Thinkpad Fan Noise Problem: Light at the End of the Tunnel

[Milos]

Hi all,
I have a permanently-on fan on my ThinkPad A31 (P4m 1.8GHz), so I tried FanControl in passive mode. Representative temperatures (labels not correct):

CPU 55°C (0x78)
APS 33°C (0x79)
PCM 57°C (0x7a)
BAT 60°C (0x7c)
X7D 28°C (0x7d)
BAT 28°C (0x7e)
BUS 0°C (0xc0)
PCI 0°C (0xc1)
PWR 0°C (0xc2)
XC3 0°C (0xc3)

The only believable label here is "CPU". BTW, this is on low CPU speed (1.2GHz), medium display brightness, etc.. relatively low power settings. When running in higher power mode, CPU and 7C ("BAT") go to about 62C.

7C (BAT) is not battery because the battery is on the front and is cold (30C). It's not the hard drive (Hitachi 5K40) - also cold. I have no idea what it could be because after hibernation the CPU can stay at ~45C, but sensor 7C still goes above 55 and kicks on the fan (so it's clearly not the CPU). After the fan kicks on, it never stops, because the temp of 7C never drops.

The only hot part of the laptop is the area near the CPU and RAM. I wonder if 7C is the RAM area temperature, and if it gets hotter than the CPU. There isn't much of a hot air stream leaving the grille near the CPU (the fan sounds on though). I have 768MB RAM (512MB more than standard) -- I wonder if this is keeping the laptop permanently hot, and if these temperatures are normal or not. I only have web pages and such open (no intensive apps) and the CPU usage is at ~35-40%.

Any thoughts? Is 55-60C normal on "low power" mode.. I can send a pic of where it's hot, but basically it's the CPU and RAM areas.

Thanks. Great idea for a utility.

Milos

[french]

Hello !
I tested the software but it don't work correctly with my TP.
I have a T40p / 2373G1G
I have only to 2 modes : BIOS & smart mode, the manual mode is not available.

each time I switch to smart mode, the laptop beeps after 20 seconds the software crashs
I have these messages in the log :

Code: Select all

[28/12/2005 10:15:34] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:34] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:35] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:35] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:36] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:36] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:37] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:37] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:38] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:38] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:39] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:39] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:40] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:40] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:41] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:41] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:42] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 33 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:42] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:43] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 33 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:43] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:45] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:45] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:46] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 33 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:46] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)

[mattpalmer1086]

Hi,

thanks for making the fan control utility. I was slowly being driven mad by such an intrusive pulsing fan noise on an otherwise excellent machine - a T43.

I find that at all fan speed settings there is still a noticeable pulse, but it's less than before. Lower speeds seem to pulse more than the higher ones, so maybe it's some kind of hardware problem with the T43 fan or controller too. Is there anyway of determining whether there is other software trying to control the fan as well? Maybe this is causing the pulse.

It's still a great utility however, as at least the fan shuts off sometimes now, rather than continuously pulsing away.


cheers,

Matt

[aki]

same here. my t40p craches after few secs when i try to switch over to smart mode. my cpu is about 35c and the fan goes on 100%

Hello !
I tested the software but it don't work correctly with my TP.
I have a T40p / 2373G1G
I have only to 2 modes : BIOS & smart mode, the manual mode is not available.

each time I switch to smart mode, the laptop beeps after 20 seconds the software crashs
I have these messages in the log :

Code: Select all

[28/12/2005 10:15:34] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:34] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:35] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:35] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:36] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:36] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:37] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:37] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:38] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:38] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:39] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:39] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:40] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:40] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:41] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:41] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:42] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 33 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:42] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:43] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 33 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:43] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:44] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:45] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 32 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:45] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)
[28/12/2005 10:15:46] Fan: 0x80 / Highest: 50°C (47 45 33 50 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 0 0 0)
[28/12/2005 10:15:46] Smart: Set fan control to 0x03, Result: CMD IGNORED (PASSIVE MODE)

[vennstrom]

Download link not working, check the site the utility is no longer there.

