Fan noise on Studio 1558

Neither. The original had the integrated, replacement has ATI 4570. FWIW, the energy star rating turns off the back lit keyboard light a lot and according to Dell, no way to control it.

This is a new laptop rather than the refurb I purchased from the outlet (which was at a great price and was a solid performer). I was shocked Dell was so willing to exchange it for a new, better one. It may have been because I already had the motherboard swapped. FWIW, the Level 3 Dell tech I spoke with said it was a known issue. The main difference is how much quieter it is. The ATI card seems to darken everything IMO. I know I can adjust it, but haven't had time to mess with it yet. I'm still trying to get everything moved over to the new one.

Edit: The new one came with a completely different AC cable. The new one has an almost flat rectangular power brick versus the more blocky rectangular power brick. Model number is EA90PE-100.

 

The fan issue started to bother me; comes on for 30 seconds, then off for 1 minute; comes on for 30 seconds, off for about 1 minute, over and over, even while idling.

Chatted with Dell support. The agent said that they are expecting a BIOS update to fix this, but had no more details about it.

On my old EEE, someone created a program to manage the fan (eeectrl); you could control the setpoints for the fan through a simple INI file.

Any programmers working on this, like the program Diefer had for older Dells?

 

They just released an A05 bios update, but it doesn't affect the fan issue at all. Mine still cycles every thirty seconds. When did you talk to the dell rep? I hope he's referring to an A06 update, and not the A05 update released a week or two ago.

 

The rep confirmed that I had the A05 bios, and said that they were expecting a newer update to address the fan issue.

He basically also said not to hold my breath, since it might not be released before my return period expires (in 20 days).

 

I suppose that's somewhat encouraging that Dell has recognized the problem. I guess the new worry is if they alter the smc fan control to something even more annoying

 

Exhausting the options...

1. I8Kfan Dell Inspiron Inspiron/Latitude/Precision fan control
After following the instructions for x64 systems, the driver gives BSOD on my system every time.

2. "Undervolting" http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...arket-upgrades/235824-undervolting-guide.html
A cool idea, but the required program hasn't been updated to work with Core i processors; if RMClock ever works with our processors, then "undervolting" could reduce our cpu temps by about 10*, which would make the fans much less active.

3. SpeedFan SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer
Speedfan has been recently updated, but doesn't work to control the fans on the 1558. I tried the latest beta, and gave all the debug info to the developer, hoping that he looks at it and can incorporate more Dell support.

4. RivaTuner RivaTuner
Recognizes the ATI chip, but doesn't know how to change the fan.

5. ACPI editing http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...s/413380-control-fan-speed-registry-hack.html
Spent lots of time and learned a lot to try this out... basically reading the machine's ACPI power management table, and re-programming it to set the fan at different setpoints. moral_hazard on this board gave a good suggestion, but it didn't pan out.

I even read the ACPI data from the BIOS itself, and it's the same data that's in the registry. Here's the code, if someone wants to examine it and try things out:

Code:

    Scope (_TZ)
    {
        Name (ETMD, One)
        Name (THLD, 0x78)
        PowerResource (FN00, 0x00, 0x0000)
        {
            Method (_STA, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (VFN0)
            }

            Method (_ON, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Store (One, VFN0)
                If (LAnd (LAnd (ECON, ETMD), LAnd (ECON, LEqual (VFN1, Zero)))) {}
            }

            Method (_OFF, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Store (Zero, VFN0)
                If (LAnd (ECON, ETMD)) {}
            }
        }

        Device (FAN0)
        {
            Name (_HID, EisaId ("PNP0C0B"))
            Name (_UID, Zero)
            Name (_PR0, Package (0x01)
            {
                FN00
            })
        }

        PowerResource (FN01, 0x00, 0x0000)
        {
            Method (_STA, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (VFN1)
            }

            Method (_ON, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Store (One, VFN1)
                If (LAnd (ECON, ETMD)) {}
            }

