empty /proc/acpi/fan directory
 

Hey

After much trials and tribulations :-), I was able to get some ACPI functionality on my notebook - Sager NP5620 running Slack 10 kernels 2.4.26 and 2.6.7. Supend and Standy don't appear to work but this is not a real issue because the system is used mostly as a desktop replacement. What is really annoying, is the fan noise. The fans never seem to stop when the notebook is running on electricity from the wall outlets - even when the cpu load is 0% and during prolonged periods of inactivity. When powered by the battery though the fans do go on and off in accordance with system temperature.

I have read that the fans can be controlled with ACPI using the entries in the /proc/acpi/fan directory. The problem is that on my system, this directory is totally empty. Has any one who has had a similar experience been able to have those files created in that directory afterwards thus facilitating some fan control? I would truly like to get a solution.

Cheers.

Are your ACPI functions built in to the kernel or modules?

They are built into the kernel.

I've got an empty fan directory, fan does turn on and off though. Turns on at 50 and off at 40 when on mains or battery.

I hacked top so that I could watch the battery level and temp without using gkerllm.

Just guessing here, but are the ACPI functions in your bios enabled?
I have an old Gateway laptop and I keep these functions DISABLED in the
bios. I have used both APM and ACPI with good fan control.
Just in case it matters, these are the ACPI functions I have enabled:

ac
battery
button
fan
processor
thermal

Yep the acpi functions in the BIOS are enabled

i dont know if i have acpi in kernal or module. i know thats what i selected in the summary of the installation, my fan directory is also emtpy what should i do to fix this?

Hi,
I have the same problem: /proc/acpi/fan is empty.
But fans work well.
I just wonder who controls them!!??
At this time, it's just curiosity!!

My /proc/acpi/thermal_zone/THRM contains

cooling_mode polling_frequency state temperature trip_points

and it works well with gkrellm.
Only fans are the mistery...
Any idea?

Thanks,
hamen

PS
Maybe I have Jedi powers to control my fans.. no?