Failed memory slot -> BIOS update -> now fan speed iss

[FragrantHead]

My T30 recently succumbed to the infamous memory slot problem. I plan to change the memory to a single 1GB module and have upgraded the BIOS from 2.03b / embedded controller 1.03 to BIOS 2.10 / embedded controller 1.07 in preparation (still waiting on the memory). The problem I have now is fan noise. It is annoyingly high most of the time. The earlier BIOS was much better with my machine. I downloaded the Thinkpad T43 Fan Control program 0.18, which reports the fan running at 4,500RPM or thereabouts. While it switches off occasionally, when it's on, which is most of the time, it never drops below 4,300RPM. The CPU would appear unnecessarily cool at 36C. Setting the fan speed manually with the program does not work well. While level 0 turns it off, level 1 and upwards are all around 4,500RPM. It seems the Fan Control program is perhaps having the same problem as the BIOS, it's unable to set the fan to medium or low settings.

Long story short, I figure I will downgrade the BIOS again and my questions are:

(1) What's the minimum BIOS version that allows 1GB RAM in a single slot?

(2) What's the maximum BIOS / embedded controller version that doesn't have these fan speed problems?

(3) Any caveats when downgrading?

I'll probably end up experimenting, but I fret every time when flashing the BIOS. Any insight will be much appreciated.

[ronbo613]

4500rpm is a very fast spinning fan. Does the CPU fan in the T30 really spin that fast? I don't know for sure, I'm just asking .

[FragrantHead]

4500rpm is a very fast spinning fan. Does the CPU fan in the T30 really spin that fast? I don't know for sure, I'm just asking .

The fan control program is experimental, 3rd party software. Who knows how accurate it is in this case. However the noise is certainly much louder than I'm used to. I would previously only get this level of noise when playing a particular game that taxed the GPU really hard. Now it's almost constant, even when the machine is idle.

[ronbo613]

I was just wondering. I can't even hear the fan on my T30, pretty sure it has the latest BIOS.
Sorry I don't have the answers to your problems. I did have the memory slot problem, but the T30 I got used had a couple weeks left on the warranty when I read through this forum and found out about the problem. After two tries, my system board was replaced and the memory slots are now working.
The fan speed issue is puzzling.

[FragrantHead]

Update: I downleveled the embedded controller from 1.07 through 1.06 to 1.05. No difference. I then flashed the BIOS right back to 2.03b. When the fan comes on it now runs mostly at 3700RPM. Better. CPU temp down to 38C when it's running and between 45 and 50 before the fan kicks in. Well, it's worked like that for 3 1/2 years, so it can't be so bad (unless that's what killed the memory slot). What's the point of the later BIOSs increased speed? Also, contrary to IBM/Lenovo literature, the embedded controller 1.05 seemed to work fine with that old firmware, at least as far as the fan is concerned. I eventually downleveled it back to 1.03 to be safe though. Incidentally the highest speed that can be forced with the fan control program and the older BIOS is around 5,800RPM. That never happens automatically though.

[danage]

i notice the same behavior. they increased the rpm of the fan. i have no idea why, since it doesnt seem to turn on less often or shorter.
i dont wanna downgrade though since they wrote the battery charging routines were improved.

[FragrantHead]

Solved! Got the memory. 1GB Crucial for T42. Works in my T30 with the existing BIOS 2.03b. Jumped the gun there.