HP DV9000 Hard Drive Temperatures

Hey all,

I just recently received my pimped out DV9000 from HP. All options maxed (i.e. Duo-Core 7200, 2GB RAM, 512MB GeForce 7600, etc, etc). One option I'm concerned with is the Dual 100 GB 7200 hard drives I opted for. Both are Hitachi Travelstar 7K100 (HTS721010G9SA00) models. A PDF regarding specifications of this hard drive can be found here:

http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/916278D1A1CEB59B8625704B006D1F54/$file/7K100_SATA_spv2.1.pdf

The concern is the operating temperature of the drives. Drive C is continually running at 56 degrees Celsius, while Drive D is running at 43C. According to the PDF specifications above, the max this drive can operate at safely is 55C. That is the MAX at very low humidity. The higher the humidity, the lower the temp must be.

Obviously, this is a very big concern. I'm wondering if any other DV9000 owners are seeing this same issue? The programs I'm using for testing are:

HD Tune v2.53: http://www.hdtune.com
SpeedFan v4.32: http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Another thing to note is laptop placement. I also purchased the xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base for this laptop. The laptop sits loosely in the base, but is pretty flat against the actual stand. So, I elevated the computer above the stand using a few small plastic pegs to see if perhaps giving it more breathing room would make a difference. Nope. Same high temps.

Please check out the SpeedFan and HD Tune screen shots here:

http://www.mwmconsulting.biz/DV9000/HDTune.jpg
http://www.mwmconsulting.biz/DV9000/SpeedFan1.jpg
http://www.mwmconsulting.biz/DV9000/SpeedFan2.jpg

And also please reply if you have a DV9000 and are seeing this same issue. If this is a common thing (i.e. not specific to just my computer - a lemon??) then this baby is going back to HP.

Cheers.

- Seppo

 

7200rpm drives run hotter than 5400 or 4200 ones. I have a dv9000 with two 120gb 5400rpm drives, drive 1 runs between 45 and 50C and drive 2 is always 5-10C lower so yeah your experience is normal for me. Theyre both seagates and the highest acceptable temp for them is 55C. I usually use it on my lap and Im considering a laptop cooler.

 

Well, then we both have reason to be concerned. These drives are running much to hot to be performing well. And it's not even Summer yet. My home office tends to get quite warm during the Summer months, which won't bode well for these drives. But, that's really besides the point. These drives are not meant to run this hot, as stated in the manufacturer's spec sheet.

Do you think this is reason to return this laptop? I bought it to replace my ZD8000, and even in that Pentium 4 configuration the HD never reached critical temps. Basically, we're looking at having these HDs fry out sooner than later, probably jusssssssssssst after the warranty expires. Ugh.

 

hmmm perhaps we should see what others say and get examples of typical temps of 5400 and 7200 drives

 

I have a DV9030 with dual seagate 5400 100gb. Temps are a little bit lower on the C drive but I had run up to 56 or so. I had HP replace it just to find out that is the design of the laptop that helps build heat too. My D drive is now my C and the new replacement is my D. I now run a chiller to control the heat. I am running 48 and 36 respectively...

I just hope that the heat doesn't adversely affect the life of the drive. I have a 3 year no-fault warranty if it dies sooner though.

Rest assured, it is not just you.

--Mickey

 

Well, I thought I'd put the ol' DV9000 to yet another test. I kept SpeedFan running while I fired up Battlefield 2142.

The C drive reached a whopping 67C and the D drive a fiery 56C. Check out this screenshot:

http://www.mwmconsulting.biz/DV9000/SpeedFan3.jpg

I wasn't quick enough to snap the screen shot before temps cooled a bit, but I had SpeedFan email me when temps reached certain levels.

OUCH! 67C! That's SURE to fry the drive in no time at all.

I too have the 3 year no-fault warranty, but I'm not about to risk my data (even w/ backup) to a drive running that hot. I can hear the ball bearings crying for help now... Poor fellas.

I believe this baby has to go back to it's home in HP Land (aka China).



- Seppo

 

yeah 67C is way too much! I dont think mine has ever reached 60C

 

The highest I reached was 57c

 

I've hit 55 many times when gaming, it shouldn't be too big of a deal. The spec sheet may say 55 as a max but the drives should still last a good while around that temp. Backups should be routine anyways. One thing I have learned is that putting pegs under my laptop and lifting it further up actually raises my drive temperatures. I think it's because the fans actually run less with the laptop raised. After playing Company of Heroes though for a good 2 hours my drive was sitting around 55, 56 degrees. I think thats fine. It'll cool down to 45-46 in 15 minutes.

