Fan control utility

DISCLAIMER
Using this software CAN ruin your computer. Proceed with caution.

Hello ladies and gents. Today I present to you: ACFanControl. This is a little utility that reads and writes to the Embedded Controller, that which controls your fan, monitor brightness, keyboards, etc... However, the most useful aspect to us is probably the ability to control the fan. So without further ado, here it is:

Clicky

Here's a very short guide on how to adapt the program to your Acer machine. You'll need some free time (a lot actually), a stress-testing program (like Prime95/IntelBurnTest/Furmark), and a temp monitoring program. I recommend OCCT for the later 2. Please read ALL of the following before attempting, because reading might save you some time and effort:

First, download the program. If your machine is not listed above, then just install it normally. The program should install a shortcut called Edit ACFanControl.ini. Find it and open it. Find in there the line ActiveMode=. Change the value to 0 for now. This will make the program reads the settings only, and cannot make any changes.

First thing you should do is let your laptop idle for a while. Have a temp monitor program open. Then open ACFanControl up and immediately press Read EC->EC1. It'll take a while, and the program might appear to be not responding, but give it time. You're getting all the EC data from the Embedded controller. When it shows up (a big list of hex numbers), find the temperatures in the list. When you've found the temps, put each offset into the text field on the right and press read. If the offset's data changes with the temperature, then that's the sensor. Write these offsets down.

Now, you'll need to fire up that stress test program, and let it run for a while. What we're trying to do is to get the BIOS to up the fan speed, and thereby allowing us to know where the offsets for fan control and fan speed are. After a while, your CPU+GPU will be nicely baked . Turn off the program. Now, press read EC->EC2. Wait for a while.

Now, what you need to do is compare the previous hex list and the new hex list for differences. How, you ask? I don't know, you think of something. If you need to view the old list, press display EC1. New list? display EC2.

Look for offsets that originally had a low value, and then a higher value. Usually, the values for the fan's current profile is between 1 and 6, and the value of the BIOS' command is between 0-5. Find those two. If you're lucky, the offsets will be at 94 and 85 respectively. If not, find them. Also try to find an offset where there is a big change. It's most likely the fan speed offset. Hint: Use the disp. EC2-EC1 button to make it easier.

Now, what you need to do is try to change the values for the BIOS' command offset. You need to find a value where it will allow you to change the fan profile. I suggest looking at values from 10 and above. When you try a new value, write random values to the other offset. If you feel the fan changes and/or see the fan offset changes, you've probably hit the right value. Put in more numbers, see if the speed changes accordingly. If yes, you're on. If not, keep trying.

Now, once you've gotten the value, it's time to do some experimenting. Keep the BIOS command value the same, and start experimenting with fan profile values. Start from 0, and work your way up. Note the fan speed. It's best if you keep an excel table. Note: Some values may turn off the fan, and in my case, permanently. You have to reset the BIOS command value to 0 (allow BIOS to take over), and then once you hear the fan spin up, change it back and continue.

A note about the fan speed: Bigger isn't necessarily faster. In my case (8940G), the fastest fan speed is at values between 210-220, 6th profile. 5th profile, between 240-255.

After you've found 6 levels of fan speed, or found the levels you wanted to find, it's time to edit the ini to your liking. You may want to consult Google Translate for the descriptions of the variables. The description does a good job, so you shouldn't have too many problems

If you're not computer savvy, or doesn't have any idea what to do, shoot me a PM with the following information: BIOS command offset, fan profile offset, fan speed offset, BIOS command manual value, fan profile level values, fan speed values (which profile has which fan speed value), and what you want to do (full manual editing, automated, etc etc). I'll help you with editing the ini file. Also provide your model and BIOS version, so I can add it to the list.

ini list:
Acer 8940G-6865 with bios 3114: View attachment ACFanControl_8940g.zip
8942g: View attachment ACFanControl_71b_8942G_ini.zip (older version, but should still work)
Extensa 5635z: View attachment ACFanControl_extensa 5635z.zip (same as above)

Those who are adventurous can always head over to Lüfterkontrolle 5235 / 5635 (z/g/zg): Testing - Acer-Userforum.de with google translator.

 

Does this work on Acer Ferrari 200 ? I need so bad a utility to quiet its fan.

 

This is a great tool. Thanks. Works miracles on 8942g.

 

Have others used this for the 8940g?

Any updates for Bios 3114? Do you have any guidance for using this utility?

