Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

Disco Dave · 2016-04-15 22:43:55

Hello, I'm running into some issues attempting to setup my fancontrol.

I ran pwmconfig and everything goes fine, I set all the values to default. I enable the fancontrol service with systemctl, but it seems to fail after I reboot.

[disco@discolappy ~]$ systemctl --failed 
  UNIT               LOAD   ACTIVE SUB    DESCRIPTION
● fancontrol.service loaded failed failed Start fan control, if configured

LOAD   = Reflects whether the unit definition was properly loaded.
ACTIVE = The high-level unit activation state, i.e. generalization of SUB.
SUB    = The low-level unit activation state, values depend on unit type.

1 loaded units listed. Pass --all to see loaded but inactive units, too.
To show all installed unit files use 'systemctl list-unit-files'.
[disco@discolappy ~]$ systemctl status fancontrol.service 
● fancontrol.service - Start fan control, if configured
   Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/fancontrol.service; enabled; vendor preset: disabled)
   Active: failed (Result: exit-code) since Fri 2016-04-15 18:36:08 EDT; 2min 1s ago
  Process: 2454 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/fancontrol (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)
 Main PID: 2454 (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)
[disco@discolappy ~]$ systemctl restart fancontrol.service 
[disco@discolappy ~]$ systemctl status fancontrol.service 
● fancontrol.service - Start fan control, if configured
   Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/fancontrol.service; enabled; vendor preset: disabled)
   Active: failed (Result: exit-code) since Fri 2016-04-15 18:38:19 EDT; 14s ago
  Process: 4240 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/fancontrol (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)
 Main PID: 4240 (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)
[disco@discolappy ~]$ journalctl _PID=4240
-- Logs begin at Sat 2016-02-13 14:12:54 EST, end at Fri 2016-04-15 18:34:55 EDT. --
Mar 03 22:59:26 discolappy login[4240]: pam_unix(login:session): session opened for user disco by LOGIN(ui
Mar 03 22:59:26 discolappy login[4240]: LOGIN ON tty1 BY disco
Mar 03 22:59:41 discolappy login[4240]: pam_unix(login:session): session closed for user disco
lines 1-4/4 (END)

The config file that it makes is as follows

[disco@discolappy ~]$ cat /etc/fancontrol 
# Configuration file generated by pwmconfig, changes will be lost
INTERVAL=10
DEVPATH=hwmon2=
DEVNAME=hwmon2=dell_smm
FCTEMPS=hwmon2/pwm2= hwmon2/pwm1=
FCFANS=hwmon2/pwm2=hwmon2/fan2_input+hwmon2/fan1_input hwmon2/pwm1=hwmon2/fan1_input
MINTEMP=hwmon2/pwm2=20 hwmon2/pwm1=20
MAXTEMP=hwmon2/pwm2=50 hwmon2/pwm1=50
MINSTART=hwmon2/pwm2=150 hwmon2/pwm1=150
MINSTOP=hwmon2/pwm2=100 hwmon2/pwm1=100

I have a dell inspiron i7559.

Thanks to anyone who can help

TCBear · 2016-04-17 15:52:05

I have arch on a couple of Dell laptops. I've got to ask, is there a reason you aren't using the i8kutils package from the AUR that the fan
control wiki suggests for Dell laptops?
I ask because on my Dell Inspiron 1300, I have to force the module to load, though that seems to cause some minor issues with my desktop.

modprobe i8k force=1

That was a suggestion in the comments on the i8kutils package. It works fine on my other Dell laptop, Latitude c600.

Disco Dave · 2016-04-17 23:00:40

Hey thanks a lot, I looked back at the wiki and found that. Not sure how I didn't see that before. Anyways thanks, everything seems to be okay for now.

Disco Dave · 2016-04-18 01:30:08

Actually I have question probably silly. But in the /etc/i8kutils/i8kmon.conf file it says

# Temperature thresholds: {fan_speeds low_ac high_ac low_batt high_batt}
# These were tested on the I8000. If you have a different Dell laptop model
# you should check the BIOS temperature monitoring and set the appropriate
# thresholds here. In doubt start with low values and gradually rise them
# until the fans are not always on when the cpu is idle.
set config(0)	{{0 0}  -1  60  -1  65}
set config(1)	{{1 0}  50  70  55  75}
set config(2)	{{1 1}  60  80  65  85}
set config(3)	{{2 2}  70 128  75 128}

I'm confused by the format set config lines. So for example with the line

set config(3)	{{2 2}  70 128  75 128}

Does the {2 2} mean both fans at full speed? And for the 70, 128, 75, 128 - Is the 70-128 the range in degrees Celsius it turns on at full speed? And the 75-128 somehow corresponds to battery?