 

I have the hitachi HTS721010G9AT00, mine is idling at 38C at the moment, but it reaches 50-55C when ripping DVD`s.

regards.

John.

 

If 55C was my Max I would be less worried, but even touching 60C (let alone going up to 67C) is a disaster waiting to happen. Backups are nice, but even then a failed hard drive can really ruin one's day.

More readings

Upon firing up my comp after it being off all night, the temps are as follows:

C Drive: 27C
D Drive: 25C

After 25 Mins of just letting the comp run idle (i.e. no user activities), the temps are:

C Drive: 49C (and rising)
D Drive: 36C (steady)

So basically 50C for the main drive when the computer is not even working. Ugh.

I'm assuming all those who replied have DV9000 computers as well?

- Seppo

 

Mines a dv9000t, bios version f.16. Check what yours is running, from what I've read it seems that f.16 keeps the fans on much more often. Also, like I said, my hard drive stay cooler if I do NOT prop up the notebook any higher then it was designed to be.

 

Yep, just checked. My DV9000 is running Bios version F.16.

As for setup, I have the xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base. The computer is now sitting flat on it, but temperatures are still way above optimal performance temperatures.

- Sep

 

have you tried changing the power saving of your drive with the hitachi Feature Tool.

by default it is set halfway between min and max.

yours might be set to min?

download from the link below.

also you could try the drive fitness test from the same link.

http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm?linkto=QL

regards.

John.

 

Tinderbox...

Thanks very much for the ideas and links to the Hitachi Tools.

I ran the Drive Fitness Test first. I did the Advanced test which really tested the drive quite vigorously. But, it all came back fine. Drive test was successful and no errors reported.

Next I fired up the Feature Tool app. I looked at all the settings and they are set correctly. The setting you mentioned (power saving) was set right smack dab in the middle (between power save and performance).

Also on that Feature Tool app is a temperature monitor. Within this feature you can perform a Temperature Test. Basically, it launches a random seek test on the drive while showing and updating the temperature change every 30 seconds. I've been running it for about 20 minutes now and the temp has gone from 40C to 57C. Not good, especially when in the tool itself is says to make sure the disk is operating within the limits (10C to 60C). I bet it would be higher by now, but today is a rather cool (and rainy) day and so the room temp is not warm/hot.

Basically, I think that this slim laptop design is not condusive to 7200rpm drives (at least these Hitachi drives). The others who have replied seem to have 5400rpm drives, and so their temps are not above 60C (which is expected of a slower rotating drive).

I'd like to hear from someone w/ a DV9000 that has one (or two) 7200rpm Hitachi drives.

Anyone, anyone? Bueller, Bueller?

- Seppo

P.S. I should note that I also have a HP ZD8000 comp w/ a 80GB Hitachi 5400rpm drive. I checked out it's temps and they remain quite low while the comp is idle (around 40C). I think the temps never get hot in that comp b/c it has three fans that are not afraid to kick on every 20-30 seconds or so.

 

I'm running a 7200rpm Hitachi drive in mine and as I said I max out at a high temp of 55C even after hours of gaming. I have never seen it move past this point. Under normal use I sit between 45 and 50c. My Hitachi has all the defaults set in terms of drive performance. My second drive bay has the 5400 rpm drive that came with the machine in it and it stays real low, around 35-40c. Bay 2 has always been cooler though (for me).

 

Hey Infinus. What are the other specs of your DV9000? Are you running a Duo Core T7200 chip? What about video card? 256 or 512MB GeForce 7600? RAM = ? Etc.

Also, what is the room temp like where you use the comp? Cool, normal, warm, hot? Just curious.

I should note my comp specs:

T7200 Duo Core
2GB DDR2 RAM (2Dimm)
Dual Hitachi 100GB 7200rpm drives.
LightScribe Super Multi 8x DVD+/-RW w/DL
256MB GeForce Go 7600
17" WSXGA+BrightViewWidescreen 1680x1050
High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

and finally...

xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base

Thx.

- Sep

 

My setup:

T7200 Duo Core
2GB DDR2 RAM (2Dimm)
Hitachi 100GB 7200rpm drive
Western Digital 120GB 5400rpm drive
LightScribe Super Multi 8x DVD+/-RW w/DL
512MB GeForce Go 7600
17" Ultra BrightView Widescreen
High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Intel A/B/G wireless + bluetooth

No expansion base.

