Acpi File

Hi community,

i use the Notebook Hardware Control Software on the latest Release.

Imho, it is a very good software. But i need an ACPI file to control the Fan.

Did anybody have such a ACPI File for a compal HEL80 Barebone?


Mfg Tim

 

You find one and you win the grand prize. Most people who own a Compal machine like myself want to control the fan, but the way Compal implemented ACPI to this laptop is very strange (or non-existent, I still don't have a definitive answer).

After all the threads and conversations on this issue, it's basically boiled down to this: If you want to fix the odd fan behavior, you'll need to don your programmer's cap and delve into the BIOS to fix it. I haven't heard of anyone on the forum attempting it yet. In fact the only person who has even touched their BIOS at all is Pitabred, and all he did was change the POST screen graphic using the program provided by Compal.

In case you didn't know, tinkering with your BIOS can permanently ruin your computer, and should not be attempted by anyone, unless they can take off the BIOS chip on their laptop and put a fresh one on when they screw it up. That's why no one else has tried it on this forum.

However, if any of you passive readers (you know who you are) are reading this and have managed to successfully fix their BIOS, please share your experience with us, as you'll help a lot of people on here.

 

oh so i dont have a realistic chance to control my fan ...

 

unfortunately no, it doesn't seem likely unless Speedfan (google it if you've never heard of it ) comes out with a new version that is compatible. Until then, it's a lost cause unless your taking a computer programming course and have learned assembly language... or whatever language the Compal BIOS is coded in.

 

c, c++ or java is no problem for me

A big question is, why notebook builders like compal, didnt implement a fan control. It wuold be sooooo nice ...

 

I think Compal uses the old APM model; its a system that gives the power controls to the BIOS and only limited access by the OS. ACPI gives near total control to both.
ACPI systems use their own language for implementing power handlers. APM uses the assembly code in the BIOS.

APM has been around for nearly as long as computers have, so APM is probably a helluva lot cheaper than ACPI. ACPI also requires all the parts in the computer to be compatible with it (so the OS can control their power). The motherboard on the HEL80/HGL30, the GPU, and any new intel chip that has come out in the last few years is compatible with ACPI, so why did Compal had to use APM was to shave probably 10 bucks for manufacturing (if that) off the laptop's final cost?

Though, it probably would have taken longer to program the BIOS with ACPI. I won't even pretend to know how long that would take, as I don't work in that field.

 

I doubt there s apm on the compals... it's a long dead protocol. Also my dmesg says there is no apm

In regard to the fan control, well, you'd indeed probably have to edit your bios...

I know about DSDT etc, but I doubt those are any use in this case?

Pitabread, any ideas?

Regards,

//m.

 

I guarantee you that Compal uses ACPI. All screen close events, etc. are ACPI events. As for fan control, I haven't researched it too much. I am not bothered by it yet. I'll poke into the BIOS when I have time again... I've been traveling for work, so I haven't had my personal laptop with me to play with.