T400 vista 64 switchable graphics incompatible with Tpfancontrol when on intel integrated mode

Dear all,

I have been using the T400 for 3 weeks and I am absolutely in love with the machine.

Configuration -
It comes with intel p8600, switchable graphics. I also upgraded to 4GB memory, WD scorpio black 320GB and heavier T60 keyboard. It is a great machine. Given my previous intensive study/work experiences on thinkpads X24, T23, T30, T42, I can say T400 is certainly better than all of them in terms of build quality and screen quality.

Problem –
However there is one problem that bothers me with Tpfancontrol. I have 2 operating systems on my T400 - Vista 64-bit and Xp 32-bit.
1. This problem only occurs under Vista 64-bit when I choose the Energy saving mode with intel 4500 integrated graphics, Tpfancontrol will displays the following error "Warning: Can't read Status (possible conflict with other software)".
2. At the same time, Tpfancontrol cannot display any temperature or control the fan speed.
3. The problem is isolated only to vista 64 with intel integrated graphics. It does not occur for any of the following scenarios
a. If I switch to the discrete ATI 3470 immediate in vista 64. Tpfancontrol will work immediately
b. If I use windows xp 32-bit for either graphics modes (through bios setup)

Failed efforts -
1. I have played with various versions of Tpfancontrol 0.41, 0.42, 0.50, 0.51 (alpha/beta) and changed all parameters in TPFanControl.ini. But the problem still exists.
2. The problem cannot be fixed by using different versions of Power Manager or Graphics driver (8.520.4.3000 [8/22/2008] or 8.520.4.400 [9/19/2008])

Does anyone also experience this problem or have any idea how to fix it

 

tpfancontrol would would give the same error with notebook hardware control, and i dont think anyone ever found a fix. i dont know what could be doing it there.

Do you even need tpfancontrol with the t400? That program was made because the t43 had terrible heat and fan noise problems. The p8600 runs very cool, and i wasnt aware of fan noise problems with the t400.

 

The reason why I want to use Tpfancontrol with T400 is because I want to improve battery hours. After switching to integrated graphics and applying undervolting, p8600 runs very cool (27~32 degree). However the fan still comes on very frequently in battery mode. There is a fan speed setting in Power Manager but it doesnt minimize fan usage. So I tried to use Tpfancontrol to totally stop fan from turning on.

 

On my R61i, I found the fan cycling very annoying. My fan never turns on until around 50C, and when it does, the fan will turn on at 45C, off at 40C, etc. I found the numbers inconsistent, and I rely on this awesome program to calm my nerves by shutting the fan off forever.

Hopefully the author will update this program, although somehow I doubt it. As for the problem, I'm thinking that the program is reading the wrong area, and the ATI happens to be in the area that the program can read, and when the ATI is off, that area suddenly disappears. But that doesn't account as to why it can't read the other temps...

 

ShinyFalcon, thanks for the analysis. I changed the following settings in the TPFanControl.ini in the program directory (C:\Program Files\TPFanControl\). But the problem still does NOT go away.

IgnoreSensors=cpu,aps,pcm,gpu,no5,x7d,bat,x7f,bus,pci,pwr,xc3

the author wrote the following as the explanation for this setting
// --------------------------------------------------------
// ENGL: list (separated by comma) of sensors to ignore when
// determining the max. temperature. (Use lower case,
// e.g "IgnoreSensors=pci,aps")


ANY THOUGHTS?

 

come on, there must be another T400/T500 user with intel integrated graphics on vista... Anyone figured out the problem? I think disabling the fan can save 0.2a*5V = 1W... Isn't that 30min of battery power?

 

v0.55 of TPFanControl supports switchable graphics

http://TPFanControl.com

 

Hi there, I don't mean to revive an old thread but did you get this resolved?

Can you turn off the fan on the t400 with tpfancontrol?

 

I think the proper way to put it is:

TPFancontrol is incompatible with new Thinkpads.

 

Not true.

TPFC 0.62 works perfectly with my W500, as well as my friend's W500 purchased just 3 weeks ago, both running Vista x64 Ultimate.

I'm sure you can turn the fan off with the latest version on your T400.