fan constantly running/how to control it?

otoomet · 03-24-2006, 02:28 PM

After an upgrade of my sarge, the fan of my laptop is almoust always on. I have been trying to find the reason but so long without any success. The computer is as responsive as before. I am a bit suspectful about load avg being around 0.3 although cpu usage is only ~3%. Have not found which processes cause the high avg.

Can anyone give me any hint, which programs/modules control the fan? I have a custom 2.6.7 kernel (which was not upgraded), it is ASUSM2400 centrino laptop.

I have libsensors installed but not lm-sensors.

Any ideas?
Ott

lestoil · 03-24-2006, 04:39 PM

If you have a custom kernel, have you considered getting newer kernel or compiling 2.6.15+ kernel with better cpu throttling and newer ACPI? linux-on-laptops has several Sarge and Etch lappy install notes that include kernel config files for models with your hardware. It's just a matter of finding those notes and using irc for more current help/info. Look into acpid,powernowd,cpufreqd,klaptodaemon.Good luck

cwwilson721 · 03-25-2006, 02:44 PM

I have a script I use in Slackware, and run it in my rc.local file:

Code:

# Set the trip point temperatures (in Celsius)
echo -n "100:0:90:80:45" > /proc/acpi/thermal_zone/THRM/trip_points

# Activate the temperature control system of the kernel
echo -n "15" > /proc/acpi/thermal_zone/THRM/polling_frequency

# Turn off the fan
echo -n "3" > /proc/acpi/fan/FAN0/state

Not sure if it will help you w/Sarge, but it stops my fan, and runs it when proc temp gets above 45C

otoomet · 07-08-2007, 03:38 AM

Well, a newer kernel helps. Currently I am running 2.6.18 and using governor mode "ondemand". The computer is rather quiet now.

Thanks for your replies.

otoomet · 01-26-2009, 10:22 AM

... and clean your computer ;-)

Open it, remove the fan, and look what dust is down there. It cannot be removed by simply blowing/vacuum cleaning from outside.