Room temp varies from 70 to 75.

 

Given that Bay 2 is generally cooler, has anyone tried moving their primary drive to Bay 2 (even if they only have 1 drive)? Will the system boot like this if you mess around with the software settings?

 

I have a 100GB 7200rpm drive in bay#1 and a 160GB 5400rpm drive in bay#2. I added the 2nd drive.

After reading this thread, I decided to check my temps. They were 58/40 degrees for bays 1 & 2 respectively.

Since bay#1 seemed high, I opened performance monitor to see what was running on the HD. The obvious heavy user was Windows Indexer. I opened the Indexer control panel and reset the index location to one of the partitions on the bay#2 drive.

After restarting and allowing temps to normalize for an hour, I just checked the temps again.
Bay #1 dropped 6 degrees to 52
Bay #2 rose 4 degrees to 44

This is in NO WAY scientific, however the indexing was using the HD a lot. I removed a heavy HD user from the hotter drive. How much it helped... I don't know, but I do feel more confident in better balanced temps and drive usage.

 

I really don't think my drives are running too hot but I can't get either app to read the drive temps. My core temps are 46 and 49 at idle. Sure wish i knew what the drive temps are...
Jim

 

Try Notebook Hardware Control, which is good for a whole host of other reasons too. That's what I'm using.

 

Wow even that program will not read the hard drive temps. All the options are grayed out...

Jim

 

tried speedfan? it reads my dv9000 drives fine

 

I've tried HD Tune v2.53, SpeedFan v4.32, and Notebook Hardware Control with no luck. All the programs have the hard drive temp option grayed out. BTW I'm running Vista Ultimate if that means anything.
Hard drive #1 is: Fujitsu MHW2120BH 120gig
Hard drive #2 is: Seagate ST910082 4AS 100gig
BIOS Ver F.28 02/08/07

Jim

 

Try everest.

 

Everest didn't work either.

 

I just swapped drives manekineko, but it was of no help unfortunately. I'm running the Hitachi Feature Tool built specifically for their drives ( http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#FeatureTool) to monitor the HD temp. Basically, it does a non-stop random seek test while displaying the temp. It's a cool night, and already (after 20 mins) the HD is up to 60 degrees Celsius. TOO HOT!

I like your idea blahblahblah, but I don't think the indexer really has all that much to do with the high temps, at least in my case. The Hitachi Feature Tool runs off a bootable CD, and never loads Windows. It's a shell program, so only the basics are loaded to run the tests.

Furthermore, I called Costco support (where I bought my DV9000) and spoke to them about it. Nice people, but hopeless. They transferred me to the local HP support team (i.e. Not India ... but Idaho) and that guy was just as hopeless.

He says, "Well, we can't guarantee that the third party software you're running is accurately reporting the HD temps."

I say, "Ummm, it's Hitachi's own tool. I think it would be accurate."

He says, "Well, we can't be sure."

Sigh...

I think it's time to return this bad boy. Perhaps I just got a lemon..??

Would anyone like to make a suggestion as to a different but comparable computer I should look at? Price/Features = The Same...

--------------------------

As for your problem RdKryton, perhaps your drives are not SMART enabled...???

 

Actually, my idea was to physically move the single drive from bay 1 to bay 2, and then to somehow set the laptop to boot from that drive. Users have reported that bay 2 is considerably (> 10 degrees C I think) cooler. Not sure if it's possible to boot Vista from a secondary channel though without a drive installed on the primary channel. This is a pretty unusual idea, so I can't find any precedent on Google for it really.

 

I see, I see. That is a good idea manekineko, however not sure if it's possible, as the drive in bay 2 is the "slave" drive, and the drive in bay 1 is the "master" drive. I guess googling "boot from slave drive" might provide some answers...???

 

I have the DV9000t and my temps are just fine atm. I use a cooler but my HD temp is 46c with skype running with video for it and a few other programs. ACPI is 56c though which from what Ive read is the motherboard. Core 1 and 2 are 38/40c respectively. I use a seagate 100g 7200 HD.

 

Well, I looked all throughout my DV9000's BIOS but couldn't find a way to boot from the drive in the 2nd bay. I even googled it but still found no way of doing this.

Does anyone know how one could boot from the 2nd drive in the DV9000?

 

um dont they have a boot sequence thingy where u can choose either by letter or by drive?