Do you have any plans to enable fahrenheit instead of celius?

 

I'm currently using BIOS ver. 3114, and the settings are the same.

As for fahrenheit, I'm not sure. I'll have to ask the developers.

 

I made my own scheeme for fan speeds and tested it for a couple of days in everyday use and games. Not a single problem. GPU is warmer than CPU according to the ACFanControl and temps here are the higher reported (GPU)

Idle temps and light windows work: 47-52 fan off or 1st fan speed (much softer than the default BIOS 2nd speed)
Video and TV: around 50 - 1st fan speed
Gaming: around 68 after an hour - 5th fan speed (it is one below the fastest fan speed)

This is my fan speed scheme:

// Celsius/FanCtrl/BiosCtrl/CtrlNWrite

Level=10 216 03 0
Level=35 255 31 0
Level=43 255 31 0
Level=48 1 31 0
Level=52 2 31 0
Level=56 3 31 0
Level=63 4 31 0
Level=67 5 31 0
Level=70 6 31 0

I also tried fan off up to 58 and then when fan enters 1st speed it needs around 1 minute to bring it down to 45. Computer is virtually silent (I have an SSD and other drive goes off after 15mins on idle) for the most of the time. This is soooo nice late in the evening .

Default BIOS keeps it down to 40 in windows at mostly 2nd fan speed. Too noisy and too low in my opinion.

 

Damn, I wish my 8940G has temps like that . And nice bios too. Mine has values all over the place.

 

Have you found anything from the developers about converting to fahrenheit?

 

No luck I'm afraid

 

Thanks for checking and for providing the utility. This thing just works great.

 

Tested and confirmed working on an Acer 5742G. Wow I didn't realise how fast I can set this thing. Sounds like my laptop has a jet engine lurking under the hood if I turn the level up

Will be great for gaming as I don't mind a little noise and I wear headphones anyway.

 

A mini guide was added to the main page

 

Could someone help me figure this out? I have my values with low fan, values with mid-speed fan, and an excel file of each, with the differences between them. I attached all of them. Could someone tell me how to interpret them? I'm pretty confused.

 

What is your PC specs?

 

Sorry, I forgot to change my sig. I'm on an Acer 8943G.

 

Try this: when your comp is idle, please read EC->EC1 and take a screenshot. Then get a stability test tool, like Intel Burn Test and run it. For IBT, run it at standard memory, 6 threads (if you have 8 threads). Let it run for a while. Should get your temps up nicely. Listen closely to hear if the fan is spinning faster. If it is, read EC->EC2 and take another screenshot. Then take another screenshot of EC2-EC1 and post it up here.

 

Thanks! Here's what I got:

 

Hmm. Seems nice enough.

Here's what you should do:

Keep doing the stability test to keep your CPU nice and hot. Then, change offset 85 from 11 onwards. Make it 11,12,13 etc etc. Whenever you change offset 85, turn off the stability test to allow the CPU to cool. If the CPU cool and the fan still stays at high speed, you probably have the right number. Don't use the RPM figure for the fan speed. Find something else to measure fan speed, like noise.

When you see the fan turned off, please change 85 back to 0/1 and allow the BIOS to take over. Keep checking. When you found a number that locks or change the fan speed, proceed to do the same with offset 94, but starting from 0 instead. Whenever the fan stops, you have to reset 85, and then continue. Use the stability test's CPU temperature to measure fan effectiveness, or the fan noise, or whatever else you can think of.

If you still have questions, post it here.

 

D'oh! I think studying for finals shut off my brain. In the guide where it says to look for offset 85, I thought it meant the value should be 85! Now it makes a lot more sense. Thanks for helping! Just to clarify, I should:

1: enter 85 in the "enter offset" field
2: push read button
3: enter "11, 12, 13, etc" in the "enter value to be written" field
4: push the write button

Should I do the same for the 94 offset, or is 85 enough? Sorry, I don't normally require so much handholding. I think finals fried my brain. +rep for your effort.

 

Don't worry. I'll be there in 2 weeks, so I feel your pain.

Anyway, yep, you got the gist of it. You have to search for a value where the fan speed would stay the same regardless of temperature. That's most likely the manual fan value. Then you have to find the fan speeds using the same steps, but on offset 94 instead.

It'll take quite a bit of time, but very worth it.

