hot M860TU HDD in Silent Mode

Just now, I turned my lappy into silent mode and the HDD temp rose up to a hellish 63C, I know that the limit of the HDD should be up to 60C only, so I'm thinking that this is not normal.

What does the laptop do when you put it in silent mode? Does it only undervolt the CPU, GPU, and lower the fan speeds?

Is it normal to experience higher HDD temps when set to this mode?

Lastly, are there ways to cool down the HDD without considering laptop coolers?

 

the fans turn off.

 

Totally off?

 

well, i'd think that it would turn off, but turn on at a certain temperature to about 600rpm

 

Does the fan system detect increase in temps in HDD also? Or just CPU and GPU?

 

The fans turn totally off.

Get a cooler, there have been many threads about the HDDs running warm on this notebook. That's a bit warmer than expected so either you're gaming/using heavy applications in silent mode (why?), don't have it in SATA mode, have a 7200rpm drive, or all of the above.

 

im idle in silent mode. i have set it in SATA mode with all the latest drivers. I have a 7200RPM drive.

 

Virus scan on? Indexing service on? Lots of background programs? System restore on? Etc etc. Have bluetooth, wifi, other hardware you don't need or use all the time turned off? (Device manager). Configured your OS so it doesn't run background programs you don't need (google 'Black Viper XP' for XP config, sure a similar Vista one also exists).

 

Did all of those. Before making this thread, my laptop is super optimized to run on minimal programs and all that.

 

What is the ambient temperature (temperature in the room)?

 

Don't have a thermometer here but it's pretty hot in our country. Is the ambient temp really contributing to the HDD temp a lot? Because 60C is the rated upper operating temp limit of my HDD, but it goes up to 63C?

 

Yeah it really does. Above, oh, 75-76F or so my notebook starts getting warm in the hard drive area and I usually turn on my cooler at that point. You can also try undervolting the CPU as another thing to try (but cooler's easier/better idea for notebook life as well), as overall heat in the case will affect HD temps.

However, when I run without a cooler and in silent mode I run significantly cooler (even fanless) and I've never had it go above 53/54C idling even in a warm room in full sunshine (high 70sF), so that seems out of order (maybe? I have a 5400rpm). If you don't want to try a cooler, you can elevate the notebook to get some air underneath and put a metal surface under it (my cooler, all aluminum, keeps my notebook cooler by a couple of degrees even turned off).

 

what HD are you using kevin. 65c is the maximum temp. on a lot of HD's including the western digital that im using. a lot of monitoring software sets their warnings to 57c ie. HW Monitor and Hard Disc Sentinel so you can manually change these to say, 60c warn and 65c danger.

 

I use a Western Digital 320GB 7200rpm. In their datasheet and as what Gophn have said to me, this is rated with 60C maximum.

 

I've reached 63 after a 2hour movie on silent mode. So I guess it's normal.

 

Ok that'd be great

 

thats interesting as i was quoated 65c max before damage could be caused.

 

Who said the information? Vendor?

 

Its pretty well known anything above 60C is bad for a harddrive.

 

Yah that's what I know too, 60C as the max limit. I'm not sure if 65C would still be safe?

 

I used to live in HK and due to the ambient temp being around 26*C - 30*C and humidity being 99.99% my laptop and PC ran extremely hot even when idling. I would never run the M860TU in silent mode there as it just really isn't a very good idea. Now in the UK where my room temp is around 12*C I can run it on Silent mode and no components go over 45*C.

As long as the temp isn't a constant 63*C then you shouldn't have any long term damage, its only when you run it over the spec'd max temp over an extended period of time that you will cause damage.

 

it was reported on here by a vendor. ill try and hunt down the post but it was 6 months ago so dont hold your breath.

 

Yep, sure! Thanks.

 

havnt found it yet but i did find this:

Intel Matrix Storage Manager 8.2 (hard drive): must be updated to version 8.5 to keep the hard drive cooler:
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/16750/eng/IATA85ENU.exe

this patch did put my temp. up a degree for the first day and then it dropped about 3c so whatever its doing it seemed to work.

