600X Fan Noise

Older ThinkPads.. from the 600, the 7xx, the iSeries, 300, 500, the Transnote and, of course, the 701
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virge
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600X Fan Noise

#1 Post by virge » Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:42 am

I just picked up my first 600X and it seems like the fan is significantly noisier than on my 600E. It comes on and stays on even when surfing this message board. I can hear it blowing even with the TV on. Is this normal?

This is a 2645-9FU (650Mhz w/ 544MB memory). I can't imagine that the fan is going bad cause this machine is pristine. It was described by the seller as "like new" and he wasn't kidding. Even the corners still have their rubber coating. FYI it was $50 shipped and came with one stick of 256MB and a working battery. :D
Current Thinkpads: 600E, 600X, 701C, A31 (Flexview), R51 (Flexview), R60, T42P (Flexview), TR50E, T60 (Flexview), X61s (Ultralight), Z61m (Ti) Non-Thinkpad: Toshiba 100ct

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#2 Post by rkawakami » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:06 am

OOooo.. what a deal! The system is about 7 years old so it's possible that the fan has lost all of its lubrication or has worn bearings. I also had a 9FU but can't recall how often the fan spun or how noisy it is/was.

Since it's that old, you may also want to consider checking the CMOS battery. If the original is still in place, it would be about time to change it. Prior to removing the battery, make sure that you can get into the BIOS (Easy Setup) and see if it is accessible without a password. Now would be the time to discover this (hidden) fact; not after you take the backup battery out and can't get in touch with the previous owner.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.

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#3 Post by BillD » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:23 am

I just sold my 9fu. To check it out I've been using it again for the past week.

No, the fan wasn't any noisier then any of the other 600's I used..

Pop it open and CAREFULLY try to add some lube to the fan..

Or look for another on Ebay...
1 T23 1.13 Mhz.SXGA+..512 RAM..Built in Wireless
1 T23 1.13 Mhz..256 RAM...
1 600e that now a 600x(500Mhz) with 256 RAM
1 600x(500 Mhz) with 327 Ram
1 600x upgraded to 600Mhz with 256 RAM

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#4 Post by gator » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:11 pm

That is an AMAZING deal. I strongly suggest checking the CMOS battery as Ray says ... if the fan is too noisy you can get a better one from ebay.
Now: T60 2613-EKU | T23 2647-9NU | 600X 2645-9FU | HP 100LX
Past: X31 2673-Y13 | T41 2374-3HU | T22 2647-AEU


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virge
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#5 Post by virge » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:19 pm

Thanks for the helpful tips. One of the first things I did was replace the CMOS battery. No passwords. :)

I've never thought about oiling the fan. I didn't think that was an option. I'll have to try that next chance I get. Hopefully I'll have a chance to work on it this soon. If I can quiet this down, my 600E will be on sale!
Current Thinkpads: 600E, 600X, 701C, A31 (Flexview), R51 (Flexview), R60, T42P (Flexview), TR50E, T60 (Flexview), X61s (Ultralight), Z61m (Ti) Non-Thinkpad: Toshiba 100ct

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#6 Post by rkawakami » Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:23 am

Don't know if it is possible or recommended to oil the fan. Some designs are sealed, others shouldn't be oiled and some might cope well with a tiny amount of oil. I don't have a 600 series fan to look at to say for sure. If you are planning to do this, it may only be a temporary fix or it could really foul up the fan. Your call.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.

BillD
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#7 Post by BillD » Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:14 am

I mentioned CAREFULLY trying to oil it, but as RK said thats probably just a stop gap fix, if you can even get the oil to the bearing..But it's worth a try until the fan can be replaced..

If this 600x is going to be your main machine changing the fan is your best bet..
1 T23 1.13 Mhz.SXGA+..512 RAM..Built in Wireless
1 T23 1.13 Mhz..256 RAM...
1 600e that now a 600x(500Mhz) with 256 RAM
1 600x(500 Mhz) with 327 Ram
1 600x upgraded to 600Mhz with 256 RAM

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#8 Post by u.mac » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:35 am

The -9FU is a great machine :D

Is the fan really noisy or do you mean, the fan is running... and running... and running? ...like the bug from VW... -> than I know you're running XP 8)

The ACPI-Interface from 600x doesn't match to XP. All 600x+XP-Lover are looking for help... :cry:
*** coffee - death of all dreams ***

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Re: 600X Fan Noise

#9 Post by Wingnut » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:31 pm

virge wrote:I just picked up my first 600X and it seems like the fan is significantly noisier than on my 600E. It comes on and stays on even when surfing this message board. I can hear it blowing even with the TV on. Is this normal?