I'm just really confused, and it would be greatly appreciated if you could explain that section of the conf file.

Taijian · 2016-04-18 19:22:40

You are on the right track.

What you should do first, is run i8kfan from the terminal. This will give you an output like: "-1 1" or "1 1" or somesuch. This tells you the current state of your fans:
-1 fan is not installed
0 fan is idle
1 fan is at low speed
2 fan is at high speed

Then, in the config file, you set the temperature thresholds (in C) for switching the fans from one level to the next.
The first two numbers, in the {} denote the power level of the two fans, in the same order as the output earlier.
the next to numbers are for running on AC. The first of these says at what temp the fans will switch to the next lower level. The second one, when to switch to the higher level. Thus, for level (0), the first number is -1, as there is no level lower than (0). Starting at 60C, the level will go up to (1), meaning that the left fan will turn on (in the default config). Things will stay that way until the temp (a) falls below 50C again, or (b) it rises above 70C. And so forth.
The last two numbers are the same as the preceding pair, only for battery power.

Example from my system, with only one fan:

# Temperature thresholds: {fan_speeds low_ac high_ac low_batt high_batt}
# These were tested on the I8000. If you have a different Dell laptop model
# you should check the BIOS temperature monitoring and set the appropriate
# thresholds here. In doubt start with low values and gradually rise them
# until the fans are not always on when the cpu is idle.
set config(0)	{{- 0}  -1  60  -1  65}
set config(1)	{{- 1}  50  80  55  85}
set config(2)	{{- 2}  70 128  75 128}
set config(3)	{{- 2}  70 128  75 128}

I hope this helps!

Last edited by Taijian (2016-04-18 19:26:16)

Disco Dave · 2016-04-19 01:17:06

Thanks a lot for the help, Here is my config

[disco@discolappy ~]$ cat /etc/i8kutils/i8kmon.conf 
# Sample i8kmon configuration file (/etc/i8kmon.conf, ~/.i8kmon).

# Kernel APM status file
set config(proc_apm)	/proc/apm

# Kernel ACPI status file
set config(proc_acpi)	/proc/acpi/ac_adapter/0/status

# External program to control the fans
set config(i8kfan)	/usr/bin/i8kfan

# Applet geometry, override with --geometry option
set config(geometry)	{}

# Run as daemon, override with --daemon option
set config(daemon)	0

# Automatic fan control, override with --auto option
set config(auto)	0

# Report status on stdout, override with --verbose option
set config(verbose)	0

# Status check timeout (seconds), override with --timeout option
set config(timeout)	5

# Temperature display unit (C/F), override with --unit option
set config(unit)	C

# Temperature threshold at which the temperature is displayed in red
set config(t_high)	70

# Minimum expected fan speed
set config(min_speed)	1800

# Temperature thresholds: {fan_speeds low_ac high_ac low_batt high_batt}
# These were tested on the I8000. If you have a different Dell laptop model
# you should check the BIOS temperature monitoring and set the appropriate
# thresholds here. In doubt start with low values and gradually rise them
# until the fans are not always on when the cpu is idle.
set config(0)	{{0 0}  -1  40  -1  40}
#set config(1)	{{1 0}  50  70  55  75}
set config(1)	{{1 1}  41  55  41  55}
set config(2)	{{2 2}  56 128  56 128}

# end of file

My laptop is currently at ~55 degrees, and the fans are not running. I made sure to run

sudo systemctl enable i8kmon.service
sudo systemctl start i8kmon.service

Also

[disco@discolappy ~]$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/i8k.conf 
options i8k force=1

Am I miss understanding or missing something?