 

I have contacted PNB tech support on this issue twice now! I was replied both times that they have enquired it and throughly tested the hdd. I had to complain when my hdd was constat at 63c and peaked at 64c ocationally. But since i myself am a tester and the hdd is fyn even after that.

Ny ways i installed the intel matrix storage manager v 8.5 and it did reduce the temp to accepteable 48-51c idle (was 59c previously) but even now goes to 58 c when doing some intense hdd work for quite some time.

FYI i have prevented myself frm using the silent mode coz my hdd tem peaked at 66c when i forcibly turned off my comp (with no damage done) thouh. I woldnt suggest using that mode unless ur at the poles may be

I will personally keep away frm that if the ambient is above 35c or very humind

Hope that helps. If needed i can post those mails back here if ny body is interested]
LMK

 

Posting your mails would be a great help

 

Just FYI - I'm prety sure I downloaded and installed 8.8 this weekend from the Intel site. The date on the driver is 2/11/09...version number is 8.8.1009.

I have no idea if this is better or worse than 8.5.

 

I also have the 8.8.

 

soz,thats the original link.
all i know is the 8.2 worked. can we have some comparison with the 8.5 and 8.8

 

Can i just copy paste the mail, or will I be breaking any rules in doing so??
I just want to be sure

 

I guess this should help

Let me know your opeinion

 

Also do read this thread. I thought it is interesting and relevent.
Does that really mean the opposite of what i was told in the mails i got frm PNB or am i missing something?

Hope i could merge my 3 posts now. Sorry abt that

 

I think it would be fine to copy and paste it

 

Also do read this thread. I thought it is interesting and relevent.
Does that really mean the opposite of what i was told in the mails i got frm PNB or am i missing something?

Also after installing the new drivers shut down ur comp for 30 mins or so (dont put it to sleep) Let the HDD cool down and then check if they are actually working.
I am downloading those 8.8 drivers listed from here
Ill let u know the results. rit now my comp idles at 48-51c with 8.5 drivers and peaks at 58-60c after intense hdd usage for over 30 mins or so

 

Here you go

The mail i sent to them

Finally i received my laptop after fixing the BIOS. I am glad and thanks for your support

But my hdd is running quite hot and that worries me. It is constant at 61-62c idle and has even touched 67c at which point i turned off my laptop fearing a crashing hdd

Before sending in for repair my hdd would idle at around 48-50c. But now this is bothering me as i cant even rest my hands (right hand)
Also the finger print is exceptionally hot(not warm). I am using the stock drivers given to me by Sager, but have tired out latest chipset drivers without any change.

Could you please advice me on this issue.

The reply i got

t is possible that the BIOS update changed the fan operation speed. Sager has done extensive stress tests to ensure that the hard drive is still safe while running at these temperatures. You may wish to try updating your video drivers to see if overall operating temperatures may lower with higher GPU efficiency. The latest video driver is available from:

Vista 32:
http://74.212.252.103/ftp/video/NV17625_V3M860TU.exe

Vista 64:
http://74.212.252.103/ftp/video/NV17625_V6M860TU.exe

XP:
http://74.212.252.103/ftp/video/NV17625_XM860TU.exe

Please let me know if this does not change things.


P.S -I had to send in my laptop for RMA as i bricked it doing a bios update. After getting it back the bios was updated to version 13.
I later updated the video drivers (dint help on hdd temps) but did improve my gfx performance marginally
I upgraded to 8.5 version (intel matrix storage drivers)

 

It's all basic troubleshooting tips which I guess are SOP workarounds of most resellers.

 

I would pretty much like to say that my HDD isues are solved. Thanks to NBR members.

I am using the Intel matrix storage drivers version 8.8 and vista and my HDD temps are stable ~46c idle and the right palm rest area is almost as cool as the left side area.

 

How long have you tested the stability?

 

A little over 22hrs. Maxed at 51c after 38gb of continuoes transfer to ext hdd,

Constant at 47c even when the mid day temps reached 35c. (Left comp on the whole day just to test )

Also tried the same drivers on my vista but it idled at 49 c (tested for 3 hrs only)

Do you need any other info???

 

Ahh. That's nice. I think that would be all for now. Thanks.

 

Great! I'm thinking that Intel really borked up drivers for this chipset for a while now and only recently started fixing things.