Solution Found: T60p with Win 7 Overheats ONLY when connected to Docking Station

[ethink]

I have two T60p Thinkpads, both with ATI V5200 on-board graphics.

T60p #1 is running Win XP, BIOS is 2.27. This T60p works fine when connected to a Dell 24" monitor at resolution of 1920x1200. External monitor connection is via an Advanced Dock (2503). In this configuration TPFC 0.62 reports CPU 66C / GPU 79C. The Fan is 3+ years old.

T60p #2 is running Win 7 SP 1 , BIOS is 2.25, Processor is Core 2 Duo T7600 @ 2.33GHz. The HW has been upgraded to 4GB, SSD and a new fan with new thermal paste. This machine runs relatively cool according TPFC 0.62: CPU 40C / GPU 63C when NOT connected to an external monitor.

When the T60p with Win 7 in placed the Advanced Dock and connected to the Dell Monitor, the CPU temperatures rise very quickly even when just idling. Eventually, the temperature will reach 100C and the machine will shut down. This T60p with Win 7 is using the WIN 7 driver for the ATI V5200, Driver Version 8.561.0.0, dated 12/1/2008. This was installed as part of Windows 7.

Could the Win 7 provided driver be the source of this problem?

Is there a better driver to use? If yes which one?

Any other ideas?

[brchan]

You shouldn't be using a driver designed for a newer OS on an older one. Use an XP driver and see if it resolves the issue. Additionally, is there any change in the fan speed when docked vs not docked? What about connecting the monitor to the laptop via vga on the laptop itself?

[dr_st]

When the T60p with Win 7 in placed the Advanced Dock and connected to the Dell Monitor, the CPU temperatures rise very quickly even when just idling.

What about when it's placed in the dock, but not connected to the external monitor? Yes, it's a strange configuration, but just for the sake of analysis might be good to try it.

[ethink]

When the T60p with Win 7 in placed the Advanced Dock and connected to the Dell Monitor, the CPU temperatures rise very quickly even when just idling.

What about when it's placed in the dock, but not connected to the external monitor? Yes, it's a strange configuration, but just for the sake of analysis might be good to try it.

I have tested and experienced this problem with both the Advanced Dock (2503) and Basic Dock (2504). Same problem of overheating.

I have not tested without the dock because I connect to the monitor via a DVI connection which is only available from the dock unit.

[dr_st]

You still didn't answer my question...

[ethink]

When the T60p with Win 7 in placed the Advanced Dock and connected to the Dell Monitor, the CPU temperatures rise very quickly even when just idling.

What about when it's placed in the dock, but not connected to the external monitor? Yes, it's a strange configuration, but just for the sake of analysis might be good to try it.

I will test this configuration and report my results back here

[ethink]

When the T60p with Win 7 in placed the Advanced Dock and connected to the Dell Monitor, the CPU temperatures rise very quickly even when just idling.

What about when it's placed in the dock, but not connected to the external monitor? Yes, it's a strange configuration, but just for the sake of analysis might be good to try it.

I did test this configuration and the temperatures did get very hot > 90C even while running TPFC 0.62

[ethink]

I have two T60p Thinkpads, both with ATI V5200 on-board graphics.

T60p #1 is running Win XP, BIOS is 2.27. This T60p works fine when connected to a Dell 24" monitor at resolution of 1920x1200. External monitor connection is via an Advanced Dock (2503). In this configuration TPFC 0.62 reports CPU 66C / GPU 79C. The Fan is 3+ years old.

T60p #2 is running Win 7 SP 1 , BIOS is 2.25, Processor is Core 2 Duo T7600 @ 2.33GHz. The HW has been upgraded to 4GB, SSD and a new fan with new thermal paste. This machine runs relatively cool according TPFC 0.62: CPU 40C / GPU 63C when NOT connected to an external monitor.

When the T60p with Win 7 in placed the Advanced Dock and connected to the Dell Monitor, the CPU temperatures rise very quickly even when just idling. Eventually, the temperature will reach 100C and the machine will shut down. This T60p with Win 7 is using the WIN 7 driver for the ATI V5200, Driver Version 8.561.0.0, dated 12/1/2008. This was installed as part of Windows 7.

Could the Win 7 provided driver be the source of this problem?

Is there a better driver to use? If yes which one?

Any other ideas?

It appears that the root cause of the problem was the older BIOS, v2.25. I had not updated the BIOS because this T60p had an upgraded Intel Mini-PCI Network Card that required a "whitelisted" BIOS. I used a newer "whitelisted" BIOS found http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=114717. This BIOS upgrade seems to have solved this problem.

My T60p has been running in the Basic Dock (2504) for the past hour, connected to a Dell 24" monitor running 1920 x1200. TPFC 0.62 reports CPU 61C and GPU 72C.

Here is a summary of HW configuration:

Summary:
Operating System
Windows 7 Professional 32-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T7600 @ 2.33GHz 68 °C
Merom 65nm Technology
RAM
3.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 (5-5-5-15)
Motherboard
LENOVO 68 °C
Graphics
DELL U2412M (1920x1200@59Hz)
256MB ATI MOBILITY FireGL V5200 (Lenovo)
Storage
238GB INTEL SSDSA2CW256G3 ATA Device (SSD)
298GB Toshiba External USB HDD USB Device (USB)
Optical Drives
MATSHITA DVD-RAM UJ-862 ATA Device
Audio
SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio

I recently acquired a new ATI V5700 PCI-e card for use in the Advanced Docking station. I will report back on my experiences with this configuration.

[ethink]

Comments from T60 owners confirm that these machines do run a bit warmer in the dock because the lid is closed.

I created a new power management option in the Lenovo Power Manager called "Docked" with a setting that reduced performance from "maximum" to "adaptive". This new power manager setting SIGNIFICANTLY reduces the CPU and GPU temperatures.

TPFC is now showing CPU of 53C and GPU of 73C.