[TimWang]

Could someone please post their temp. thresholds for triggering the fan? I just wanted to see what other people have set it at.

Thanks.

[goethe]

Could someone please post their temp. thresholds for triggering the fan? I just wanted to see what other people have set it at.

Thanks.

Level=46 0
Level=48 2
Level=50 4
Level=55 6
Level=70 128

ThinkPad T43 2668-92G
Best,
Goethe

[mg]

Could someone please post their temp. thresholds for triggering the fan?

T43p, when not using Maximum Performance profile:

Code: Select all

Level=48 0
Level=56 3
Level=58 7
Level=70 128

[rgrosz]

Could someone please post their temp. thresholds for triggering the fan? I just wanted to see what other people have set it at.

Thanks.

Level=48 0
Level=51 3
Level=55 4
Level=60 7
Level=65 128

[Navck]

Hey, how do we turn off CPU monitoring in NHC... That error message is annoying.
"Conflict with other software..."

[Paul Unger]

TimWang,

Just to represent a different end of the spectrum, here are my settings. I--unlike most others--found I wanted my fan on MORE, rather than less: Solomon Islands are too hot for a person, let alone a computer IMHO And since I'm not working in an absolutely quiet padded cell/office, I don't hear the fan unless it's at level 3. In fact, I often hear my kids more than my computer Here are my settings:

Code: Select all

Level=35 0
Level=40 1
Level=42 2
Level=43 3
Level=45 4
Level=50 5
Level=55 6
Level=60 7
Level=70 128

Navck,

I've turned off "Enable Temperature Readings" on the "Temp" tab and "Monitor Hard Disk SMART and Temperature" on the "Hard Disk" tab in NHC 1.9 Beta 03. Not sure if they both need to be off, but my 'error' incidence has dropped significantly. Hope that helps,

Paul

2373-3UU T42 1.7GHz, 1MB RAM, 40GB HD, SXGA+

[mpcook]

I have tried your program on my X31 and it appears to work.
I am able to change the fan speed using the manual mode. Approximate rpms:
1,2~2800-3000rpm
3,4,5~3500-3700
6~3900-4200

My temp readings were approximately as below so you can see only some of the locations work.
CPU 61°C (0x78)
PCM 67°C (0x7a)
GPU 46°C (0x7b)
BAT 38°C (0x7c)
BAT 32°C (0x7e)
BUS 0°C (0xc0)
PCI 0°C (0xc1)
PWR 0°C (0xc2)
XC3 0°C (0xc3)

I have not tried using different levels in the .ini file. (I'm not sure I need to). I was curious to see it work...and it does!

[sparta.rising]

[edit] should have read the readme [/edit]

French, read the readme.

[Xian]

FanControl beeps sometimes even when I have FanBeep=0 0 set in fancontrol.ini. Not all the time, just at random. Sometimes it will go days silently, then beep when it changes from speed 3 to off. I will try to track down the instances where it beeps more accurately, but does anyone else have the same problem?

Does anyone actually turn the beeps on?

When it does beep, it beeps at some sort of default and is really loud and annoying, and makes me worried it will do it in an inappropriate place (business meeting). Is there any way the default volume/frequency could be changed to something not as loud, or even off by default. I have to wonder how many people actually have their laptop beep when the fan state changes. The fan roaring should be a pretty good indicator the fan state changed, I can even feel it in the keyboard when the fan revs up to speed 3.


Besides the occasional beep though, excellent program. I didn't notice the fan until I started using my T43 in quiet places, this program is a life-saver.

Cheers for your work on this much needed program.

[Xian]

After posting about the random beeps, I noticed I can download the source code for FanControl and just modified the default values of for the fan in the constructor of FanControl in fancontrol.cpp, ie:

<snip>
FanBeepFreq(0),
FanBeepDura(0),
<snip>

Recompiled and trying out the new version, I will see if this works in stopping the random beeping.

