Ubuntu, fan always on suddenly

[Mack]

Hi, I've run into a problem. I have Ubuntu linux installed on my IBM X24 since some week ago. Today, the fan suddenly is always on. Doesn´t help to reboot, or let the machine rest for an hour. It starts up, and the fan too.

What has happened? What is controlling the fan in linux? I have read something about the embedded controller. Is it possible that linux have made modifications to the embedded controller? I feel very worried, and TIRED about these kind of problems.

Fan always on suddenly... can´t believe it...

[khamsin]

Dear Mack,

No it is not possible that linux suddenly modifies the embedded controller. Are you running a dual boot? Windows and Linux? if so did you recently modify any settings in windows? Or does the machine display the same noisy fan under windows. I'm thinking hardwre problem. Temperature sensor reporting extremely high temperatures etc.

My fan only starts up when the processor temperature hits a high point. usually about 72 degrees centigrade. I have no control over the fan what soever. I would prefer it if I did and unless the fan is extremely noisy (mine is not) would prefer it to be on permantly unless running off battery power. So tell me how did you do this I'd love to be able to see a constant temp lower than 55 degress centigrade


regards Khamsin

[egibbs]

If you go into Synaptics and get gDesklets there are several desklets that you can install to monitor the system temperatures.

Try that and see if they are reporting abnormally high temps.

It's possible that you have inadvertently started some process that is using lots of CPU or GPU and driving the temperature up.

Ed Gibbs

[Mack]

Thanks for your replies.

No, I don't dualboot. Linux has been the only system on the laptop since some week ago. When I was using Win XP, the cpu ran at 733 MHz, and only went up to 1133 MHz when needed. I could monitor it with Mobilemeter. I only recall the fan going on when doing cpu intensive stuff for a while. And it quickly turns off when I quit doing cpu intensive stuff. Just like it should be. I remember the fan turns on a little when reaching 55 C. And it runs at full when reaching something like 70 C. But when doing normal stuff the cpu never goes above 55 C, so I never heard the fan.

In Ubuntu, the first week, I never noticed the fan either. However, I just checked some info in /proc about the cpu, and I found something like cpuinfo_cur_ something... meaning, in it I saw the info about the current cpu-speed I guess. And it was set at 1133. I don´t know if this could be the problem. (or some process using the cpu) If it is running at 1133 MHz, I can understand the fan wants to go on a little. But I need some kind of good monitoring program in Linux. I will see what that gDesklets is.

[egibbs]

Be aware that a lot of the sensors in gDesklets are broken - something about LMSensors problems. But if you try a bunch you can find ones that work.

Tip - delete each broken sensor from the desktop right away, or you can wind up with a bunch of broken desklets scattered around and they are surprisingly hard to find - they tend to hide in the wallpaper.

Ed Gibbs

[khamsin]

Also try out the following program

powernowd - this seems to suggest that it only works for amd processors but this is not so. It will work with any kernel that suppports sysfs and the cpufreq stuff all you need to verify is if the speedstep-centrino is loaded and cpufreq-userspace. If so then powernowd will work.

I'm using it and my laptop never goes over 800 Mhz unless doing cpu intensive stuff.

This brought down my average temp from around 65 C to 55 C

Regards Khamsin

[stgreek]

Thanks for your replies.

No, I don't dualboot. Linux has been the only system on the laptop since some week ago. When I was using Win XP, the cpu ran at 733 MHz, and only went up to 1133 MHz when needed. I could monitor it with Mobilemeter. I only recall the fan going on when doing cpu intensive stuff for a while. And it quickly turns off when I quit doing cpu intensive stuff. Just like it should be. I remember the fan turns on a little when reaching 55 C. And it runs at full when reaching something like 70 C. But when doing normal stuff the cpu never goes above 55 C, so I never heard the fan.

In Ubuntu, the first week, I never noticed the fan either. However, I just checked some info in /proc about the cpu, and I found something like cpuinfo_cur_ something... meaning, in it I saw the info about the current cpu-speed I guess. And it was set at 1133. I don´t know if this could be the problem. (or some process using the cpu) If it is running at 1133 MHz, I can understand the fan wants to go on a little. But I need some kind of good monitoring program in Linux. I will see what that gDesklets is.

I would suggest you do this: get cpuspeedy and gtk-cpuspeedy. This allows you to change frequency on-the-fly (like the speedswitchXP). Set the frequency to 600 Mhz (there are other ways to do it, but I do not know how proficient you are with Linux). If your fan stop after a while, it means that your laptop was running constantly at a higher speed. A good choice is then to go in the kernel and on speedstep options change the mode from "performance" to "adaptive" or "userspace", the first will adaptively change your frequency upon CPU usage while the second will always start at the minimum (600Mhz or so) and allow you to set it to higher freqs manually.

[wingman]

Hello
I have an x24 running ubuntu also. Best thing to do is run synaptic and grab gkrellm and the associated plugins for it. Install it, then run it. F1 will let you set it up. On it, you can configure it to watch temps for you. FYI, mine runs at 50*C right now. Let me know if you got questions; you have a very linux friendly laptop!!!!

wingman