t60 fan control

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bonehead · #1 Post by **bonehead** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:41 am

hi all:

topics similar to this one must have been discussed before. for this, i apologize.

i got my t60 today. this is my 3rd laptop. after toshiba and sony i think i found my dream laptop. everything is great except for one small thing. it seems like at least one of my fans runs constantly. even when im running on battery i can still hear the fan in the background. the machine runs extremely cool but it would be nice to lower the fan usage a little even if it means slightly higher operating temperature.

if aynone is having the same issue and knows a way of controlling the fan please let me know.

thanks in advance.

PS: i found a thread for fan control in t43 series. i am not sure if their solution is suitable for 60 series. plus i would much better prefer something official (released by ibm)

christopher_wolf · #2 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 12:47 am

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

As far as I know, there is only one fan on the T60; not two or more. It could be the HDD.

The FCU tool is excellent for this and it will work on a T60, mind you, albeit with changed defaults.

The fan on the T60 is, apparently from most reports, quieter than that on other Thinkpads with the "Fan always on" problem; it really isn't isolated to a particular model or series line....Some have it, most don't. If you have further issues with the noise, you can also tweak the HDD settings for far quieter operation.

HTH

bonehead · #3 Post by **bonehead** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:10 am

thanks for the advice.

i am sure that it's not the harddisk. the noise is due to the fan.

it's not really noisy. it's just that the fan is always on. it -should- at least go off for a while when the machine is idle. maybe it's because of the GPU. i got this from a sale anf it came with ati x1400.

the tool you mention (FCU) is that the one for t43's?

Ponch · #4 Post by **Ponch** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:07 am

It could be the HDD.

It sounds a bit like a fan.

sbellon · #5 Post by **sbellon** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:47 pm

I have received my Thinkpad T60 model 2007-63G today. It's my first Thinkpad having owned a HP Omnibook XT1000 before.

The fan in my T60 is always on as well. It's not noisy, but you can hear it. I wonder whether this is normal. On the XT1000 the fan was a lot noisier when in action, but when the notebook was idle, the fan was turned off completely.

Apart from this issue, I'm quite impressed with the T60 so far.

bonehead · #6 Post by **bonehead** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:48 pm

i am waiting for a replacement right now. it got worse for me. in the third day the fan noise increased and "changed". i searched the forum and it turned out that there were other people experiencing the same problem.

what bothers me the most is the relation between the power schemes and the fan speed. for me the most quiet mode was performance optimized! where i expected to hear the most. the fan was full throttle when i was in battery optimized mode doh!... it just does not make any sense to me. (i even updated bios hoping that the updated embedded controller would work better) i hope that the replacement unit wont have the same problem.

btw i am done testing the ACER 5672 i bought at the same time with my t60. darn it! this machine costs $1200 and the only difference is the CPU is slightly slower. no fan noise, very reliable (so far) with very small heat problems. i paid ~$2300 for my t60 and i am already in the process of getting it replaced

Note: Watch the language -Wolf

sbellon · #7 Post by **sbellon** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:40 pm

bonehead wrote:what bothers me the most is the relation between the power schemes and the fan speed. for me the most quiet mode was performance optimized! where i expected to hear the most. the fan was full throttle when i was in battery optimized mode doh!... it just does not make any sense to me. (i even updated bios hoping that the updated embedded controller would work better) i hope that the replacement unit wont have the same problem.

It's exactly the same for me. When setting the battery schema to "performance optimized" then it's a lot quieter than when setting to some battery optimization. But when running on AC, the T60 is even quiter. And the high pitched noise (see another thread) is completely away when running on AC.

After all, the T60 seems very pleasant and usable on AC power, but it looks like it has some weaknesses on battery.

I'm really wondering whether this is a defective unit or whether all units are like that. BTW, mine is a 2007-63G with 2 GB RAM.

NJ_IT · #8 Post by **NJ_IT** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:34 pm

Mine(200764U) has the same FAN noise(louder than T43) in Battery operation mode .
But I noticed this noise depended on selection of 'Optimize fan control to' in Power Scheme.
Noisy case, it shows ' Balance all parameters' in "Optimize fan control to :" setting.
After it is changed to 'Maximize performance' mode, FAN noise is gone(very quiet) in all case(not fully tested yet)
Those are same behavior even if AC operation mode.
So you can make your own 'quiet battery operation mode' by controling "Optimize fan control to :" setting change to 'Maximize performance'.
I think it helps for your FAN noise of T60.
Will anyone try it ? And please feedback!

sugo · #9 Post by **sugo** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:45 pm

Assuming the thinkpad fan control utility works well on T60, will that solve the "loud fan with battery optimized mode" issue? It's not fixing the root cause, but at least it hides the problem.

