Question

Toshiba Tecra M3 fan

Asked by: mrosier

Hi Folks,
I have an older laptop from Toshiba. It is a Tecra M3 and it works fine, but the user is complaining that the cooling fan is kicking on and strongly occasionally when she is using it. I have checked the Task Manager and there is not even any CPU usage when it happens. Is it just simple heat regulation likely? Is there a way to check? Thanks!

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Asked On
2009-11-03 at 12:27:03ID24868686
Tags

Cooling Fan

Topics

General Laptop

,

PC Laptops

Participating Experts
2
Points
100
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: David-HowardPosted on 2009-11-03 at 14:01:58ID: 25734278

This is usually related to overheating. If nothing has changed within her environment (meaning she hasn't blocked air flow somehow, etc.) there may be an internal component that is over heating. You might have to use a temperature monitoring suite (such as the one listed below) in order to troubleshoot.
http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/
If the problem persists she may be able to avoid overheating by placing a small fan near the laptop.

 

by: HaxusPosted on 2009-11-03 at 14:21:08ID: 25734469

Sometimes BIOS updates will help with fan control.  Otherwise it may be a loose fan, heat sink, debris blocking air flow, or simply a sensor problem.  

Another temperature monitoring suite that I am more familiar with and would recommend is Speedfan.  The one suggested above may be perfectly fine though :)

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

In a laptop with a modern processor, generally temps around 55C are acceptable, so if you're going too far above that you may have a physical problem.  I wouldn't recommend putting a fan near your laptop as a solution though.

 

by: mrosierPosted on 2009-11-04 at 06:26:39ID: 25739539

so would it be wise to go inside the machine, reseat the heat sink and fan, and do a BIOS update? The temp monitors look pretty cool, but will they also help in controlling temperature?

 

by: David-HowardPosted on 2009-11-04 at 08:55:24ID: 25741315

If you are comfortable with accessing the laptop and know where you're headed once the case is off a look couldn't hurt. And Mrosier, my comment of placing a fan near the system was not meant as a solution. Only a stop gap measure until the problem is identified.

 

by: HaxusPosted on 2009-11-04 at 19:10:31ID: 25746440

If you find something wrong like a loose heat sink or debris, then I would skip the BIOS update unless you are having other problems that you think it may fix (i.e. blue screens, sleep/hibernate problems, etc)




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