[Paul Unger]

Xian,

I'd be interested in a fix I have "random beeps" too, even with FanBeep=0 0 in fancontrol.ini. Mine gives three *loud* evenly spaced beeps, maybe 30ms(?) in duration each. I share your concern about beeping in meetings

Paul

[aki]

hohoho

i'm wondering if it's good to let the cpu works at 50c or more? my stat:

CPU 37°C (0x78)
APS 42°C (0x79)
PCM 30°C (0x7a)
GPU 46°C (0x7b)
BUS 0°C (0xc0)
PCI 0°C (0xc1)
PWR 0°C (0xc2)
XC3 0°C (0xc3)


i noticed that the Highest temp is the GPU and the fan will goes from that info, not the cpu temp. Do i have to disable GPu and APS it then?

*edit* a bug? i have smart mode and if the temp reach high the fan will start working, so far so good. BUT if you switch the bios mode and switch back to smart mode, the fan will goes off. why? the temp is still same as before

[frogla]

Xian,

I'd be interested in a fix I have "random beeps" too, even with FanBeep=0 0 in fancontrol.ini. Mine gives three *loud* evenly spaced beeps, maybe 30ms(?) in duration each. I share your concern about beeping in meetings

Paul

Several times a day for quite a few weeks now I have experienced the same three loud evenly spaced beeps too, some times related to "COULD NOT SET FAN STATE!!!! ", but most of the time not.
My setting "FanBeep= 60 10 " is barely audible compaired to these annoying three beeps.

T43p 2668-F8G ( 2.0GHz , 2 GB RAM , ATI V3200 128MB , 60GB 7200 RPM , 15" UXGA )

[jinx]

hi all,

i have a more general query. are there any computer illiterates out there who have tried using fan control? and if not, what do the experts suggest? how difficult is it to handle it and can a non-expert deal with the potential quirks?

any help - preferably phrased in lay language - would be much appreciated.

j.

[christopher_wolf]

The Thinkpad Fan Control Utility is quite easy to use on Windows; well, as compared to the mods you have to do as the user on a Thinkpad running Linux (most generally end up scripting them anyway, so it isn't much of a hassle there either). The instructions lay it out quite nicely; and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to post back here with them. Look at the README file and it should explain it without any problems.

Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums.

[ZaherM]

Hi all,

I've just tested the utility and it runs perfect
I have T40, here is my system summary, if it may help:

Code: Select all

OS Name:	Microsoft Windows XP Professional	
Version:	5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600	
System Manufacturer	IBM	
System Model	23731G2	
System Type	X86-based PC	
Processor	x86 Family 6 Model 9 Stepping 5 GenuineIntel ~1495 Mhz	
BIOS Version/Date	IBM 1RETDNWW (3.19 ), 13/10/2005	
Hardware Abstraction Layer	Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"	
Total Physical Memory	512.00 MB	

I followed the README, and it just runs great.

I've tried the samrt mode, first there was no running apps, afterwards I've ran Eclipse (Java IDE) & Firefox & Thunderbird and the temp of the cpu got higher then the fan speed automatically changed

[janickk]

I tried your thinkpad T43 fan speed contron on my T30 and it appears to be compatible (does not crash), but with a few issues:

1) the last 3 sensor temps are either not detected or non-existent in the T30, as "0" are reported for all.

2) the fan speed ranges are very limited for the T30
value 0 turns off the fan
values 1,2 set the fan speed to the default (bios) values of around 3800rpm
values 3,4,5 set the fan speed to around 4100 rpms
values 6,7 set the fan speed to arond 4500 rpms

Have you gotten any other feedback from T30 owners?
Any help patching the program to a wider range of fan speed would
be welcomed

Thank you for your efforts to control the very annoying fan noise that Thinkpads have.

Janick

[christopher_wolf]

Ah, Welcome to the Thinkpad Forums

Glad to hear it works on a T30; I don't think, however, that it can be patched to attain more RPM for the fan as this isn't supported by the EC. And the fan noise on a Thinkpad is pretty tame compared to most other systems; if you want to really annoy yourself and others with fan noise, get yourself a P4 ze5170. I couldn't that HP in the library because of that.

