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    Dell XPS 17 fan noise solved by BIOS/driver update

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Blackbirdie, Jun 16, 2011.

  1. Blackbirdie

    Blackbirdie Newbie

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    Some good news about fan noise (or rather lack of it):

    I bought a L702x (2630QM core i7, 3D screen, BIOS A08) from Dell Outlet UK and it arrived last week.

    When I put the laptop on suspend and then resumed the next day, I noticed the fan stayed on continuously even when all apps were closed and the CPU was idling at 0%. Also, running the CPU with a light load of 10-15% produced a loud-ish fan noise. Very annoying, and this had not happened during my previous tests. After reading various online forums (including this one), I found other users had similar problems with the erratic fan operation.

    I updated the GT555M (3D) video driver to the recommended one using the Dell update driver utility they supply on the laptop. This driver only came out on Monday (13th June 2011) and is version 8.17.12.6830, A08. After installing, it fixed the problem of the fan being on when the laptop was idle, but not the loud fan noise when the CPU was under moderate loads (10-15%). I then changed the power plan, selecting cooling = passive while on mains power, but still no improvement.

    In the end I updated the BIOS from A08 to A10. This is very straightforward and can be done from within Windows. Just to be sure and in case the order mattered, I then re-installed the graphics driver above.

    Result: the laptop now sounds completely different! The loud noise is gone at 10-15% CPU. The fan is constantly on, but it now sounds quiet and can hardly be heard. When the CPU is idling the fan is off for 90% of the time and when it's on, it's at a very quiet level.

    Problem solved!
     
    Blackbirdie, Jun 16, 2011
    #1
  2. Julianinho

    Julianinho Notebook Geek

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    Hi,

    I have the A10 bios and I download the latest graphics driver for dell:8.17.12.6830.

    I also put my battery "power plan/ passive" but I still have the same problem of fan, whith the driver dell the fan is less noisy than the driver nvidia but not many, there is not much difference.
     
    Julianinho, Jun 17, 2011
    #2