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    X61 Palmrest (hot) and Fan (always on)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by nonpareil, Jul 25, 2007.

  1. nonpareil

    nonpareil Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just received my ThinkPad after a two month wait (read all about it in the other thread) -- anyway, I was wondering if others have experienced the same problems I have straight out of the box.

    First, the palmrest got very warm/hot within about 20 minutes of use. Not singing my palm/wrists hot, but warm enough that I could not comfortably leave my hands on the keyboard. Anyone else experience this?

    Second, the fan/exhaust on the unit seems like it's always on. I have an X31 and an X60, and the fans for these units only really kick in occasionally, and then turn off again pretty promptly. Additionally, the fan of the X61 emits a slightly odd odor - kind of like burning resistors/circuitry (of which I have smelled very many in the lab).

    Functionally, the computer runs very well, though Vista will take some getting used to. But these issues seemed like cause for concern, and I wanted to know if others had them or if I was just being nitpicky. Thanks in advance.
     
    nonpareil, Jul 25, 2007
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  2. baddogboxer

    baddogboxer Notebook Deity

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    This is a very generic response because I don't have that computer. Do you know your CPU usage? If not press "Ctrl+Alt+Del" click the performance tab what is CPU say, mine says between 2% and 10% with Explorer open. If yours is high that causes heat, so if something is running in background. Go to Proesses and try and find.

    The clue you have a problem is fans always on. You should get some software like Notebook Hardware Control (free) to find out CPU and HDD temps if at idle CPU should be <130F HDD<125 max temp for CPU before damage a little over 200F HDD 131.
     
    baddogboxer, Jul 25, 2007
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  3. unhooked

    unhooked Notebook Deity

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    The hot right palm rests seems to be unavoidable with the X61/X61s design.
     
    unhooked, Jul 25, 2007
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  4. unhooked

    unhooked Notebook Deity

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    According to this tests, this is how the wireless cards stack up thermally (the source of palmrest heat).
    The card sits right under the right palm rest, without much room to spare.

    Intel 4965 agn :--------------- 53 degrees (Max)
    TP Atheros abg:--------------- 58.5 degrees (Max)
    Intel 3945 abg :--------------- 60 degrees (Max)
    TP Atheros abgn :------------- 63.4 degrees (Max)
     
    unhooked, Jul 25, 2007
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  5. orangelounge

    orangelounge Notebook Consultant

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    ^^

    Yes, what wireless card do you have?
     
    orangelounge, Jul 25, 2007
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  6. baddogboxer

    baddogboxer Notebook Deity

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    As a test can disable the WI-Fi and see how that affects heat and fans running all the time.
     
    baddogboxer, Jul 25, 2007
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  7. jor

    jor Notebook Evangelist

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    I heard people take their wireless card out and use usb adapters...

    My x60s (intel card) doesn't get hot, it's warm but not uncomfortable hot.

    When it comes to ultraportable, heat is always a problem.
     
    jor, Jul 26, 2007
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