            Method (_OFF, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Store (Zero, VFN1)
                If (LAnd (LAnd (ECON, ETMD), LAnd (ECON, VFN0))) {}
            }
        }

        Device (FAN1)
        {
            Name (_HID, EisaId ("PNP0C0B"))
            Name (_UID, One)
            Name (_PR0, Package (0x01)
            {
                FN01
            })
        }

        ThermalZone (TZ00)
        {
            Name (PTMP, 0x0BB8)
            Method (_SCP, 1, Serialized)
            {
                Store (Arg0, CTYP)
            }

            Method (_CRT, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (CRTT, 0x0A)))
            }

            Method (_AC0, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (ACTT, 0x0A)))
            }

            Method (_AC1, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (ACT1, 0x0A)))
            }

            Name (_AL0, Package (0x01)
            {
                FAN1
            })
            Name (_AL1, Package (0x01)
            {
                FAN0
            })
            Method (_TMP, 0, Serialized)
            {
                If (LEqual (DTSE, 0x02))
                {
                    Return (Add (0x0B10, Multiply (CRTT, 0x0A)))
                }

                If (LAnd (ECON, ETMD)) {}
                Return (0x0BB8)
            }
        }

        ThermalZone (TZ01)
        {
            Method (_AC0, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (ACTT, 0x0A)))
            }

            Method (_AC1, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (ACT1, 0x0A)))
            }

            Name (_AL0, Package (0x01)
            {
                FAN1
            })
            Name (_AL1, Package (0x01)
            {
                FAN0
            })
            Method (_CRT, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (CRTT, 0x0A)))
            }

            Method (_SCP, 1, Serialized)
            {
                Store (Arg0, CTYP)
            }

            Method (_TMP, 0, Serialized)
            {
                If (LAnd (DTSE, ETMD))
                {
                    If (LGreater (DTS2, DTS1))
                    {
                        Store (DTS2, Local0)
                    }
                    Else
                    {
                        Store (DTS1, Local0)
                    }

                    Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (Local0, 0x0A)))
                }

                If (LAnd (ECON, ETMD))
                {
                    Store (\_SB.PCI0.LPCB.EC0.DTS1, Local0)
                    If (And (Local0, 0x80))
                    {
                        Subtract (Local0, 0x0100, Local0)
                    }

                    Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (Local0, 0x0A)))
                }

                Return (0x0BB8)
            }

            Method (_PSL, 0, Serialized)
            {
                If (LEqual (TCNT, 0x08))
                {
                    Return (Package (0x08)
                    {
                        \_PR.CPU0, 
                        \_PR.CPU1, 
                        \_PR.CPU2, 
                        \_PR.CPU3, 
                        \_PR.CPU4, 
                        \_PR.CPU5, 
                        \_PR.CPU6, 
                        \_PR.CPU7
                    })
                }

                If (LEqual (TCNT, 0x04))
                {
                    Return (Package (0x04)
                    {
                        \_PR.CPU0, 
                        \_PR.CPU1, 
                        \_PR.CPU2, 
                        \_PR.CPU3
                    })
                }

                If (LEqual (TCNT, 0x02))
                {
                    Return (Package (0x02)
                    {
                        \_PR.CPU0, 
                        \_PR.CPU1
                    })
                }

                Return (Package (0x01)
                {
                    \_PR.CPU0
                })
            }

            Method (_PSV, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (Add (0x0AAC, Multiply (PSVT, 0x0A)))
            }

            Method (_TC1, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (TC1V)
            }

            Method (_TC2, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (TC2V)
            }

            Method (_TSP, 0, Serialized)
            {
                Return (TSPV)
            }
        }
    }

I'm no programmer, so it's greek to me. Perhaps this is where the answer could be? Modifying the ACPI tables in the registry has worked on several models of HP laptops, so it is possible that it could work for Dell too...

