Bios update and consequent fan problem-Ideas sought

My DV9205 Came with BIOS f.28. For the first eight months, the fan ran intermittently, perhaps once every five minutes and for a short cycle. This was acceptable, and the computer was very quiet in between.

As per HP advice, I updated the BIOS to the latest version, F3D. After doing so, the fan now runs at mid speed continuously, and never stops. This is unacceptable. I much preferred the cycling with the periods of near complete silence in between.

I called HP and asked them what to do. They recommended a system restore to a time before updating the BIOS (to return to the earlier version). This was attempted several times, but was never successful. I think it will not accept the restore because the BIOS was changed. HP was uncertain why it would not restore.

In any event, they next suggested a full system recovery, meaning installing the system recovery DVD, which I have.

However, I am troubled. I might be willing to give this a go, but it seems possible that the BIOS is not contained the disk, hence I might still end up with the new BIOS and thus cause much heartache for nothing.

I would simply like my fan to run intermittently, the way it did with the old BIOS version. Could someone please provide me with some direction?

 

The disc does not contain BIOS or flash your BIOS. In order to 'downgrade,' you need to locate the original installer for F.28.

 

GMM22,

As Greg has pointed out, you will need to hunt down the old BIOS installer. Only a downgrade of BIOS will "fix" the fan.

However, downgrading is probably not a good idea. HP has MEGA problems with its AMD/Broadcom based machines which are failing like flies and will require motherboard replacement. Your laptop is in fact one of the affected model.

The theory is that HP has inadequate heat management design which result in progressive thermal damage throughout the motherboard and the first component to fail is the wireless. As a stop gap, HP released a critical BIOS update to its entire AMD based machine to make the fan runs constantly. At the same time HP also removed all older versions of the BIOS to prevent people from downgrading.

You can read the whole saga here:

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/...readId=1136440
(Note this thread has over 600 posts and take a long time to load !!)

and here:

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1179013

IMHO This is a stupid stop gap idea against a serious design fault. If you are really keen you can try speedfan (Google it) to control or stop the fan. Caveat Emptor, you will risk damaging your motherboard by doing so.

 

Thanks for the replies. I had the motherboard replaced just recently. I was simply trying to keep the post and question simple without introduing too much detail. After downloading the new BIOS and discovering the fan problem, I had contacted HP, and a sympathetic rep recommended the motherboard change for safety.

Incredibly, I have to send the computer back again because the NVIDIA will not boot, with the notice "NVIDIA media test failure, check cable" which I did, unsuccessfully. I have included a note again to have the BIOS reverted to get my old fan control back, but perhaps they will ignore it again.

It is all very frustrating, since I bought this computer precisely because it was very quiet most of the time.

Since I have the new motherboard, does that make the fan controller link you recommended any safer? Or are there any new considerations? Do you think they will eventually come up with a new BIOS version that has intermittent fan control?

Unfortunately, your link is not working. If you find time, I would be very grateful if you could provide one that will work. Thank you.

 

I have to disagree with you. All of my older versions of the BIOS are there for the dv2740se and THERE ARE NO UPDATES MENTIONING FAN SPEED. The only BIOS listed as critical is the one I already had when my laptop came and the fan never stays on. It's quiet and intermittent.

If you go to HP's website and TYPE IN your specific model, you should be able to click on the list of software and drivers. When you go there, scroll to BIOS and click on "versions" - the older version should be there. You didn't specify the last to letters of your model - otherwise I would have done it for you. The one I did look at didn't have any older BIOS versions listed - so maybe this is more of an issue with your model.

I would keep in mind that certain graphics cards run hotter, which also might be a contributing factor. I've heard the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS and GT run MUCH hotter. That could also be a contributing factor.

Keep in mind that just because there is an issue doesn't mean ALL AMD/Broadcom based machines are BOUND to fail. So dramatic! If you recall, the XBox 360 had a huge failure rate due to heating issues, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM FAILED.

Stop being so negative and let me enjoy my laptop!!!

PS - If your laptop is the DV9205TX model, then F.28 is still there:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3348219&os=2093&lang=en

IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER VERSION, I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND MESSING WITH THE BIOS - and if you say they changed the motherboard, the BIOS may be different entirely.

By the way - what condition did you get your laptop back after you sent it to have the MB replaced? Did HP scratch it all up?

