Noisy CPU fan on T-41 -need guidance

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canflyboy · #1 Post by **canflyboy** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:10 pm

Hi

I just recieved an off lease T-41 and noticed that I'm having quite a bit of annoying fan noise. It's a loud humming noise and distracting. I had a T30 that I just sent away to my son and it was never this loud.

Is this hardware or software of a combination of both?

I've monitored the CPU operation with Notebook Hardware Control and found these temp observations.

Turn on computer, cpu temp steadily rises from 33C to about 42C, then the fan turns on. The CPU temp will go down to 33C-34C when idling and surfing the internet, but fan is still on.

Ran Spybot to get the CPU working. Clock speed @ 1600mHZ and the CPU temp rises. Once it hits 54C, the fan becomes louder (more RPM) and will stay that while spybot continues to run. Temperatures will continue to to a max of 66C. Once program ends, Cpu is back to 600 mHZ and temps go back to 34C in very short amount of time. Fan is still running though and still loud. You would think it should turn off.

I tried to install FanControl but end up with an error while trying to run. Error: Error during initialization of WinIo Driver (winio.sys missin in app folder of failed to load).

Any comments on reducing noise? Is the operation of my cpu fan normal? I would have though it would "shut down" once the temperatures are reduced. It NEVER shuts off. I'm suspecting that this has always been a problem and the fan has been on all the time the computer was on and now the whining hum is the sign of a fan ready to go.

Thanks

Eugene Wendland

rbena · #2 Post by **rbena** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:02 pm

Welcome to the Thinkpad forum. You've come to the right place for Thinkpad fan issues, a subject near and dear to a number of users

You can search the T4x forum for fan noise and receive many comments. The best remedy for a quiet fan appears to be to install a replacement "long fan". Certain models are quieter than others.

Search eBay or the Web for these two models: 13R2657, or the newer 41W5204. Both are very quiet, and I recommend purchasing new rather than used / refurbished. You may also be able to order the 41W5204 direct from Lenovo, if they will ensure that model rather than an "equivalent".

For installation, you can either do this yourself, or have a service company install.

sojourner · #3 Post by **sojourner** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:29 pm

canflyboy wrote:I tried to install FanControl but end up with an error while trying to run. Error: Error during initialization of WinIo Driver (winio.sys missin in app folder of failed to load).

The 'winio.sys failed to load' error is common. I received it a LOT too (OS=XP1, rarely get it with W2K4). Found through trial and error a couple of solutions:

1) restart FanControl (ALWAYS worked on second try, and what is REAL nice about it is you can set the fan thresholds as it fits your liking)
2) use a startup DELAY program for FanControl (this worked 80+ percent of the time on startup)
FREEWARE http://www.snapfiles.com/get/startdelay.html

One last note: I now use NHC for XP. Experimented briefly with some of the various FanControl versions. I think switching to the version with a startup 'service' did not give winio error, BUT I'm not sure about that! You may want to experiment with the numerous versions to see how they work for you.

canflyboy · #4 Post by **canflyboy** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:42 am

rbena

My laptop already has the long fan but I think the whining does indicate that it's close to being shot. Before replacing it, I like to get the fan control working so that the fan isn't always on.

I think when CPU temps are below 51C, the fan should be off.

Eugene

snabjab · #5 Post by **snabjab** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:00 pm

If I could resuscitate this thread for just a sec....

I think I've noticed that my T42 fan makes more noise than it used to. I say "I think" because it's quite subtle. At the same time, when it's quiet I notice it and think, "that's not right!"

It may always be louder than it used to be but what catches my attention is the occasional and very slight modulation of tone. It's hte kind of thing that's over at the very instant you've noticed it.

Is this the kind of fan noise people are citing when they talk about fan replacement or am I just overly sensitive?

aaa · #6 Post by **aaa** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:01 pm

snabjab wrote:It may always be louder than it used to be but what catches my attention is the occasional and very slight modulation of tone. It's hte kind of thing that's over at the very instant you've noticed it.

Is this the kind of fan noise people are citing when they talk about fan replacement or am I just overly sensitive?

That's the sound mine made before I switched it out. Well, it was probably louder and often since I had no problem noticing.

canflyboy · #7 Post by **canflyboy** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:51 pm

My T41 is the noisiest from my brood (T30, T40,41 and 42). I find that when using it late at night when the house is very quite, the noise became a distraction.

I'm using fancontrol with great success and it keeps the noise down. I took apart the T41 for the first time and found out that it has a short fan. I'm not sure if this fan was replaceed incorrectly, because the IBM parts manual shows mine as having a long fan.

I should get the long fan on Monday and then I'll see of it makes a difference. The other thinkpads are quieter so I think my T41 fan was starting to go.

Eugene

snabjab · #8 Post by **snabjab** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:53 am

Thanks for sharing your experiences. My fan my actually be on its way out since I seem to be noticing it more and more. I'd definitely be interested in hearing your experiences with the new fan even though we don't have the same model (mine's a T42 2373M1U). Also, a fan control program might be a temporary fix - do you have a recommended program?

Many thanks!

canflyboy · #9 Post by **canflyboy** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:12 am

Latest Version of fancontrol can be found here
https://sourceforge.net/project/showfil ... _id=153962

Very important to read the README first. Once the program is installed and fancontrol.exe is executed, a small icon appears in the lower right. Click on the fancontrol icon to run. After reading the README file, you have to reconfigure fancontrol.ini file to be able to control the fan yourself. You'll have three options. Bio (computer controlled), Smart (this is the one I use, it's like a thermostat on your car and will turn the fan on as needed) and Manual (self explanitory).

If you have Notebook Hardware Control installed and running on your laptop, it will probably conflict with the fancontrol program.

More information can be garnered by doing a "fancontrol" search in the T4* forums. Start by following this link: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=17715

Good Luck

Should be getting new (ebay new) long fan to replace my short fan on the T41 early next week.

Eugene

snabjab · #10 Post by **snabjab** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 5:47 pm

Many thanks for the tips! I won't be able to consider major hardware changes for the time being so the fan control program may be a good alternative.

Noisy CPU fan on T-41 -need guidance

Noisy CPU fan on T-41 -need guidance

Re: Noisy CPU fan on T-41 -need guidance

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