 

6. Revert to Bios A02
Fans still cycling on and off while CPU idles and temps fluctuate between 39 and 45.

 

A06 Bios is out. I installed it, no effect on the fan cycling issues. Here's hoping that A07 is the one that will address this finally!

 

I found a way to control how long the keyboard lights stay on...

Dell included a program called BacklitKB.exe in the program folder for Quickset. On my computer it's located here: C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\BacklitKB.exe

Run this program, and you'll find options to have the keyboard light turn off after 5, 15, 30 sec, 1, 5, 15 min, or Never.

Maybe the Dell rep doesn't know about this Dell program that they include on their machines?

Thomas
PS Yes, I hope the A07 bios addresses the fan cycling. Although, perhaps this is just the price of having the Core i processor. Looking at the Lenovo T510 as an alternative, it seems that the Lenovo fan stays on constantly, albeit at a low speed. Probably a constant quiet fan would bother me just as much as a cycling fan.

 

Got the replacement. Started Windows 7 on it, just to see what happens. Stayed quiet when accessing the web and running a few small apps. So, appears better on the first look.

 

Nope - same deal. Just enter BIOS setup (F2) on boot and leave it for a couple of minutes. The system does nothing and yet, the fan is spinning like crazy, making unbearable noise.

I think I want my money back this time.

 

Awesome! Thanks for that info!

 

Maybe interesting to see the heat difference between the Core i5 and Core i7

 

bsmojver, does your Dell replacement have the magic Energy Star sticker on it?

I have the same problem as you, MoInSTL, and Jottle. The replacement with the Energy Star seemed to work for a couple of people.

 

Hi all,

I just received my 1558 last week. Apparantly I have the same fan noise problem shared by all boardmates here. The high fan is on for 15 second ish every min.

Here's the brief spec of my machine:

i5-450m, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB 7200rpm Segate, Integrated graphics, Intel Centrino 6200 Advance-N, bluetooth, and 6 cell battery.

Everything runs well except that fan noise issue. I guess our conclusion is to wait for the newest bios release.

Thanks guys
MP3butt

 

To update:

First of all, although the initial spec sheet calls for a segate 500 GB 7200 rpm hard drive, I find that it's actually a Toshiba drive when I go to the bios... anyway,

I call Dell Tech support. Get the bios updated from A07 to A08. The fan noise is still there. So they offer to send me a new computer. The spec sheet should arrive in 2 hours. I'll see if anything has been changed. I will keep us posted regarding the process.

I matter-of-factly ask the support manager about what goes wrong. He says it's actually the hard drive which causes the headache. An overheating Toshiba hard drive? Perhaps there's a rule of thumb from now on: Stick with a 5400 rpm hard drive from now on to avoid heating issue.

MP3Butt

 

So I haven't made any progress on this issue. I'm on the latest bios (A09), and no changes to the fan. This really seems like a hardware issue as none of the bios updates so far have helped at all. It saddens me more that newer i5 studio's are doing this as well. I have an i3 that has the fan cycling issue, and I thought it was isolated to these processors. MP3BUTT, do you have any updates? I doubt it's the hard drive, as I have the 7200 seagate and still have the fan issue.

 

I just got a Studio 1558 with a 7200 rpm drive, running Bios A09 and as soon as I turn the laptop on, about 15 seconds later, fan turns on and stays on most of the time. Not too loud though, but still annoying.

I also think it may be the hard drive, along with some really bad design regarding heat dissipation. It's not normal for a laptop to report 45 to 47º (using HWmonitor) simply a minute after turning it on and doing nothing.

Is there anyone out there with a recent Studio 1558, a 5400 rpm hard drive and with the same fan issues?

