Fan always on after BIOS and embedded controller update

[Carla]

Hi, I've just updated the BIOS (from 2.02b to 2.10) and the Embedded Controller Program (from 1.02 to 1.07) of my ThinkPad T30. As a result, the behaviour of the CPU fan has dramatically changed.

Before the update, the fan was silent for very long periods and sometimes (not frequently) the notebook got very hot. Now the fan is silent just for a minute or two after the morning boot. When CPU temperature arrives at 50 °C the fan starts (at 4450 RPM) and never stops. In fact it stops only when temperature remains at 40 °C for many minutes but, after a little while, it restarts at full speed. As a result, my ThinkPad is always cool, but the noise is very annoying.

Please note that I've observed this behaviour on AC Power or battery, whithout opening any program. CPU usage is minimal and thermal sensors work fine. BIOS is set to default values.

The only workaround I've found is to install TPFanControl by troubadix: it lets me raise the temperature threshold which triggers the fan to 60/65 °C.

But this is just a workaround. I suppose the fan behaviour dictated by BIOS (with quasi infinite hysteresis) is not normal... Or is it? Is it possible to limit fan usage at BIOS level?

Carla

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
Maybe you should remove the keyboard, and have a look at the fan?
It could be full of dust bunnies, and cause a quick heating up.
Replacing the (probably very old) thermal paste between CPU and fan might also help!

In a T30, normally the fan comes on at boot time for maybe 1/2 minute and then stays off until it gets warm(er).

[Carla]

Hi,
the fan was replaced two months ago and ArcticSilver5 was applied. Please notice that it's not a heating issue: as a matter of fact, while I'm writing this post, the notebook is very cool (42 °C), but the fan is working at 4200RPM...

[RealBlackStuff]

What is the exact type/model (e.g. 2366-86U) of your laptop?
Has the CPU and/or motherboard been upgraded?
For motherboard p/n, open the wifi door on the bottom, see the label on the white plastic flap there (under the wifi card).
What CPU is in there (speed in GHz, see Control Panel/System, and what is the fan P/N or FRU?
Maybe they are "mismatched"?
How much RAM?

[Carla]

The model is 2366-R7G (P4M 2.0 GHz).
Both CPU and motherboard are original.
RAM is 512 MB.

[RealBlackStuff]

Please verify that your fan is 46P3132 (fan 2).
If that's correct, perhaps you can play with the TPFanControl settings?
There are no BIOS settings to control the fan speed, so that program is more or less your best bet.
Or install NHC (Notebook Hardware Control, which gives you less control...).

[Carla]

Fan is 46P3132.
If I understand correctly, with the latest BIOS/EC release Lenovo chose to play safe: notebook always cool, even if this means more work for the fan and more noise for the user

[Carla]

What do you think about "reflashing" the machine (reinstall the latest BIOS and EC)? Is it possible? I fear the system will let me install only newer versions...

As for TPFanControl, I have some questions:

1) The version I have on my computer is 0.62. It works fine except for a minor issue: there'is just a minimal difference among fan levels (1, 3, 7, ecc): fan speed oscillates between 4200 and 4800 RPM. Do I have to install an older version that works better with T30s to get more control on fan speed?

2) Regarding TPFanControl.ini settings, what are the suggested temperature tresholds for a ThinkPad T30 with a P4M 2.0 GHz? My current settings are as follow:

Code: Select all

Level=50 0
Level=60 1
Level=65 3
Level=70 7
Level=75 128 // switch fan control to BIOS mode

[RealBlackStuff]

I've never tried it, but others have, and reflashed or even down-graded their BIOS.
To use TPFancontrol, see this info: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/How_to_control_fan_speed
I've had many T30 machines, all of them always had the latest BIOS/ECP (2.10/1.07) without any fan-speed problems.
I'm afraid I can't help you any further with this, someone else maybe???

[Carla]

Thanks for your support. BIOS fan behavoir seems more normal now. In any case I will use TPFancontrol from the startup.
Carla