Please!!! Need help with Pulsating Fan

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songman · #1 Post by **songman** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:27 am

My Newly aquired, fresh out of box T42 14"XGA, 512 Ram 1.7 centrino, 40Hd space computer seems to have pulsating fan problem.

I am not running any program, yet the fan is non stop running. And to top it off, it's pulsating.

I got this comp off ebay in sealed box. This comp suppose to have 3 year IBM warrenty.

What are my options? How can I fix this?

Thank you

#2 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:50 am

which thinkpad model..?

spirifer · #3 Post by **spirifer** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 11:38 am

You can "fix" the pulse but you can't stop the fan,
Try this version of Embedded Controller:
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... MIGR-50279

songman · #4 Post by **songman** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:18 pm

spirifer wrote:You can "fix" the pulse but you can't stop the fan,
Try this version of Embedded Controller:
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... MIGR-50279

Why can fan be fixed? I mean my fan runs when i'm just using MS Word. Isn't one advantage of Centrino the quietness of not having to use as much fan compare to bigger and hotter P4???

I called IBM and arranged to have it sent in for repair. Not only because of the fan problem, but my monitor had three water drop mark(tiny round white shopts). At this point, I am wondering why in the world would 1 day old IBM give me this much headache.

lophiomys · #5 Post by **lophiomys** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:27 pm

songman,
please let us know what IBM had repaired when your
Thinkpad is returned.

songman · #6 Post by **songman** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:32 pm

lophiomys wrote:songman,
please let us know what IBM had repaired when your
Thinkpad is returned.

I sure will.

Also forgive me if this question is stupid, but I read many posts on this forum in regards to this problem. Why didn't anyone send it in for repair ? it seems like most were trying to fix the problem with software.

lophiomys · #7 Post by **lophiomys** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:47 pm

songman,
I had in for repair (warranty with courrier service) twice!
My R51 came back untouched every time.
In the end I negotiated a solution with IBM (before ECP V3.03 was published)
and fixed the fan noise myself:
http://lophiomys.gmxhome.de/Thinkpad_R5 ... Noise.html

I wonder that this seems to reappear on the T42 series?
Which model number and build date (sticker on the under side, or on the box)
does your T42 have? (as Bill queried already).

Greg Gebhardt · #8 Post by **Greg Gebhardt** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 3:26 pm

songman wrote:
spirifer wrote:You can "fix" the pulse but you can't stop the fan,
Try this version of Embedded Controller:
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... MIGR-50279

Why can fan be fixed? I mean my fan runs when i'm just using MS Word. Isn't one advantage of Centrino the quietness of not having to use as much fan compare to bigger and hotter P4???

I called IBM and arranged to have it sent in for repair. Not only because of the fan problem, but my monitor had three water drop mark(tiny round white shopts). At this point, I am wondering why in the world would 1 day old IBM give me this much headache.

I got the T42p (2373kxu) and after a few minutes my fan always turns on. The sound is very low but I know it bothers some more than others. Mine does not pulsate but does run faster if using alow of processor power.

I don't see anything wrong with the fan running even if you are doing nothing. These are laptops and have no other way to get rid of the heat except with the fan. I would MUCH rather the fan run than my laptop get too hot to keep in my lap and believe me I have had some laptops that got so hot you could not stand it.

The pulsing may be able to get fixed, but the fan will always run.

Elhabash · #9 Post by **Elhabash** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 4:07 pm

I was working with a PowerBook last summer and always had to keep a book between my lap and the computer for insulation. Also the fan was much louder when running.

I don't hink IBM did such a bad job on the thermal design...

lophiomys · #10 Post by **lophiomys** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 4:24 pm

I want to put forward that older models with CPU's of comparable
heat production could cope with the fan only running when necessary.

Also noise emission will increase as fan bearings deteriorate faster.

A permanent running fan costs electricity 0.4 A (Long Fan M10) at 5V DC=
= 2 Watt. (the Short Fan by SEPA only has 0.18A)

My Sanyo 6 cell battery has a capacity of 43 Wh, according to the Thinkpad Config Tool.
While the fan is running my R51 draws 14W according Mobile Meter.
Assume the fan is only drawing 1W at low rpm average.

43Wh / 14W = 3h batt live (which is the real battery life)

43Wh / (14W-1W)= 3.3h bat live without fan at 1W constantly

running constantly at 1W, it would reduce batt live by 18 minutes.
running constantly at 0.5W, it would reduce batt live by 11 minutes.
running constantly at 0.25W, it would reduce batt live by 7 minutes.

Electric engineers correct me please.

One last thought:
Maybe the energy necessary starting the fan repeatedly in working condtions is the same as running it constantly at low rpm?

songman · #11 Post by **songman** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 5:09 pm

duplicated

songman · #12 Post by **songman** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 5:10 pm

"I don't see anything wrong with the fan running even if you are doing nothing. These are laptops and have no other way to get rid of the heat except with the fan. I would MUCH rather the fan run than my laptop get too hot to keep in my lap and believe me I have had some laptops that got so hot you could not stand it."

I always thought one of big advantage of having Centrino was less heat compare to non-centrino. I used couple centrino laptop in the past. Hp and Sony (had to give them back after couple month of use), and I don't recall hearing fan at all anytime I ws using the laptop. Unless IBM built fan to be on all the time and can state good reason behind it, I don't see how it can be an advantage in anyway. I just don't think Fan should be on 90% of the time when using MS Word regardless of volume.

SimonCC · #13 Post by **SimonCC** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:25 pm

----> "always thought one of big advantage of having Centrino was less heat compare to non-centrino. I used couple centrino laptop in the past. Hp and Sony (had to give them back after couple month of use), and I don't recall hearing fan at all anytime I ws using the laptop. Unless IBM built fan to be on all the time and can state good reason behind it, I don't see how it can be an advantage in anyway. I just don't think Fan should be on 90% of the time when using MS Word regardless of volume."

I totally agree. The reason i paid for a centrino is that i thought the fan would be in use less to conserve power, but it is nearly always on!! Even if i just us Word or browse the net. This is a problem and by simpy saying 'well i dont hear it much anyhow' is missing the point. I too have found that Sonys at simmilar spechs are deadly silent AT ALL TIMES. The is a clear design fault and we are being conned into getting all Loyal and all that [censored] (eg. im sure ibm have the fan like that for a reason). The HD too is noisy but i will save that for another time.

songman · #14 Post by **songman** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:31 pm

Are most T42 owners getting Fan noise or is just for few owners?

I am wondering if my comp is lemon or if it's just the way IBM designed it.

Let's put it this way. If I sell this computer and buy another T42, Would it still be the same or no?

SimonCC · #15 Post by **SimonCC** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 6:35 pm

YES songman, read the posts!!

Plinkerton · #16 Post by **Plinkerton** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:51 pm

I've had two T42s, and none of them had loud fan noise at all. My fan actually isn't on right now, and doens't seem to turn on very often.

Please!!! Need help with Pulsating Fan

Please!!! Need help with Pulsating Fan

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