Fan on dv2910us driving me crazy!

[shiber]

Hello everyone,

I would appreciate your help and opinion with my problem-

I recently purchased a dv2910us laptop, about 2 months ago.

A short while after working with the computer perfectly fine, the fan started to act crazy.

The fan is very quiet at first, but after a few minutes it starts going full speed for a second, and then stopping. and the on and off and on and off again and again.

I have to say that the computer is running fine, and the performance is not affected.

The computer is not warmer than a notebook should be, and is placed on my dest, in a dust-free are. I did not do any hardware changes or operation system alterations (using vista 32 sp1).

The only thing that changed is that the hp update program recommended a Bios flash update, which I did (to version F.2b).

I contacted the HP technical support over the phone, and the best they could do was to suggest I update my Bios to the newest version. So now I have version F.2d, with my problem still there.

Another thing- while looking for solutions online, I found that I am not the only one with this problem!

I found a few more people that noticed this problem, but unfortunately no one gave them good answers I could use.

So now all I can do is wait for you guys to try and help!

Regards,

Shai B.

[RonKe]

You are likely stuck with the fan noise to prevent overheating of the MoBo/GPU.

Your newest BIOS flash likely had the prior F.25 “improvement":'

Enhancements:   Improves temperature protection method for Intel Penryn Processors

[chrispy107]

The fan on my 6 month old Pavillion dv2700t started doing this exact same thing a couple months ago. Someone at hp must think this on-off-on-off technique is a good way to cool a chip and programmed it into the BIOS.

My problem has been getting progressively worse, probably as dust collects around the ports and the heatsink. Cleaning may help since maybe it won't need to go into this annoying mode as often. Otherwise, there is little we can do until hp updates the fan control algorithm, which I really hope they do soon.

[RonKe]

I have a different Product Number that you both; however, I have NOT flashed my BIOS but once, over a year ago, just after getting my RL653AV on the advice of a HP tech (new computer, immediate boot problems!)

I am 7 BIOS flashes behind the current HP recommended BIOS version because I did not want to have a BIOS with the fan running constantly because of what I considered more strain on my MoBo/GPU.  I have a P/N and the NVIDIA GPU that is failing by the 1,000s or more.  I am experiencing the first signs foreboding of a complete failure but without the HP recommended BIOS flash, my machine has done as well or better than most at 15 months old.

Intel, who makes chips, recommends on their website that you DO NOT flash your BIOS unless absolutely necessary (i.e., as a last resort). 

You, as an end user, are the only  one who can make the decision to Flash on not to Flash...

Appearances are that HP is doing a knee-jerk response to up the fan use on all of their models--even those without known defective NVIDIA GPUs-- in supposed attempts at forestalling possible other GPU meltdowns including Intel et al.

I Do Not know if re-flashing a BIOS back to a previous version before the fan algorithm is a good idea.  Other users here might chime in with their experiences.  I simply prefer to follow Intel's recommendations of NOT to Flash the BIOS unless absolutely necessary.

[shiber]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone here have an opinion about flashing my Bios to an earlier version? By the way, my video card is an on-board card, as part of the Intel chipset. I know now that getting a new version was unnecessary, but will I have problems "downgrading"? Shai B.

[shiber]

sorry- one more thing-

If I decide to downgrade, does anyone have an opinion on which one should I install?

Maybe the one the pc comes from the factory with? which one is that for this model?

Thanks!

Shai B.

[chrispy107]

Ronke, which nVidia chips are causing problems? What do you know about the GeForce 8400M GS?

[RonKe]

 Chrispy,

I assume that your 8400 class is included.  Even the 9000 class units might be involved.  However, the CEO of NVIDIA has not exposed all of the problem chips. 

The links to all of the problems involved are worth reading if you have a NVIDIA GPU--not to become paranoid--but rather to become informed of possible future problems involving your HP/NVIDIA machines and potential actions you might perform that might slow down the failure of your unit. 

Read:

NVIDIA Problems discussed on another section of this HP forum

There is also a NVIDIA mega-thread Here within the HP Business Support forum

[chrispy107]

Ugh... what a mess!

I guess the fan behavior is a non issue compared to what so many others are dealing with. I'll be watching the health of my machine closely from now on.  Hopefully the extra cooling will help.

How can I check what models are covered by hp's warranty extension?

[RonKe]

Is your Product #/Series Covered