 

Well, you can hit the ESC key right when the computer starts, and that takes you to a Boot Screen. But it only gives you the choices of:

1) CD-Rom
2) Notebook Hard Drive

Not WHICH Hard Drive tho.

 

hmm and in the BIOS itself there is no option? i remember there was one where u can choose USB drive and LAN and those kinds of things

 

Yes...those options exist. But you can't choose WHICH HD to boot from. Only "Notebook Hard Drive".

 

hmm ok

so what OS do u have in the drives? maybe u can make it so the boot manager gives u the choice

 

Have you actually tried swapping the disks? The dv9000 uses SATA, which has no concept of master/slave drives. Every drive is a master on it's own channel.

I'm laptopless ATM so I can't try it myself

 

No Dice. I just tried it for the hell of it. "No operating system found"

 

yup just checked, no option to choose which drive. the only way i figure would be to use a boot manager like the one in XP or vista which tells NTLDR or whatever where to look for an OS

 

How do I check bios version in my Pavillion 9008dv ?

 

when u turn ur laptop on press f2 in the HP logo screen. that takes u into the bios where u will find the version

in windows i think u can see it if u download and run everest. it shud be in the motherboard section

alternatively download the latest bios from HP and when u run the setup just before it flashes it will tell u the current bios and ask if u want to upgrade to the newer one

 

I also have a HPDV9000 purchased at Costco. It's a DV 9033cl to be exact. It was pre-loaded with XP at purchase and came with:

Core 2 Duo T5000
2 x 100GB 5400 RPM drives (st9100824as)
F.11 Bios

One of the 2 drives is always running VERY HOT. It ranges between 58 and 65 C while the other runs cool at usually around 43 C. I installed Vista about 5 months ago and the OS periodically shuts down due to high heat safeguard when I'm doing more intensive processing. It didn't seem to have the same problems with XP (it never shut down unexpectedly).

The heat values come from NHC (Notebook hardware Control) which seems to run fine under Vista. I've tried elevating the feet of the notebook so that there's more air flow under the unit. It seemed to help a little but not enough.

My speculation is that due to poor case design the hot drive is not receiving sufficient air flow from the fan and that it also may be closer to the CPU. Vista seems to be more demanding on the unit and has made the issue more prominent.

Given that I haven't seen any successful solutions to this problem on this forum or elsewhere i will try to return it to Costco beofre the drive dies. Wish me luck as I'm beyond the 6 mth mark.

Grant.

 

Drive bay 2 runs much cooler then drive bay 1. If you have 2 hard drives, simply swap your drives around. Download something like Ubuntu and install a small 1 gig linux install onto the drive you moved into your first drive location. When ubuntu installs it will set up the GRUB loader for Linux to swap hard drive ID's when loading Windows. Then you'll be able to boot windows from your second drive bay and it will still think it's hard drive number one. I've done this on my machine and now my drive temps are very nice. Drive bay 1 which is mostly idle sits around 45 degrees, and drive bay 2 which is running windows sits around 40 degrees. Drive bay 2 is much cooler then drive bay 1.

 

interesting concept. I'll give it a try.

 

Had I known of this work around I would have tried it on the two 9500's I sent back for over heating HD's. The key question is; why hasn't HP reconfigured the hard drive set up? My guess is, that the 9500 when built as designed works fine since most machines are Ok. Machines with a less then perfect build have problems.

 

Wow, that's fascinating. Would you be able to manage a similar trick with only 1 drive? Maybe from a bootable CD or USB stick? Or would that not be possible because there isn't a second hard drive ID with which to swap?

 

No, that won't work. The idea here is to move the drive activity to the drive in the other bay, where it will be away from the heat of the other components. You only have one drive, so you cannot move the activity to the other (non-existent) disk.

 

i just upgraded my dv9500's main hard drive (120gb 5400rpm) with a hitachi 200gb 7200rpm. The primary hard drive temp is always around 50+ while drive 2 is always around 42. What i am really concerned about is "Temp 1" which is always in the high 50's all the way to low 60's :S should i be worried? is this normal in the dv9500 series? by the way, cores 1 and 2 are always around 40...

will a notebook chillpad really make a considerable temperature difference?

//Alex//

 

Seems like HP has hard coded into the BIOS that there must be a hard drive in the primary hard drive bay. When I have it in the secondary, with nothing in the primary, grub can't even seem to see the hard disk at all.