Fancontrol/Fan Speed/Noisy Fan
 

Problem: Noisy Fan, constantly running.
Possible Solution: Reduce fan speed, set temperatures so fan does not run constant.

All of my attempts have been with failure.

I have read multiple tutorials, manuals, and forum threads on the topic. In hopes of finding some resolution, im asking this community for any information they can lend. If anyone can help suggest how to control the fan speed and fan on / off i would appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.

The sensors command detected only temperature measuring devices. It did not detect any fan controlling device. Your computer almost certainly does not have one. What is the make and model of the computer?

There may be BIOS settings on it. However, the solution should be thought out. How many fans do you have and of what size and orientation ? If you have just one small fan, replace it with a large one (less noise, more efficient).

RE: Fancontrol
 

Firstly thank you for the replys.

@catkin
"fancontrol" is not a device but an executable in / for linux. I do have it, but terminal replied that it could not read the config file. That is one detail i will be looking to. Why is it not readable?

The laptop / notebook, is an old HP Pavilion model zv6000. Last production year all points back to 2004-2005.

@H_TeXMeX_H
I had not looked at the BIOS, trusting some of what i had read saying there was no help in the bios. I will look into it.

There are two fans. I took apart the machine and cleaned it. Both fans inlet and outlet vents were clogged with dust and hair. The fan that has been making the noise was the only one i wrote down all the details on. This fan (the cpu fan) is 5volts DC, 3watts. The other fan apears to be an assistant. It engages upon boot up and heavy task load.

Since the cleaning the noisy fan is not as loud. I can say the propeller spindle does not have continuous rotation. That is when spun by hand there is a drag in the action. I would deduce from all things considered, the fan has been over worked / over heated.

Im way ahead of you on replacing the fan ;) . Still curious as to how to manipulate the fans with linux.

Yes -- fancontrol is software -- but it needs suitable hardware facilities to control the speed of the fan(s), usually (always?) a "Super I/O" chip that also measures temperatures and fan speeds. The lm_sensors supported hardware page does not list any Pavilions. Not 100% conclusive but strongly suggestive.

In case you want to replace the noisy fan, Silent PC Review has a lot of information about fan models. Some are much quieter than others.

Yeah, if your intakes/heatsinks are clogged with dust, etc. the fans need to work harder to cool the CPU, etc..

Not so much 'overworked' as a cheap fan to begin with, probably sleeve bearings (maybe rifle bearings). Its farily old, mostly likely the lubrication is dried out.

@catkin

Thanks for the clarification on the need for hardware components with the software. I was under the impression the software simply worked with temperature sensors. I was not aware a chip was also needed. I would have also thought that fancontrol could also manipulate the fans speed by filtering the electrical output to the fan. Pulse width modulation would be the key reference on that theory.

Thanks for the look-up on lm-sensors.

Lastly thank you for the link. I will look into that.

@cascade9

Thank you for the response.

I read a few articles that suggest lubrication, if oil does not fix it then the bearings are shot. I did not have the correct kind of oil around the house when I had the fan in my hands. I did not want to use liquid wrench on it.

PWM is the ideal solution and is used for 4-wire fans. Actual implementation depends on the motherboard designers. Fan headers are 3- or 4-pin. Sometimes 4-pin fan headers are driven as 3-pin with the 4th pin not used.