 

It is a DV9205CA. On HP's website, a search of software and drivers using this product code displays only F3D and not F.28. I have to do something, as the constant fan with F.3D is intolerable.

The computer came back in the same condition as I sent it, and indeed, I was worried about scratching or manhandling. I was smart enough to keep the protective plastic sheet that covered the top when it was originally packaged, and I used this when returning.

Mind you, the computer came back with an obvious problem that should have been spotted, with the NVIDIA not working.

 

I have a DV9310CA, I updated to F.3D last year (December) It run very good and cooler than before, also I do not have any problems at all since I got it.

 

Jong81,

Perhaps your notebook dv2740se has got the absolute latest motherboard which does not require the fan to run constantly. When did you buy it?

Only a HP insider can tell you categorily what proportion of AMD/Broadcom machines do not need the fan to run constantly. What I do know is a sigficiantly number of machines DV6000 series, DV9000 series and DV2000 series, F-Series (including my own F572AU) have the critical BIOS fix listed and HP have removed all older version of BIOS. An example of HP removing all older BIOS. There used to be at least 2 older versions for the F572AU posted.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3435874&os=2093&lang=en

If you browse the HP forums, you will also see heaps of people complaining about the constantly running and no fixes available (unless one is prepared to risk frying the motherboard.

 

I bought it like two weeks ago and there was just a BIOS update release in January, but it's noted as being routine and just fixes issues with the brazilian keyboard?

 

Jong81,

I think you are the luckly one who probably got the latest version of the motherboard which have the overheating issues fixed once and for all. I bought mine F-series in Nov-07 and it was running really hot with the old BIOS (intermittent fan).

With the new BIOS the machine a lot cooler but I have to trade that off noise and lower battery life. I actually wanted my money back from HP but it was too late by the time I discovered the horror thread on the HP forum. It was past the store return policy.

 

How can you tell if it is running hot?

Would it be safe to run BIOS f.28 (which the computer came with) now that I have had the motherboard replaced? From a post earlier, it appears this BIOS is available, but listed under another DV9205.

 

After you let your laptop runs for an hour or so, does the bottom of the laptop (near the vent) feel hot to the touch? Before the BIOS update, my F572AU was running hot to the touch after an hour. After the BIOS update (with the fan running constantly), it is a lot cooler and no longer hot to the touch. A more scientific way might be to use CoreTemp to measure your CPU temperature as well (Google coretemp).

BIOS update is dangerous. I suggest you probably don't want to touch it as you no longer know whether the old BIOS will work 100% on your new motherboard. Who knows what HP has done to the motherboard. You can try speedfan (a softwware utility- Google it) to control the fan if you are really keen.

 

I went to the Speedfan website. It looks interesting. Does anyone reading this thread use it? If so, are the results good?

 

I used to use Speedfan on a ABIT IS7 motherboard for Desktop. It worked really well. I stopped using SpeedFan after I moved a new ABIT motherboard which has uGuru (hardware monitoring and control).

Some people in the HP forum has reported that SpeedFan works fine on HP laptop. Best way might be to create a restore point. Install SpeedFan. Back out if it does not work on your machine.

 

I don't know - I have the November 20th, 2007 BIOS version F.13. That would mean that they would have had to immediately started replacing the motherboards.

F-series? What do you mean?

 

Anecdotal evidence. As you have mentioned your laptop is running cool to the touch. I would suspect you have probably got a newer motherboard design which has addressed the heat management issue. This is probably backup by the fact that there is no BIOS update which makes the fan runs constantly on your model.

HP makes a number of laptop series to suit different consumer groups in different countries. The consumer entertainment series are the DV2000, DV6000, Dv9000 and the F-Series. I suspect they are all using more or less the same motherboard design with varying options like card reader, web cam, IEEE1394, Casing added or deleted.

 

Actually, when I go to HP, the dv2000 series is listed under travel/mobility. It's considered a "thin and light" notebook PC. What does coretemp list your CPUs at? What did it list them at before the BIOS upgrade?

 

I did not run coretemp before the BIOS update so I only have data after the BIOS update:

CPU is Turion X2 TL56. At Idle, one CPU is at 36C and the other one is around 29C. This is pretty cool (literally) but with the fan running constantly!