[hiyel]

Thank you so much Markus, great job... It works as advertised on my T43 2686NAU.
Here's my feedback:

1- I couldn't determined under what circumstances it happens but, the program terminated abnormally when I exit it from its taskbar icon (happened twice). I know that doesn't help you much but, if other users experienced that they can let us know.

2- I see that you have "individual CPU/GPU treshholds" on your ideas list. This would be great. Because I noticed that, in my systmem, CPU temperature is never the determinant unless I run prime95 or superpi. This sounds a little awkward to me. Maybe there is a problem with my system but infact the determinant temperature (i.e. the highest) is the PCI one when the system is idle. When I was playing around with the numbers to decide the tressholds I decided that I should watch the steady state temperatures of these three sensors while the fan is off. Also, I kinda think that, considering the rest is kinda useless since no matter how fast you run the fan, you won't be able to cool down the battery or the PWR etc. sensors. Please correct me here if I'm missing something. So I watched the tepmperatures and for three different tasks (1- CPU intensive prime95 superpi etc., 2- GPU intensive divx playing, 3- regular browsing or idle.) there were three determinants; obviously 1- CPU, 2-GPU, and not so obviously 3- PCI. I was surprised finding out that while regular browsing PCI temp is ~52 and CPU/GPU are ~47. So if you are planning to write the code for individual treshholds, it might be a good idea to add the PCI sensor in there too. Actually I don't see how the fan cools down the southbridge either, I mean the heat sink of the fan doesn't reach this chip, but my little experiment showed that it does cool it down, so...

Again, thanks very much for that awesome utility...

(2.0Ghz, 768MB, cpu is set to adaptive from ibm's own power managment settings)

[Kanu]

Hello!

I would really like to use fan control (hoping it will restore peace between me and my newly bought Thinkpad R50e) but I can't start Markus's program because I get this error message:

Error during initialization of WinIO Driver
(winio.sys missing in app folder or failed to load)

winio.sys is clearly in the folder where the application is and I am logged on as Administrator.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to install the WinIO driver?

Your help is really appreciated!

Thanks!

Carsten

[hiyel]

Kanu:
I get that same error only when the app is already running So double check the system tray, it should be there... Or look for "fancontrol.exe" in the task manager, terminate it and try again.

[Kanu]

Hi Hiyel,

Thanks for your help. I can now see fancontrol in the sys tray.

But the strange thing is that when I right-click and set it in smart mode, the program terminates after about one minute.

Any idea how to fix this issue?

Thanks!

[Kanu]

Hello everyone!

Ok, it's finally working perfectly for me, too, on my R50e! Kudos to Markus! This truly is a tool that gives us back some peace of mind.

Now, I am wondering if there is a way to change the RPM of the different fan speeds. At fan speed one, the fan runs at about 3200 RPM. Is it possible to adust that? If I could have the fan run at, say, 1800 RPM most of the time, I would probably hardly hear it, yet still get some cooling effect. Or am I missing something here? Sorry, I am not a techie but greatful for your advice.

The other question I have is what you would recommend in order for the CPU not to get hot so quickly. I saw people talking about RMClock Utility and ATITool. What settings would I have to use?

Thanks in advance for any further insights!

C.

[christopher_wolf]

There are a few things you can do to prevent the CPU from getting without having to mess with the hardware. The easiest is probably NHC

See; http://www.pbus-167.com/chc.htm

You can first throttle down the CPU speed; then, if you want to go lower, you can undervolt the CPU. Be sure to check it, though, with Prime95.

[Kanu]

Hi Christopher,

Thanks for your suggestions. I installed both NHC and Prime95. Unfortunately, changing the CPU speed or undervolting does not seem to be supported on my laptop. I can't make any of the adjustments with NHC.

Do you have any other suggestions? Is it possible to change the RPM of the fan speeds?

Thanks!

Carsten