Manual fan speed control

[pgwmw]

Hi everyone,

I'm using a HP Elitebook 8530w with Windows 7. I'm quite happy with my laptop, apart from the fact that it has big cooling problems. Even when performing some normal tasks the gpu and cores rise to a temperature of 70 degrees celcius. When performing some more intense tasks the temperature skyrockets to 100 degrees. As you can imagine this has a very negative effect on my system performance.

my bios and driver versions are all up to date, my fans/vents are clean, and the problem is only slightly less when using a workstation with additional fans.

It seems to me that this issue could be resolved by manually increasing the fan speeds during (important) heavy duty work: It appears the fans aren't running at full speed during these times.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to do so thus far. Any software for regulating fan speeds manually can't detect the fans.

Is there any way to work around this?

Your help is appreciated 🙂

[pgwmw]

No one, than?

[topmahof]

Let's put it this way. There isn't anything free out there for HP's.  And I haven't had the need to buy one.  There's another thread here somewhere for the DV series about the fan controls but I can't find it now.  Speedfan will only show the temps it won't adjust the speed.  There are fan controls for thinkpads that I use and I'm gonna put one on an HP and see if it will work.  If it does, I'll post back. 

[topmahof]

None of the thinkpad fan controls will work. I couldn't get the trial version of cpu cool to work either.  I think the problem is that the hp bios is locked down tighter than a drum.  A program has to be able to bypass the bios in order to work coz the bios controls the fan.  I went on My Digital Life and there are some requests for a bios modification for hp machines in order to loosen up the bios somewhat.  About the only thing that you can do is request a bios modification so a fan control will work.  And I don't think I really want to trust an experiment.

[pgwmw]

Thank you for your reply, topmahof.

I'll submit a request and keep my fingers crossed 🙂

[nbohni]

I have the same problem with my HP EliteBook 2530p. It even shuts down without prior notice when it is too hot (and I only used Skype and Internet). Did you find a solution or answer from HP?

[ViPup]

Exactly the same sh..... I have with my HP EliteBook 2540p on 32-bit Microsoft Vista. The only way to use it in-door is to switch it into  Low-Powel-Mode, that is absolutely "optimal" using  for 2K$ HP-Notebook 😉

[RedHaPenguin]

Same problem on my NW9440. Windows XP the fan would get louder/ faster as the laptop got hot, under Windows 7 the fan only runs on the lowest speed. Vents are clean and clear. Fan operates fine as it self checks at boot by blowing at full speed for several seconds, and again for a moment during the Windows 7 boot logo. However once in Windows 7 it runs at the lowest speed, even with the Quadro FX under load. I am unable to run 3D accellerated programs because of this and this $2,500 laptop is a doorstop with Windows 7 on it. HP please add a "Constant 100% Fan Speed" in the BIOS, or let us control the fan from within Windows 7, or resolve this fan controller problem with Windows 7.

[Fengwhite]

Try "Notebook Fan Control" software.

If it works, click the "donate a beer" link to make a donation to the author.

I did not find my exact HP model in the list but selected one that is close enough and it worked for me.