 

Oh okay - I get around the same readings, but with the fan running intermittently. And I was playing a 3D game yesterday for about an hour (plugged in, High Performance setting) ... Right after, I ran Coretemp - didn't get higher than maybe 42C and decreased quickly. Both cores stay around 27C to 34C when I'm just surfing or using media. I even watched an episode of "House" streaming from the FOX website full screen over WIFI and the temps didn't change.

I've read temps as high as 45C are fine. Flipfire had a listing somewhere.

Yeah - he wrote:

 

Your system behaviour is what should be the correct behaviour with good heat management design ie. acceptable temperature with intermittent fan.

Unfortunately I must have got one of the older design even the laptop was bought in Nov-07 which requires the fan to run constantly to get acceptable temperature. Bad luck Argghhhhh!

 

Jong, are you using this?

http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

I see Speedfan also has temperature monitoring. Is there an advantage of one over the other?

Why is it that computer manufacturers do not include temperature monitoring with software? I can find all kinds of diagnostic stuff on my computer that seems irrelevent and useless compared to something like temperature monitoring.

 

Yes - that's the one I used. Usually, if you load the BIOS, it will give you the temperature, but that's kinda hard to do when you're in Windows and have no way of instantly getting to the BIOS. It is really stupid though.

I hear Speedfan isn't as accurate at Coretemp (Flipfire said that).

But I realized something new today anyway. I ran a Virus Scan and there was no real slowdown in my computer while I did other things, however, that wonderfully low temp I had got as high as 60C, which supposedly is also fine. Someone mentioned (again - think it was Flipfire) that temps get as high as 65-70C when loading. I've had the computer 2-3 weeks and it's never gotten that hot - even when playing a game.

 

I have an LG-F1 Express ans i need to upgrade bios who can i preced with ???

 

Just thought I'd contribute a nice screenshot of SpeedFan monitoring my dv2000 on Balanced power setting after I had been surfing the net for about two hours:

[img=http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/702/templu7.th.jpg]

I think I can fry an egg on my keyboard.

 

I'm enjoying my notebook soooooo much more since the F.3D BIOS update. My keyboard and surrounding area is now practically room temp. Is the fan noise noticeable, yes but it's livable.

BTW - Here's my screenshot:


TO AVOID ANY FURTHER CONFUSION - Only use the BIOS updates HP specifically makes for your model.

 

I'm running a tx1304 and right now, just surfing, my cores are at 61 and 70 Celsius.

Should I be worried?

 

what program are you using to monitor the temps?

 

Gmm22,

Take a look at my thread….

Bios rollback….How?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=224286


The BIOS that xoul links to (sp37157) in post # 7…. I think this BIOS is also for your your machine….I’m new to this so can anyone confirm for certain that it is?

I haven’t used the BIOS so I don’t know if it’s 100% ok !

________________________________________
Sp37157 details…

VERSION: F.3B
DESCRIPTION:
This package contains the WinFlash utility and a BIOS image for the supported
notebook models and operating systems. The WinFlash utility is used to locally
flash the System BIOS (ROM) on notebooks operating in a Microsoft Windows or
Microsoft Windows Vista environment.

PURPOSE: Critical
SOFTPAQ NUMBER: sp37157
SUPERSEDES: sp36551

EFFECTIVE DATE: 09 October 2007
CATEGORY: BIOS
SSM SUPPORTED: YES

PRODUCT TYPE(S):
Notebooks

PRODUCT MODEL(S):
Compaq Presario V6000 Notebook PC
HP Pavilion dv6000 Notebook PC
HP Pavilion dv9000 Notebook PC

OPERATING SYSTEM(S):
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 32 Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64 Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

LANGUAGE(S):
US

FIXES:
- Fixes battery failure issue.

PREREQUISITES:
None
________________________________________



Flashing this BIOS would get rid of F.3D & the fan problem?…
Can you flash an older version of BIOS over a newer version?


Failing that is there not a way to get back to the old BIOS using the bak file (backup) that WinPhlash created when it flashes the new BIOS?

It must be usefull for something or whats the point of a backup file if you can’t use it?

 

I'm using Coretemp.

 

I have an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6 GHz (T5200). Will that the BIOS flash work for mine? I thought it was only for AMD processors.

 

TO AVOID ANY FURTHER CONFUSION - Only use the BIOS updates HP specifically makes for your model.