Arch Linux

scarletxfi

Member

From: Australia

Registered: 2010-04-19

Posts: 105

fan always on dell XPS 15 (sandy bridge)

The fan on my laptop is always on (on windows it isn't).
I've installed acpi and laptop-mode, etc but it doesn't throttle it

here is some output:

cat /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/cooling_device8/cur_state
13

cat /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/cooling_device8/max_state
15

cat /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/cooling_device8/device/path
\_SB_.PCI0.GFX0.DD02

I think it is the nvidia GPU
all the rest of the "cooling_devices" are at 0
How do I throttle the nvidia fan?

Hohoho

Member

Registered: 2007-06-23

Posts: 222

Re: fan always on dell XPS 15 (sandy bridge)

Since the nvidia is basically useless right now, your best bet is to turn it off, get the acpi_call package from AUR and add this to your rc.local:

echo '\_SB.PCI0.PEG0.PEGP._OFF' > /proc/acpi/call

Though my nvidia doesn't produce any noise, I have the same laptop.
Slightly offtopic: do you experience flickering graphics all over the place? Like text dissappearing on mouse over then reappearing again after another mouseover, console missing letters, etc.?

scarletxfi

Member

From: Australia

Registered: 2010-04-19

Posts: 105

Re: fan always on dell XPS 15 (sandy bridge)

after recent system upgrade, i can hear the card but doing this " cat /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/cooling_device8/cur_state " returns a zero.

also the /proc/acpi/call method seems to work, but breaks any windows manager with an external monitor (at least on hdmi2[mini displayport, port])
more info:
1. computer boot up with no monitor connected. if it is called, and then monitor connected computer freezes.
2. if monitor is connected at boot, resolution is stuffed.

I have not experienced flickering graphics (i ahve the HD display model, and xf-86-video-intel installed)
I use kde as a WM. TWM for basic interfacing but mostly console.