 

Hey Jottle,

I finally got my replacement last week. Dell actually offered me some significant upgrades:

RAM: from 4 to 6GB
CPU: from 450m to 520m
Screen: 720p to 1080p
Graphics: Intel integreated to ATI 5470

Those are good. The fan issue still exists, but it changes in nature. Instead of being very quiet and getting very noisy all of a sudden, the new machine basically has the fan on all the time. The noise level is somewhere between the "quiet" mode and the "noisy" mode of the old machine. I also flushed the bios. No change.

I don't know what to do now. The machine is great otherwise. Should I just accept it or should I call Dell back?

MP3Butt

 

This may be how it is supposed to run. The fan should probably be on low, but is it more intolerable than the cycling? I'd doubt it. Can someone else chime in?

 

Nice observation. What are the laptop configurations you used for testing i5 and i7?

Does i7 Quad core also comes in Studio 1558?

 

I just got my studio 1558 yesterday. The fan had been running ever since I received it and I had them update the BIOS version I had on my computer but it didn't help. I told them that while I was chatting with the person but they told me that they believe it fixed the problem and there is no need for me to further pursue the problem. But I called dell and after being transferred to 4 different people they are sending me a new unit. Anyone who has received a new unit, was the problem fixed? Also, did you receive the same computer? They didn't try to give you anything less that what you originally ordered? And if the problem was not fixed do you think dell will let you upgrade your system? has anyone done that already?

 

I started out with refurbished i3 and integrated graphics from the Outlet and the fan revved up loudly every few seconds even when just surfing . I ended up getting mine replaced with a new i5 and ATI. All other specs were the same. I got a much better laptop than what I started out with a Outlet+coupon off price. So obviously no complaints. They did send someone out to swap out the motherboard first and when that didn't resolve it, they shipped me a new one. The new one came with the Energy Star sticker. The issue was resolved for me. Don't expect it to be silent as it needs to run the fan, but mine is normal now.

Hope this helps to ease your mind. Mine was exchanged in the first couple of weeks too, so you should be fine.

 

Yeah, I'm using one. The 1558 gets warm quickly and the touchpad becomes an "untouchable pad" because it is so burning hot I have to resort to a mouse. And the fan, it kicks in noisily more often than I would like - even when the system is under moderate load.

Well, my choice after all: i7 QM CPU plus ATI discrete GPU.

 

Interesting... i3 with integrated graphics and the fan revved up loudly... So, even with i3?

In my case, the Energy Star sticker doesn't seem to help the matter in any concrete way! Sigh!

 

Well well well, a new piece of information. Toshiba 7200rpm hard drive, eh?

 

Did a quick check: My 1558 has a device called "ST9500420AS ATA drive".
Googled that and got: ST9500420AS Seagate Momentus 7200 SATA 3Gb/s 500-GB Hard Drive.

My fan is on constantly.

Maybe 7200rpm vs. 5400rpm is the problem? Sigh!

 

I have in i3, integrated graphics, and seagate 7200rpm hard drive. I get the constant fan cycling on/off every 15 seconds. So I doubt it's the brand of HD. But like the previous poster said, it could be the speed of the hd...5400 vs 7200.

 

Your i3 detail is important. All 1558 systems with i3, i5 or i7 seem to have the same fan problem - not only the fan is noisy, it kicks in too often.

HDD speed as the source of the problem? I doubt that.

 

Guys, same problem here in Holland. Just received the 1558 (core i3, 1GB ATI card, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD) Fan intermittently turns on. No matter what applictions runs.
Has anyone solved this yet? I will contact the Dutch Dell Support soon.
Thanks,
Hessel

 

Dell just changed my motherboard, fan and heatsink. Absolutely no change whatsover, fan still turns on and always stays on at high rotation. My laptop has an energy star sticker btw.

 

Does this issue affect all 1558? I'm thinking about getting a 1558 (perhaps new) but I was wondering if it's a good purchase?!? This thread has so many pages (not a good sign)

 

I haven't have huge problems with fan noise on my machine but it has been more noisy than I expected when I ordered it. Sometimes and especially after running for or while without restarting the noise has become more annoying (and louder).

