29/2008 11:08:29 AM] Fan: 0x00 / Switch: 52°C (51; 52; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0; 0;)
[9/29/2008 11:08:29 AM] BIOS: Set fan control to 0x80, Result: FAILED!!

So rather than risk damaging my system I uninstalled TPFanControl and the fan stopped cycling on and off. I’m thinking I better leave it uninstalled until I can figure out how to configure it properly because trying to return it to BIOS mode within TPFanControl doesn’t seem to be working.

I like the general idea of TPFanControl as a tool for monitoring temperatures and optimizing fan speed but am going to have to get some insight on what’s going on with this thing if I’m going to use it.

Any idea how I can get up to speed on this??

[mgo]

Installed TPFanControl on my R40 and I’m afraid I just don’t get it.
Any idea how I can get up to speed on this??

I have run TPFanControl for a couple of years now on five different ThinkPad machines.

Yes, for me, there was a rather steep "learning curve" before I started to understand how to make the program work for my needs.

I also fooled around with other fan control and temperature monitoring programs and those were a little "mysterious" for me, too.

1: Which version of fancontrol are you using?

2: instead of installing the program to run as a "service" just run it manually so you have better control of it.

3: That way, if things seem to be going wrong, you can just right click the taskbar icon and select "end program" rather than go thru a whole install procedure.

The version I am running (downloaded jan 2008) requires installation of a secondary program and unchecking all the boxes during its install in order to run fan control. I believe that program is some sort of interface that allows one to control fan control more easily.

I have not installed version 5 yet, since my earlier version works fine for me.

Hope my rambling helps a little...

[jschner]

1: Which version of fancontrol are you using?

2: instead of installing the program to run as a "service" just run it manually so you have better control of it.

Hi mgo

1. I downloaded the latest - ver 0.50

2. Ending the program or selecting BIOS Mode is what generates the errors mentioned in my original post. That's why I had to uninstall it.

Extracted was a TFFanControl folder with one sub-folder "Optional" and two sub-sub folders "acpiecnl" and "service"

TFFanControl included -

TPTCuninst.ico
readme.txt (this must be the "documentation" that I don't get)
killtpfc.bat
TPFanControl.exe (this is what I ran)
TPFanControl.ini
unins000.exe
unins000.dat

acpiecnl included -

acpiecLogOff.reg
acpiecLonOn.reg
acpiecnl.sys
instecnl.bat
acpiecnl.txt (says it is to stop logging errors from "acpiec" in WinXP32)

service included -

tpfciconl.exe
tpfcicon_noballons.exe
uninstall_service (shortcut)
install_service (shortcut)
start_service (shortcut)
stop_service (shortcut)
settings (shortcut)
service.txt (says it is to start service in WinXP)

[mgo]

1: Which version of fancontrol are you using?

2: instead of installing the program to run as a "service" just run it manually so you have better control of it.

Hi mgo

1. I downloaded the latest - ver 0.50)

Sorry, I cannot be of much help with this version of tpfancontrol, as I do not use this version.

One suggestion is to read the threads on this topic (search for "tunnel" for the start of thread that goes back to 2005 or so. You might even want to download one of the earlier versions of the program which do not have installers, they just run manually by clicking the .exe. It might be easier than fooling with the added items in later versions.

[Radioguy]

I downloaded the newest .51 (a beta?) as well as .50, but have not installed either. I too, was gunshy about doing an install, since there might have been changes that might not be undone by an uninstall.

I used to use, and often needed, these on older models, and NHC on other laptops, but I'm unsure I need this on my T61. In fact, I'm afraid to use it, since the new cooling design seems to require the fan to be on near continuously, and I don't want to burn out the CPU.

Do you think I need it?

[mgo]

I downloaded the newest .51 (a beta?) as well as .50, but have not installed either. I too, was gunshy about doing an install, since there might have been changes that might not be undone by an uninstall.

I used to use, and often needed, these on older models, and NHC on other laptops, but I'm unsure I need this on my T61. In fact, I'm afraid to use it, since the new cooling design seems to require the fan to be on near continuously, and I don't want to burn out the CPU.

Do you think I need it?

My reason for running TPFancontrol at all was the very annoying high pitch whine the fan made when running. It really got on my nerves. The program made the fan sound much easier to live with.

If your T61 doesn't annoy you, then, no need for the program.

If you are worried about how TPFancontrol would impact your machine, I suggest you image your machine, or run Windows built in full backup first, before installing fan control.

Since the program author has been around for a while, I would guess that any uninstall would not leave behind any unpleasant residual things that would harm your system.

[ajkula66]

On R40, you should run version 0.25 or 0.33. The newer ones (0.50) were designed with T61 being the default machine, and I've had troubles with them on both A31p and T43.

On older machines (T30/A3x/R40) I strongly suggest running the fan manually until you get a hold of what you're up against. Having the latest BIOS and EC also helps, and in many cases you'll be better of with them controlling the fan.

Hope this helps.

[jschner]

On R40, you should run version 0.25 or 0.33. The newer ones (0.50) were designed with T61 being the default machine, and I've had troubles with them on both A31p and T43.

On older machines (T30/A3x/R40) I strongly suggest running the fan manually until you get a hold of what you're up against. Having the latest BIOS and EC also helps, and in many cases you'll be better of with them controlling the fan.

Hope this helps.

I started this "project" because my wife thought she had a hard drive problem on her T60. I was suspicious and downloaded TPFanControl. With the ability to turn the fan on and off it became immediately obvious that she had a fan problem and not a hard drive problem.

I installed TPFanControl on my R40 (notice - she's got the new T60 and I have the old R40) to figure out how it worked. But honestly, now that we've isolated her problem I don't see any reason to leave it installed on either ThinkPad. She was having no problem before the fan noise began. I'll just replace her fan and we should be good for a while.

I would really like to understand TPFanControl a bit better but maybe that'll have to come in another life time.

[mgo]

I I'll just replace her fan and we should be good for a while.

I would really like to understand TPFanControl a bit better but maybe that'll have to come in another life time.

Glad to hear that you have gotten a better handle on your problems, and enjoy your ThinkPads. They are nice to use.

I agree about the fan control applet. It's been a hard one to "catch on to" for me also, but then some programs will always be a mystery to me, no matter how I struggle to learn how to use them. (:{

[Masi_K]

It is very hard to use. GUI is useless. All modifications is made by editing .ini file. Why not put these temp / fan settings to the gui?

[tomh009]

Yes, that would definitely be nicer ... but then we're not paying troubadix anything for this software!

[GatorHawk]

Sorry if this is cross-posting:

Anyone know where in the .ini file to modify it so that:

when it starts, it defaults to manual mode with fan level 1.

Thanks in advance..