sbellon · #10 Post by **sbellon** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:00 am

It fixes the problem for Windows perhaps. But remember, not everyone uses Windows.

ronlai · #11 Post by **ronlai** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:31 am

I got the same power manager anomaly on my T60. Besides, I've tried the fpcontrol program and it seems to be working. However, the temperature numbers reported by fpcontrol are really strange.
CPU: 42°C
APS: 33°C
PCM: 33°C
GPU: 67°C
BAT: 50°C
BAT: 28°C
BUS: 32°C
PCI: 38°C
PWR: 39°C

The GPU and the first BAT nubmers are abnormally high since my T60 was idleing when I did the expriment. Has anybody seen the same thing?

lindsche · #12 Post by **lindsche** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:19 am

yes ronlai - i own a ut063ge (the 2ghz, x1400 german version) - and it's exactly the same phenomenon like you have.

it's possible inside the config-file of tpfancontrol to deactivate the inclusion of the gpu - and also after a couple of hours everything runs smooth - what means the gpu isn't heating over 73°C.
also the fan is the most time while surfing and office-work turned off.

perhaps it's a problem between tpfancontrol and the sensor, so the program gets the wrong temperatures.

but i also hope it won't be a guarantee-case after some months - so a clear solution would be nice... are there any other programs to measure the temperature of the gpu correctly?

sbellon · #13 Post by **sbellon** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:48 pm

Setting "maximum performance" in the BIOS alone didn't help here. But I started the ThinkVantage Energy Manager and created a user profile with every set to the maximum values, even for battery usage, and the fan now is quiet.

For GNU/Linux I installed ibm-acpi which lets you enable/disable the fan. You can read out the exact rpm value of the fan, but at present you can only enable/disable it altogether and not set the speed directly.

bonehead · #14 Post by **bonehead** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:51 pm

its good to see that im not the only one with the fan issue.

for me using the machine at maximum performance to get silent operation is not an option. i bought the 14inch t60 with 9cell batteries to get high battery life in the first place. PLUS, most of these laptops are brand new and they are "supposed" to function properly.

on top of that, why should i bother myself with looking for control software and other similar tools to fix a brand new machine?

anyways, if the replacement unit i am waiting for comes with the same funny fan control i am done with IBM and thinkpads.

bonehead · #15 Post by **bonehead** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:00 pm

BTW, do you guys think IBM is aware of this issue? They must be getting phone calls from T60 users by now. I wonder if the machine was designed to run like this. it sure does not make any sense to me. maybe this is a design mistake. god [censored] it! the weight, performance and built quality of T60 are so fitting to my needs, I don't know what I would get instead.

Ponch · #16 Post by **Ponch** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:30 pm

You don't have to turn everythink to maximum performance.
Just unter Fan Control. That keeps the T60 much quiter.

kulivontot · #17 Post by **kulivontot** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:53 pm

I tried out this FCU program, and it seems to work well, with the exception of the GPU being unusually high while idling (60 degrees C). Has anyone made a config file for use with the T60 to account for this high GPU temperature? With the default config, the fan is set to the maximum fan speed all the time in smart fan control mode.

christopher_wolf · #18 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 1:19 pm

kulivontot wrote:I tried out this FCU program, and it seems to work well, with the exception of the GPU being unusually high while idling (60 degrees C). Has anyone made a config file for use with the T60 to account for this high GPU temperature? With the default config, the fan is set to the maximum fan speed all the time in smart fan control mode.

I don't think so; at least, not with the package you get off of SourceForge.

We could try to make a sticky in the TP Utility Forum and then take a weighted average of the most effective config files for the FCU.

pekka · #19 Post by **pekka** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:17 am

I've been using thinkpad fan control for a week now. I hacked the config file so that the utility will ignore the GPU sensor. I've set the fan to start when CPU hits 52 C and in 47 C fan turns off. This way my T60 seems to be around 60-70 % of the time fan off in light use. GPU's temp is around 63-65 C and without fan control 60-61 C (which is really high too).

My CPU is T2400 and GPU is X1300. Powerplay is on and CPU is set to run dynamically. I bet if that Ati's (crap) chip would run cooler also the running time on battery would be much better...

I'm not sure if my config is the best possible though. In basic use (www, word, light compiling) the fan is basically always either off or in 1 position. It's a bit annoying that already in 1 position fan's speed is almost 3000 rpm and it's clearly audible. There should be position 0.5 when the fan should run something like 2000 rpm and you wouldn't here the fan at all and still there would be active cooling.

astro · #20 Post by **astro** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:25 am

pekka wrote:Location: Hellsinki

pekka wrote:In basic use (www, word, light compiling) the fan is basically always either off or in 1 position. It's a bit annoying that already in 1 position fan's speed is almost 3000 rpm and it's clearly audible.