 

I have another question. I played around some with the offsets and discovered that a value of 1 in #94 produces a nice, gentle, barely audible hum and keeps my temps around 50 C when idling/surfing the net/watching Youtube. Is there a way to force this fan value if CPU & GPU temps are under 55 C, and then let the BIOS take over when I'm gaming and break the threshold?

 

Absolutely. What you need to do is to open up ACFanControl.ini. Find the lines named ActiveMode, change that to 3. Then, change the following lines:
ManModeControl=0
BiosAtManMode= (your value at offset 85)
ManFanSpeed=1 (obviously)

Then change then lines ManModeExit=55 and SmartModeExit=55. You're done.

Note: I'm not sure whether the program will revert back to manual mode. Gotta test it.

 

Please help me

My laptop is aspire 5715z and i have upgraded the cpu to t9300

Although i have underclocked and undervolted to 600MHz

the fan is almost always on. Temp never exceeds 35C ! It's stupid

Thank You!

 

Can you please open Acfancontrol.ini and change the line to ActiveMode=0?

And then, take the ss again? ^_^

 

Thank You!
Here you are, the new screenshots

I just deleted the // in front of ActiveMode

do i have to change anything else?

 

I think i did it correct now

 

Please also provide temps too. It'll help a lot

 

Temps reported from RMClock :

for EC1 600MHz no fan ( it last's only for ~1min before it kicks in again) 33C

for EC2 2500MHz +2 levels from EC1 ( i can notice a clear loud change as the temp rises : it's 52C ( it doesn't get any hotter)

But when i used to use throttlestop it reported higher temps!

How can i get accurate temps? ( realtemp, coretemp )

 

You can use something like CPUID or HWMonitor.

 

Do you know if this utility works on the AS5750 (I3-2310m)? Thanks

 

UP!

Same question here, i have the 5750G with the i7 2630QM and the temperatures are a little bit hot in full gaming... with throttlestop turboboost off and a fan control for this model will perfect.

Thanks in advance.

 

It should work, but you have to experiments to find out which values work for you .

 

Hello,

here is my ini.
Perfect for the Core i5 and i7!
For Office very quiet!
When the fan turns violent gaming strong as it should be.
4 hours with prime95 tests and settings, Gothic 3 and Furmark!
A Smart Mode for all states!

new ACFanControl_setup.zip v0.72ti built 20101004 (ACFanControl_setup.exe, 818 kByte)





Thank you maikvalberg


If you want to customize your .Ini file ...



greetings from germany:wink:

V.6 has been improved!
An error has been fixed in battery mode.

V.5 has been improved!
At very low temperatures (below 39 degrees Celsius, an error has been corrected.

V.4 has been improved!
At low temperatures, the fan is quieter and weaker!

V.3 has been improved!
Extreme cooling (much higher than Fan 6) at very high temperatures above 89 degrees Celsius ...

 

First of all, I'd like to thank you VERY MUCH for this utility. I can't even begin to explain how much time and trouble I went through to find a fan control program that actually works with my Acer 5739G. None of them did, except for this one.

Anyway, I did all the steps (took me about an hour or so) and I tried fan levels from 0 to 7 (6 and 7 didn't do anything) but I have no idea what to do next. One thing i have to say first is that my fan speeds up when gaming and starts to pulsate or speed up even faster, in bursts every 1-3 seconds. I would like to set the fan to level 5 after reaching a certain temperature, say 75, to avoid this. So for temperatures of 75 and above set the fan to level 5 but for anything less go to default settings. How do i do this? Also one more question: What is SMART mode?

I have a feeling this program will get rid of this problem for me. Thanks a lot.

 

Hello 11hani11,

In this forum there is an appropriate ini. - File for you.
Smart Mode is the changed attitude by ACFanControl.

greetings from germany :wink:

 

Thank you Searcher,

Before copying the ini into the directory, the fastest speed I found was level 5 at 1960 rpm. I tested levels from 0-7 but none of them are as fast as the speed when it pulsates or bursts. Are there any more levels because i noticed in the .ini the levels are different.

I tested the ini but it is still pulsating at high load. Also I noticed the temperature changes rapidly when I stress test (within a second), is this normal?

 

Hello 11hani11,

post your ini -. file here.
I'll see what I can do for you.

The rise in temperature is normal for your CPU in the stress test.
Is your laptop clean?
Dust blown out ...

What temperature will show ACFanControl (office, internet, no games ...)?
What temperature do you have in complex games?

