Thinkpad T520 (or other thinkpads) pulsing fan question

[tc35]

I’m considering buying a Thinkpad T520 and the only thing that is holding me back is the fan pulsing noise that a few users have reported (which I’m assuming is true for all T520s, not just an isolated few cases). In order to avoid the pulsing, is there a way to set the fan so that it spins constantly (different speed based on the temperature range)? Thank you for your help!

[hman]

I haven't heard any fan pulsing yet, but I've just gotten mine, and haven't pushed it yet. I'll reply again if I encounter this.

[AJN]

I have noted this behaviour, and it is very annoying when it occurs. Fan hits to full blow for 30-40 secs, turns off again for a while and then back on again. Fortunately it doesn't happen too often. Type of the machine is T520 4240-4CG and it has i5-2410 CPU and optimus graphics..

[TTY]

Hello AJN,
are you using Lenovo's preinstalled Windows 7 image?

[AJN]

Hello. Not actually, this is "fresh" W7U 64-bit installation

[TTY]

AJN,

could it be that you forgot to install the Intel Chipset Software before installing other drivers?

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-73684

Here is Intel's readme for that software, it has more information about system requirements and install procedure than Lenovo offers:

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/20019/eng/readme.txt

[AJN]

Thank you for the tip, if recall correctly I installed that also but let's install it again to be sure. I'll comment if that pulsing still occurs..

[TTY]

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to install the Chipset Software after other drivers have been installed. I did it once with a Dell desktop, and a few days later the computer crashed. I suspect the hard disk was severely damaged.

[wkearney99]

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to install the Chipset Software after other drivers have been installed. I did it once with a Dell desktop, and a few days later the computer crashed. I suspect the hard disk was severely damaged.

It'd be highly unlikely for a driver issue to 'damage' a drive, let alone 'severely'. Now, it's possible a bad SATA driver could lead to data corruption, but that's not the same thing as actual damage to the mechanism.

It's generally a good rule of thumb to always install the chipset drivers as early as possible in the installation process. And to reboot right when it asks you. Don't push it and try installing a whole bunch of drivers all together; ignoring the reboot requests. Best to let each of them do what's needed rather than risk overlapping nonsense screwing things up. The time spent waiting for reboots will ALWAYS be less than the time and frustration you'd spend trying to debug it later. Now, ask me how I know this.... repeatedly... heh.

[Dude]

After 3 weeks of use I am seeing the thing on my T520 as well. Out of the blue the fan starts to pulse. The 520 does not feel hot anywhere on the bottom of the machine.

[simplify]

AJN,

could it be that you forgot to install the Intel Chipset Software before installing other drivers?
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-73684

How would a person know to install such things? Do Thinkpads have something analogous to Windows Update that would clue you in?

I ask because I'm very close to buying a t520, my first Thinkpad/Lenovo, and if they require obscure fixes and updates to work properly, that, along with the risk of CPU whine hell, may be what it takes to push me over to a MacbookPro even it's $1000 more computer than I really need.

[TTY]

Do Thinkpads have something analogous to Windows Update that would clue you in?

Yes, it's called ThinkVantage System Update. It can check for updates and can also install them.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/cont ... tem-Update

Here's the link to the download:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... PDATE.html

[TTY]

How would a person know to install such things?

Lenovo offers instructions on how to clean install Windows 7:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-77353

[simplify]

Yes, it's called ThinkVantage System Update. It can check for updates and can also install them.

Great, thank you.

[kevmitch]

For those thinking of getting the T520, and so haven't actually heard this, the fan is very quiet. You have to be in a SILENT room in order to hear what people are talking about here. Yes, it turns on and off, and when it turns on it spins fast at first and then slows down. This behaviour has been carefully engineered to balance power conservation with thermal management. If you really want to muck around with the fan behaviour contrary to design intentions, http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/How_to_control_fan_speed. Note that there is a section for windows http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/How_to_co ... or_Windows.

[renagref]

kevmitch, you are describing a different problem. pulsing happens even at low fan RPMs.