HP Compaq 6715b fan

I bought this notebook in the UK last month and it was a great machine. Only one problem - the fan was too noisy. The fan would fire even when i moved the mouse over the start button. Also when working on a document in Word, the fan would start noisily spinning every few minutes even if I left the machine idle. I exchanged the machine but the second one I got had exactly the same problem.

HP had never heard of this problem (only with earlier batches of the 6710 were they aware of a fan problem). They suggested both machines I got could have been from a bad batch because I had used the same retailer. There were different hard discs in each one I got though, so I'm not 100% convinced both were from the same batch.

Does anyone else have this problem with a noisy fan? I know earlier versions of the 6710 had a noise problem but I've not heard of the 6715 also having it. I'm considering getting another 6715 from a different retailer, as HP advise, but only if I know I was unlucky with the first 2 I got. Wish I could find a retailer where I could try another machine out before buying again, but have not been lucky so far. Any experiences with the 6715b fan would be welcomed!

 

Have you try updating the BIOS?

 

HP technical support did not suggest this, and I've read on the official HP forum several people have had severe problems booting again after updating the bios on this model, so I'd be reluctant to try that. Given the fan is sometimes quiet in windows (both machines were Vista Business), but fires on periodically could it still be a BIOS issue?

 

Hmmm I would try monitoring the CPU temp, try using Notebook Hardware control, have a look at the temp.

 

Sadly I don't currently have the machine as I returned it faulty (the retailer confirmed that both machines were faulty when I sent them back). I noticed that about 40-45% of the RAM was being used when I had the machine but I don't think that statistic helps much. Perhaps the motherboard/AMD chip produce too much heat on this particular model, so it's a design issue rather than that I had 2 faulty machines?

 

Oh its AMD (how did i forget the 6715b is AMD based )...their CPUs do tend to run hotting than Intel ones... But still...

 

That's the thing - even if it's an AMD chip and runs a bit hotter than Intel should the fan fire on when I click on "start" or am just using Word? I was wondering if other users of this machine find it quiet when undertaking normal operations - word, web, etc.

 

You could always give the thinkpad R61 ago...

 

Thinkpad R61 is a great deal more in price, alas. Would you advise keeping away from AMD chips for laptops? I mean, am I likely to get this noise problem and shorter life due to heat on all AMD laptops around at the moment?

 

AMD runs hotter and provides worst battery life...I wouldn't say shorter life time...but the fan problem could well be related. What about the Intel based 6710b? (or is it 6720b? cant remember sorry )

 

The 6710b does look nice but it's an extra £250 and has a lower resolution screen. If I want the 6710b with the same resolution it's £500 more! I guess these Intel chips cost alot more than AMD.

 

wow...How much did you get the 6715b for? It might be better to get another and see what the fan is like in that...

Have a look at this... http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Dell_Latitude_D830_21470219/version.asp

The D830 is truely a brilliant notebook

 

Got the 6715b for about £430 as it comes with £100 cashback. I do wonder why the 6715 is so much cheaper than the other models in the 671x series, and HP are offering such large discounts on it. The dell one looks good but I've heard build quality is inferior to HP and I will be using the laptop on the move.

 

No no That Latitude line's build quality is definitely better than the 6715b Its has full magnesium alloy body. One of the top business notebooks available! The HP 8510p/w and the T61 are what is comparable to the D830, and those 2 are far more expensive due to their dedicated GPUs. I couldn't recommend the D830 anymore

 

Thanks for the recommendation! The specs don't look anything amazing for the price though: standard WXGA screen, and the hard disc isn't particularly large. It certainly cheaper than HP core duo business machines though! I'll have to give it some thought. What makes this more special than other machines in the same price region? Are the screen and keyboard any good?

 

T7300 2.0GHz is far faster than a 2.0GHz AMD...plus it runs cooler. And it comes with 9 cell battery and 3yrs warranty standard, all that for £659...thats pretty good to me

What makes it more special...one of the top business notebooks at a bargain price, far superior build to any similarly price machines. The keyboard is pretty good.

 

I have this laptop and i can tell you for a fact it does not run hotter an Intel, My friends 1.6 ghz intel core 2 duo runs at 60 degrees ideling and 90 under load. this runs at 23 idel 42 under load, im not sure what could be giving you problems, but if you are running notebook hardware control that could be it, i tried that once and it totaly screwed up fan control e.t.c