Greetings from Germany :smile:

 

I am not using my own .ini because I have not made one yet as I have no idea what to change. I just started using the one you gave me in the link for Acer 5739G. The laptop is pretty clean but this problem has been present even when it was brand new and I sent it to Acer but they didn't fix it. They just replaced the motherboard and that did not help the fan issue.

Normal web browsing/ almost idle:

OCFanControl: 53

OCCT:

CPU1: 58
CPU2: 58
GPU: 47

After 30 min of gaming on left 4 dead on high settings:

Fan level went all the way up to 4 (not 5) and begins to pulsate after about 10 min of gaming.

CPFanControl: 86

OCCT:

CPU1: 91
CPU2: 86
GPU: 73

Cheers to Germany

 

Hello 11hani11,

if I understood you correctly, your measurements are still without ACFanControl and ini -. file from the link above?
post your ini -. file here, so I can optimize this eventually (-. ini file from the forum link)

Smart Mode to be enabled in ACFanControl:



Then you have a modified fan!

greetings from germany :smile:

 

You understood correctly but I took down ACFanControl for CPU only. Would you like me to do it all over again by using ACFanControl for CPU and GPU? How do I post the .ini? Just copy and paste?

Just saw your edit. This is what I am seeing:

 

You pack the ACFanControl.ini as zip -. File, and post it here as an attachment.

greetings :wink:

 

Well it's the same one from that forum. I haven't changed it. Attached now.

Computer works fine. A little quieter than normal at idle but at high load, the fan goes up to level 4 and starts to pulsate (even with ACFanControl) but the fan level remains at 4 according to ACFanControl.

Read EC1 at idle gives me

offset 88 ---> CPU1= 47
offset 89---> GPU= 42
offset 90 ---> CPU2 = 47

 

Hello 11hani11,

ok, thank you!

I'm going to look at the ini.
Maybe I can help you.

How your computer works with the ini...
ok, so the only problem is the pulsation of the fan at high temperatures?
Fan 4 seems to be too low at high temperatures.
At high temperatures, the fan should run for a maximum.

greetings from germany :smile:

 

Yes it does seem low because the fastest setting i found was level 5 and it doesn't go there although it sounds louder because of the fan bursts (pulsating). That's pretty much the only problem. I was thinking maybe this can be avoided by forcing the fan to go to level 5 after reaching a certain temperature.

 

Here is one. Ini. File for you.
Check the high temparatures...
A Smart Mode for all states!

Is very difficult for me because I do not have your laptop!


greetings from germany :wink:

 

Thanks Searcher for the help. I appreciate it.

just tested it.. first 5 minutes of gaming it went to level 5 and was quiet. At 80-85 CPU temp it goes to level 4 again and starts to pulsate. Now, I'm assuming that copying the .ini file to the directory (to replace the old file) is the way to do it right? Also, the temperature icon looks better and there is only "Smart Mode" not "Smart mode 1" or Smart Mode 2"

Btw i know it is 2 am in Germany. So I'm sure you're tired and need sleep. I don't want to keep you awake.

I know what you mean... but if you want I will let you control my pc via teamviewer or something.

 

test it!

I only have DSL Light (45kb download & 9kb upload)
No streaming, ...

I've seen that when you read only 3 CPUs will ...

I therefore have an ini -. File for you.
Check times which CPUs to be read!

greetings :wink:

 

I tested it ... pretty much the same it goes to level 5 at start of gaming then after about 5-10 min (at about 85C CPU temp) goes to level 4 and starts to pulsate.

Btw: Not to be rude but you have all this awesome hardware and your connection is slow. Why? In Germany you have better speeds than the USA.

 

I live on the moon, because there are not that fast internet!



Seriously, I live very isolated in nature.
But next year there is an expansion ...

Do you have the BIOS version 3310?
If the fan jumps to 4 and pulsates, then ACFanControl is still on Smart Mode?
How does it look for you?


(Acer 8942G)

 

First one is temp. after pulsating begins. second is after I alt-tabbed (about 30 sec) and last is after about 2 minutes later. Funny thing is after I alt-tab and wait a little the pulsating stops. I wish I lived on the moon, at least you don't need a fan because it's cold up there. I noticed the fan switched to level 4 about 2 seconds after I alt-tabbed as you can see from the screenshots. Also They are all on Smart mode, didn't change.

BIOS is the latest ver. 3310

Cheers,

Hani