Tonight I replaced Mcafee with MSE. The computer is less noisy in idle state now. I recommend that everyone who have any problems with fan noise to first check the Task manager and view processes for all users and what is going on. Mcaffe proved to be a real CPU hog in my set-up.
Now this has become more than an OK Computer: fitter, cooler, less noisy, more productive.

 

I found something that dropped my cpu from the mid 50s to the low 40s. The fan noise went from annoying to soft, but still present.

Right click on desktop, select graphics properties.
Select "power" on the left side.
Change to "maximum battery life" on both battery and plugged in mode.

Mine was set to max performance on plugged in. It seems to change back to that on its own for some reason.

 

Though I don't use my dad's Studio 1558 that often, and it only has the i3, the fan noise isn't particularly annoying. Even Flash heavy stuff it is quiet..

 

I just wanted to update you all. I have the same fan issue on my 1558 (i3, integrated graphics). It cycles on high for 30 seconds, then runs on low for 1 min, then cycles back to high for 30 seconds over and over again even at idle. I went through the same runaround with the dell service techs as well. They came out and replaced my entire motherboard, fan, and heatsink. No change. The fan still cycles. Since they replaced essentially all the internal components related to heat generation, I think this is unfortunately just ill-thought out cooling design. E.g. it's probably as the engineers intended the laptop to run. Of course, they probably weren't thinking about how grating this noise would end up being. Unless there is a bios update which addresses this, I doubt getting a replacement laptop of the same model will help. I also highly doubt my replacement fan and motherboard were faulty. I think this is just how the cooling system is designed. Anyone else been able to eliminate this cycling issue without getting a replacement studio 1558?

 

Had they put a a little more thought they would have made it more varing speed that would not be as noticable rather than only full speed and off.
Very poor design to say the least.

 

Agreed. And it would be easy to fix with a bios update. I think dell isn't interested in addressing this at all unfortunately.

 

I have just got the Studio 1558 and experiencing the same problem as most of you.

2 Points.

There was a guy at the start of this thread who said he opened it up and removed some plastic that he believes was blocking the air getting to the fan. Has anyone else tried this?

Also alot of you seem to suggest its a hard drive issue, has anyone tried a new Hard drive?

 

I have read about others replacing the hard drive with no change in the fan behavior. Right now I'm in talks with a dell engineering liason in the official dell forums. He's sent in a request to dell engineering to see if there are any planned bios updates to address this fan issue on our studio 1558's. I'll post back when I hear more.

 

what sort of temperatures should a 1558 be running at
my i5 M430 2.27 is running at 64 deg C on the one core and 60deg C on the other with nothing using the processor at all...it seems pretty high?

the vents are all clear, the machine is a month old so no dust and the weather is cool (the room is at 18 deg C at the moment)

is this a normal temp?

 

For my I7 normal temp when browsing web is 46-52 C, room temp 25.

 

Yeah that seems kinda high. My dad's Studio 1558 with i3-330M idle is like 45 with 24C ambient. Climbs up to high 60s, low 70s under full load.

Maybe consider repasting yours?

 

So I called Dell as the machine is under waranty. the tech just left after replacing the fan - what a mission, he had to disassemble the entire machine.

The machine is running so much cooler now as I write this the one core is @ 43 degrees and the other 34 degrees. I could not visually see anything wrong with the fan, but the paste may have been the issue.

 

You mean the past between the CPU and the heatsink?
Did you see him apply thermal compound there? If yes you know what brand and how did he apply? Put a dot of thermal compound there or rubbed it on the CPU?

 

he did not put any there, but it seems that the paste that was there had squeezed out of place. The fan unit comes with paste in the correct locations straight from the factory. Not sure why there was an issue in the first place. But anyhow I am glad that it is now fixed.

I am sure that it any paste would work

 

I am sure toothpaste will not at least not for the long run. perhaps there was too much of it.