This is a 2645-9FU (650Mhz w/ 544MB memory). I can't imagine that the fan is going bad cause this machine is pristine. It was described by the seller as "like new" and he wasn't kidding. Even the corners still have their rubber coating. FYI it was $50 shipped and came with one stick of 256MB and a working battery. :D
Fantastic deal. the memory stick alone is worth $30. Most 650 processor units I see sell for over $100 as they are pretty rare. Good find.
TP 600 2645 51U PII upgraded to 400mhz and 416mb RAM - First backup - Gone
TP 600E 2645 4BU PII 400mhz and 548mb RAM - Second Backup - Gone
TP 600X 2645 5EU PIII 500mhz and 589mb RAM - New Back-up
TP T-23 2647 ??? PIII 1.13G and 1GB of RAM + Wifi - Just got it :)

u.mac
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Re: 600X Fan Noise

#10 Post by u.mac » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:58 am

Wingnut wrote:Fantastic deal. the memory stick alone is worth $30. Most 650 processor units I see sell for over $100 as they are pretty rare. Good find.
100$? Look at eb*y... there's a chinese man, who sells 850/700 for less money. Used 256 mem-sticks are sold for 40EUR in germany... :shock:
*** coffee - death of all dreams ***

Wingnut
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Re: 600X Fan Noise

#11 Post by Wingnut » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:19 pm

u.mac wrote:
Wingnut wrote:Fantastic deal. the memory stick alone is worth $30. Most 650 processor units I see sell for over $100 as they are pretty rare. Good find.
100$? Look at eb*y... there's a chinese man, who sells 850/700 for less money. Used 256 mem-sticks are sold for 40EUR in germany... :shock:
I should have been more clear, I was refering to the laptop, not the processor.....600X units with the speedstep motherboard (aka 650mhz) are rare and sell for over $100.
TP 600 2645 51U PII upgraded to 400mhz and 416mb RAM - First backup - Gone
TP 600E 2645 4BU PII 400mhz and 548mb RAM - Second Backup - Gone
TP 600X 2645 5EU PIII 500mhz and 589mb RAM - New Back-up
TP T-23 2647 ??? PIII 1.13G and 1GB of RAM + Wifi - Just got it :)

u.mac
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Re: 600X Fan Noise

#12 Post by u.mac » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:42 pm

Wingnut wrote: I should have been more clear, I was refering to the laptop, not the processor.....600X units with the speedstep motherboard (aka 650mhz) are rare and sell for over $100.
ahhh - complete units... 100% agree.
*** coffee - death of all dreams ***

pxa270
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Re: 600X Fan Noise

#13 Post by pxa270 » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:07 pm

virge wrote: This is a 2645-9FU (650Mhz w/ 544MB memory). I can't imagine that the fan is going bad cause this machine is pristine. It was described by the seller as "like new" and he wasn't kidding. Even the corners still have their rubber coating. FYI it was $50 shipped and came with one stick of 256MB and a working battery. :D
Good lord. You should put that thing behind a glass display and not touch it without gloves. Such a classic in such a condition for such a price. :shock:
I really envy you. Unfortunately I haven't had much luck with ebayers in the past, who were a bit liberal with their "like new" descriptions.

virge
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#14 Post by virge » Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:57 pm

pxa, I know what you mean! It seems almost a shame to put any wear on this machine. I have it set up as a guest computer in our spare bedroom, so it won't get too beat up. Its more of a shame to see it not being used at all.

u.mac. It does run at what seems like a high speed most of the time... and you guessed it, I have XP on there. I didn't know that this was an issue. Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to look into this some more.
Current Thinkpads: 600E, 600X, 701C, A31 (Flexview), R51 (Flexview), R60, T42P (Flexview), TR50E, T60 (Flexview), X61s (Ultralight), Z61m (Ti) Non-Thinkpad: Toshiba 100ct

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