Laptop overheats only when running Slackware.
 

Hello,

I recently installed Slackware 12.2 on my Toshiba Satellite P205D (AMD Athlon 64 X2 - using 32 bit operating systems), and I'm pretty excited to start using it. However, while running Slackware, my computer suddenly powers off, apparently from overheating. I can run it for a while in the console, but when I start X, particularly when using KDE, it overheats after a short time.

I also run Windows XP SP3 on the same computer without any cooling issues. Once, when my computer turned off, I restarted straight into Windows so I could check my core temps. They were around 180 deg F., which is very high. After using XP for a while, they went down to almost 140 deg F., my usual temp for this time of year.

Previous to Slackware 12.2 (kernel 2.6.27.7), I used:

OpenSUSE 11.0 (kernel 2.6.25) no overheating at all.

Debian Lenny (kernel 2.6.26) no overheating, but sometimes locked up when interacting with window managers, like dragging windows.

So it seems like the main difference between Slackware and my others is its kernel being newer. I have the source for 2.30, which I was going to compile but couldn't because of overheating in X. I could try installing it from the console though. I'm hoping the new kernel might fix the problem, especially if I configure it with all the modules. If not, I could downgrade to 2.26, which works. Another possibility is that I simply don't have the right software installed or running which works with cooling.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,

Welcome to LQ and Slackware!

You don't need 'X' to compile a new kernel. You can take a look at 'Building a Linux Kernel from source'.

Which kernel are you using now?

This link and others are available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

I know I don't need to be running an X server to compile the kernel, I just meant I wanted to do it in KDE with 'make xconfig' so it would be easier (less keyboard use). Thanks for the link, it looks like a great guide.

Right now I'm using the kernel included on the install media: 2.6.27.7 hugesmp.s

One thing is I was too lazy to read about the difference between huge.s and hugesmp.s when installing. Could my using hugesmp.s as opposed to huge.s have something to do with my problem?

Also, thanks for the quick response!

EDIT:
After some reading, I found that I chose the right kernel, having two processor cores. However is this the right choice for ANY computer with 2 cores?

the principal differences between hugesmp and huge is that the hugesmp kernel has got acpi enabled, this should be one of the features that the hugesmp kernel has got, but make sure that there are minor features, the thing doesn't finish there, any way you choose the right kernel to start(when you'll solve your problem you'll probably switch to a generic kernel that is smaller and faster, it loads less features and modules) ...Any way I compiled my 2.6.30 kernel using "make menuconfig", with ncurses graphical interface, it's easy to use and you've to move with the four buttons of the keyboard...It looks a little faster than xconfig(I'm faster with the keyboard), well, I compiled it in tty without starting X, once finished I just rebooted.

Slackware is well documented, use this documentation that is very complete, easy to understand, even a teenager as me learned "how-to use" linux reading wiki, man pages and documentation in general, they're always useful ;)

To my knowledge there is a kernel module to support Toshiba laptops. It is accompanied by some utilities that allow for temperature control etc. Maybe you just have to ensure that this module (I think it has "toshiba" in its name) is loaded.

The difference between Slackwre and other distros is probably NOT the kernel, here, but the fact, that other distros automagically load this module, while in Slackware you have to configure this manually.

Also, ACPI or APM modules may help (or get in your way, if you choose the wrong one for your hardware).

I am pretty sure, that compiling a new kernel will not solve the overheating problem you describe (but it may improve other things, though).

gargamel

Thanks gargamel, I'll check for the module and if apm / acpi are running. I think when I was using Debian apm was running and acpi was not, but I'll experiment with those later. It's a fresh install so I have nothing to lose. ;)

I'm probably going to upgrade the kernel eventually, but if I can have my system working right I'll put it off for a while.

BTW, KDE comes with some power management functions, that only can be used when all necessary modules are loaded. So, first check for the module, then configure power management in KDE.

I own a Toshiba laptop, too, but I a don't have it with me, right now, so I cannot look at the configuration. But as far as I remember the steps mentioned is just what I did, and everything runs just fine.

Good luck, and, BTW, it would be nice if you could report back, what finally solves your problem.

gargamel

Thanks again, I'd take a look at my laptop now but I'm installing something in Windows so I'll share my findings later.

The two important ACPI modules are 'processor' and 'thermal', and maybe 'fan' might be useful. Make sure they show up in 'lsmod', if not, 'modprobe' them.

Correct!
Not sure about any equivalent modules to be used with APM, though.

gargamel

BTW, this thread might be of interest to you:

Powermanagement

gargamel

CrowtRobot did you check (using KSysguard, or "top" in the terminal) whether there's a process stuck with 100% CPU usage? I wouldn't expect a newer kernel to behave so badly. Even if ACPI etc. fail, there should be no reason for CPU to heat up like that unless there's some software using it heavily.

I was finally able to reboot into Slack so I did a few checks...

Ilgar: According to top, my CPU usage was under 2%, half of which was top running.

H TeXMeX H: The processor and thermal modules were loaded according to lsmod. I loaded fan with modprobe and now I'm waiting to see how long my computer will stay on.

gargamel: I think the module you're referring to is called toshiba_acpi. I tried to modprobe it in and got the error:

(.../kernel/drivers/acpi/toshiba_acpi.ko): No such device

...Or something very close to this.

As far as I know, this means the module wasn't (correctly) compiled.

Hi,

I would suggest that you read all the documentation that PV has provided but the few following will aid you; Announce 12.2, Slackware-Howto, CHANGES_AND_HINTS.TXT, UPGRADE.TXT. Plus the other text files relevant to your needs.

'Slackware® Basics' is another good reference listed in the 'Slackware Reference' section.

These links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

Thanks for the information onebuck, I'm spending some time reading through it.

As for the current state of my laptop, it's been 30 minutes since login and it's still running fine. Physically, the bottom of the laptop doesn't feel extremely hot, like when it used to shut down. The fan also sounds like it might be running faster than before. When I acutally try to view the temperature, /proc/acpi/thermal_zone is empty. Is there anywhere else the thermal data could be?

I still get errors when trying to modprobe toshiba and toshiba_acpi, but it appears as though some progress has been made.

Thank you for your input gargamel, H TeXMeX H, Ilgar, onebuck, and metrofox.

EDIT:
After doing some research, I found that the toshiba_acpi driver accesses /dev/toshiba, which does not exist. I'm considering recompiling the kernel with the modules. Any suggestions?