Fan control with variable RPM now available for A8H!

The fan for the A8 series seems to run constantly even when it shouldn't have to. This makes the laptop far more noisy than necessary. This thread will help solve the problem for all A8H owners, and possibly for many more models with some modifications.

Instead of stealing the other fan control thread for A8J, let's start a new one based on the post by doneAlexandro and his link to this file for use with NHC and the Asus A8H.

It's just everything I have dreamed about since I got my laptop 3 months ago. The ACPI files found above give really good control over the fan, with several options to choose from. I find the "Automatic Speed Control" to be working flawlessly, my computer is very silent and with a stable NHC temp reading of 40 degrees c when working/browsing.

I realize that A8H is not the most common notebook on this forum, but let's make this thread a discussion about ACPI Variable fan control for A8H and the A8 series in general. I ask all A8H users to try the files for NHC and give some feedback.

I would like to say a big Thank You to "NullPointer" for making the ACPI files and to doneAlexandro for posting the original link.

 

Can these new acpi files set the minimum rpm of the fan to something like 1000-1500? If so, and if it also works for other A8 models as well, just great!

 

Yes, you can set a minimum RPM, but the figures are translated to some kind of index ranging from 0-255. Default speed before using these ACPI settings were 144 for me, now it's set to 105 and this is a considerable change in noise level. Of course the laptop runs hotter but IMO it's so worth it.

One really important thing is that different fan speeds produce different types of noise, it must be related to the resonance and vibrations in the chassis. So changing the fan speed from 144 to 140 might not change the temperature at all, but could produce a much softer noise.

I would like to hear if anyone tried to make this work for other A8 models as well.

 

will this work in Vista?

can't seem to get NHC to work with vista.. im using rightmark CPU clock utility to monitor CPU temperatures

 

nhc is not compatible with vista at the moment. You'll get the BSOD if you try.


insane

 

Hi there

I've updated ACPI script for A8H mainboard several times.

Features of the lastest version:
[-] Automatic software temperature control removed (that was very experimental mode and it should be improved much to work well before getting it published to all users)
[+] Manual software control and automatic software fan speed control code updated
[!] Added overheat prevention feature for software control (BIOS enables default hardware fan speed control if temperature is over than some given value)

Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/18913783/ASUS_A8H_upd01032007_Core2Duo_patch_required_.zip.html

Core2Duo patch for NHC pre-release 04 is required (new ACPI functions support)!
Get it at NHC's site:
http://www.pbus-167.com/nhc/nhc.htm#anchor_download

--

TODO:
[!] Automatic software temperature control (to keep CPU's temperature within given limits using any fan speed)
[!] LCD backlight level control (possibly with ability to control backlight level for ac and battery modes separatively)

Any other ideas?

 

Hi, I will try this new version and give you feedback after some use. Thanks for the initiative!

ps. You must be NullPointer right?

 

That's right

Please report any problems with the script.

 

I think that, at least this feature, is not really neccessary because most people use the Fn+F5/F6 keys to control the backlight. While I`m not saying you should abandon the idea...
For example: I wanted a backlight control for my F3Jc but I had zero previous experience with programming C#, so I took a A7D ACPI file, by trial and error cut out everything besides the backlight control, changed the class to f3jc and it worked. I was able to define backlight levels at 100/67/33% battery charge.
...so I`m saying that perhaps you can make the screen dim progressively. Lets say that every 10% off the battery decreases the brightness by one notch on the OSD. And it would be nice if it was released sepeately so owners of other ASUS notebooks with less programming experience were able to benefit from it.

 

NP_, to be honest i can't find any difference from the previous version. Maybe the coding is better now and more stable, but it's hard to tell. Thanks anyway for your contribution!

I use the Fn+ keys to control brightness and it works well, so I can't see the need for this function in NHC.

The Automatic software temperature control on the other hand, would be very useful indeed! It would be cool if the fan speed would change slowly so you don't have a big jump in speed as soon as the temp goes up just one degree...

 

I disagree, I think the brightness control would be great, because my screen always dims down when I unplug the AC-power but it doesn't go back to max when I plug it back in So incredible boring turning it back up and down manually a couple times a day :/

 

Hi!

I have small update for you

New features:
[+] Enhanced profile switching mechanism (removes boring fast switching between two profiles if temperature is near temperature bounds; thanks doneAlexandro for the idea);
[+] Fan speed is in rpms now (it's software approximation because my Z99H does not have hardware tachometer; values are based on BIOS information)
[+] Interface is improved a bit...

Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/20257561/ASUS_A8H_upd_10mar2007.zip.html

Core2Duo patch for NHC pre-release 04 is required (new ACPI functions support)!
Get it at NHC's site:
http://www.pbus-167.com/nhc/nhc.htm#anchor_download

 

Hi,

The new controls are great. However, I have an issue when the computer goes into hibernation. In this case, when it comes out of hibernation it seems that the NHC settings are no longer in control of the ACPI, with the fan returning to the default settings (3200rpm). If I open the NHC acpi settings and just edit the "deactivate profile if CPU temperature is bellow or equals to" option on profile 1, then NHC starts controlling the fan speed again (even if I don't actually make any change, just open and press ok), otherwise it seems to be using the default. I have the "deactivate profile if CPU temperature is bellow or equals to" option set to 0. This doesn't seem to occur when using standby.

 

Update: it also happens when choosing Standby

 

Sounds nice! Will give it a try when I come home from work...

 

BTW, another thing that also happens in NHC and it probably isn't the config file fault is the following: when I chose the "Disable ACPI functionality in NHC" option, shouldn't the default settings be used and increase the fan RPM to the default 3200rpm? In my case the fan rpm do not change at all (ie, if I have the fan at 2500 rpm I was expecting that it shoud increase to 3200rpm)

 

Thx for your feedback!

Bugfixed version: http://rapidshare.com/files/20721815/ASUS_A8H_upd_12mar07.zip.html

--

nickie, by now NHC does not provide any tools to do this... In this case I've added "Hardware fan control is enabled if.." option. BIOS enables default fan control if temperature is over than that is given in the option. This mechanism works on BIOS level so it's safe to set some minimal fan speed (for exmaple, 105), set corresponding temperature using this option (I use 55 deg. for this speed), and close NHC at all. BIOS will set speed to 144 (or higher; it has speed levels according to temperature) if temperature will be over 55 deg.

 

Thanks NP_! Fantastic job!

 

So far so good! Thank you NP_!

 

Hi NP_,

Do you think you could just merge your file with the one posted here (and which I attach)? That would make a fantastic ACPI control file!

Best,