Under these circumstances, I have to say that I would prefer to leave the fan running continuously than have it stopping and starting all the time. A constant noise is a lot easier for your brain to discard and ignore.

Talon88 · #21 Post by **Talon88** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:00 pm

:::

For me, noise is not a big problem.
But I want to know, which mode
(Balance or Maximize) will have longer
battary run time more.....!

:::

NJ_IT wrote:Mine(200764U) has the same FAN noise(louder than T43) in Battery operation mode .
But I noticed this noise depended on selection of 'Optimize fan control to' in Power Scheme.
Noisy case, it shows ' Balance all parameters' in "Optimize fan control to :" setting.
After it is changed to 'Maximize performance' mode, FAN noise is gone(very quiet) in all case(not fully tested yet)
Those are same behavior even if AC operation mode.
So you can make your own 'quiet battery operation mode' by controling "Optimize fan control to :" setting change to 'Maximize performance'.
I think it helps for your FAN noise of T60.
Will anyone try it ? And please feedback!

NJ_IT · #22 Post by **NJ_IT** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:04 pm

> Talon88

>For me, noise is not a big problem.
>But I want to know, which mode
>(Balance or Maximize) will have longer
>battary run time more.....!

I think it depends on FAN speed in both cases.
Currently "Maximize" seems to be lower speed because of lower noise.
But "Balance" maybe higher speed because louder than "maximize'
Lower speed FAN can extend Battery operation time a little bit??

Does anyone measure the FAN speed in both cases?

bonehead · #23 Post by **bonehead** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:47 pm

after 2 phone calls to lenovo my t60 adventure is over.

first time i called customer service for the replacement i was informed that the machine was in stock and it will take about 2 weeks to get me a new one.

after a week i called again and was told that the machine was back ordered. time estimate to get a new unit increased to 3 weeks. i had to cancel the replacement and return the machine... im leaving for europe in 2 weeks.

i will be working as a consultant for an electronics company and i HATE using a networked computer provided by the company. they go through your stuff and you don't even notice. considering most of my work is simply c/c++ codes and electronic documentation obtained through painful experience, for someone like me this is almost equivalent to being robbed. i will definitely need a reliable lappy and my sony is dead.

i ordered the original config on 03/29 and after about a month i ended up waiting for a refund. shipping estimates at lenovo's website are really amazing... around 3-6 WEEKS! what the hell?

im already looking at my other options but i do not like what i see

looks like i will go for the dv1680us from HP - blah... ships the same day you buy it!!! 2 of my friends at the office bought dv1000. after about two months their motherboards were replaced. very promising... maybe i can sell the HP when i get back and order another t60

)

good luck to you guys with your t60s.

#24 Post by **archer6** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:08 pm

bonehead wrote:i will definitely need a reliable lappy and my sony is dead.

Have you tried Euclid Computers or CostCentral, these are two online resellers with good prices and ThinkPads in Stock.

Let me know how you do.
Thanks
Archer

bonehead · #25 Post by **bonehead** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:36 pm

thank you archer. prices do look good.

but as far as i can see, they dont offer same day shipping. at least not for the models i'm interest in. cost central sells direct from lenovo and their shipping estimates are just as long... i could try euclid (7-10 days) but if something goes wrong again, then i may not have time to replace/return the unit. i really do not feel like taking this kind of risk. if i order something it will be around $2400 and it would hurt if i end up with a noisy unit...

i will consider these sellers when i get back. 2 months at best...

i cant stop thinking about things that can go wrong during that time. they have a flat panel tv design that has to be finished by the end of july. it will not be my head if we delay but i do not want to be responsible for any major f--kups. i guess i will be taking back-ups twice a day. thanks again.

#26 Post by **archer6** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 1:01 am

bonehead wrote:thank you archer. prices do look good.

but if something goes wrong again, then i may not have time to replace/return the unit. i really do not feel like taking this kind of risk. if i order something it will be around $2400 and it would hurt if i end up with a noisy unit...
i cant stop thinking about things that can go wrong during that time.

I agree with you because of your tight timeline. I looked at both these sites after suggesting them to you and found that indeed some of the models are not available immediately. Must be the demand, as I do know many users that are upgrading to the T60 series.
In addition, I think the same way, I would be concerned about the things that could go wrong during the waiting period after ordering. So, I think your solution to wait until you return is the best, plus hopefully by then, Lenovo will have caught up to demand and the availability will be there for you.

Good luck and enjoy your trip. I look forward to hearing from you when you return.
Archer

pekka · #27 Post by **pekka** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:18 am

Location: Hellsinki

Yeah well, the town is really Helsinki but especially Americans pronounce it with long L like 'Helllsinki'. Quite funny to live in 'hell' I think

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