presianbg · 2016-04-19 04:51:38

May I suggest using Thermald with following conf:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!--
     use "man thermal-conf.xml" for details
-->
<!-- BEGIN -->
<ThermalConfiguration>
    <Platform>
        <Name>ASUS G551JM</Name>
        <ProductName>*</ProductName>
        <Preference>QUIET</Preference>
        <ThermalZones>
            <ThermalZone>
                <Type>x86_pkg_temp</Type>
                <TripPoints>
                    <TripPoint>
                        <SensorType>x86_pkg_temp</SensorType>
                        <Temperature>45000</Temperature>
                        <type>passive</type>
                        <ControlType>SEQUENTIAL</ControlType>
                        <CoolingDevice>
                            <index>1</index>
                            <type>Fan_1</type>
                            <influence> 100 </influence>
                            <SamplingPeriod> 12 </SamplingPeriod>
                        </CoolingDevice>
                    </TripPoint>
                    <TripPoint>
                        <SensorType>x86_pkg_temp</SensorType>
                        <Temperature>55000</Temperature>
                        <type>passive</type>
                        <ControlType>SEQUENTIAL</ControlType>
                        <CoolingDevice>
                            <index>1</index>
                            <type>Fan_2</type>
                            <influence> 100 </influence>
                            <SamplingPeriod> 12 </SamplingPeriod>
                        </CoolingDevice>
                    </TripPoint>
                    <TripPoint>
                        <SensorType>x86_pkg_temp</SensorType>
                        <Temperature>65000</Temperature>
                        <type>passive</type>
                        <ControlType>SEQUENTIAL</ControlType>
                        <CoolingDevice>
                            <index>1</index>
                            <type>Fan_3</type>
                            <influence> 100 </influence>
                            <SamplingPeriod> 12 </SamplingPeriod>
                        </CoolingDevice>
                    </TripPoint>
                </TripPoints>
            </ThermalZone>
        </ThermalZones>
        <CoolingDevices>
            <CoolingDevice>
                <Type>Fan_1</Type>
                <Path>/sys/devices/platform/asus-nb-wmi/hwmon/hwmon1/pwm1</Path>
                <MinState>100</MinState>
                <IncDecStep>15</IncDecStep>
                <ReadBack> 0 </ReadBack>
                <MaxState>155</MaxState>
                <DebouncePeriod>5</DebouncePeriod>
            </CoolingDevice>
            <CoolingDevice>
                <Type>Fan_2</Type>
                <Path>/sys/devices/platform/asus-nb-wmi/hwmon/hwmon1/pwm1</Path>
                <MinState>155</MinState>
                <IncDecStep>15</IncDecStep>
                <ReadBack> 0 </ReadBack>
                <MaxState>215</MaxState>
                <DebouncePeriod>5</DebouncePeriod>
            </CoolingDevice>
            <CoolingDevice>
                <Type>Fan_3</Type>
                <Path>/sys/devices/platform/asus-nb-wmi/hwmon/hwmon1/pwm1</Path>
                <MinState>215</MinState>
                <IncDecStep>10</IncDecStep>
                <ReadBack> 0 </ReadBack>
                <MaxState>245</MaxState>
                <DebouncePeriod>5</DebouncePeriod>
            </CoolingDevice>
        </CoolingDevices>
    </Platform>
</ThermalConfiguration>
<!-- END -->

You can adjust your sensors and fan paths. Also you need to play around with the values of the fans and degrees.

Taijian · 2016-04-19 22:46:38

First off, I could not get anything but i8k to run on my Dell, because even with this installed, my fan is not visible to me - so I cannot control it directly.

However, i8k does work for me - here's what I'd change from the setup you posted earlier:

# Run as daemon, override with --daemon option
set config(daemon)	1

# Automatic fan control, override with --auto option
set config(auto)	1

Change both of these to 1, so they actually turn on.

Also, I noticed that you do not have any overlap between your fan level settings. This might lead you into situations where your CPU temp is say 41C. In your setup, this will switch the fans on, likely lowering temperature to say 40C. This will turn the fans off again, so the CPU will again get to 41C, turning the fans on, etc... Does not necessarily have to happen, but is something to watch out for, as this could be (a) annoying and (b) be damaging to your fan motor. If you let the profiles overlap a bit, that scenario becomes less likely (see my example config).

Disco Dave · 2016-04-19 22:59:03

Alright thank you! I certainly don't want break my motors!

Is this a more sane setup?

[disco@discolappy ~]$ cat /etc/i8kutils/i8kmon.conf 
# Sample i8kmon configuration file (/etc/i8kmon.conf, ~/.i8kmon).

# Kernel APM status file
set config(proc_apm)	/proc/apm

# Kernel ACPI status file
set config(proc_acpi)	/proc/acpi/ac_adapter/0/status

# External program to control the fans
set config(i8kfan)	/usr/bin/i8kfan

# Applet geometry, override with --geometry option
set config(geometry)	{}

# Run as daemon, override with --daemon option
set config(daemon)	1

# Automatic fan control, override with --auto option
set config(auto)	1

# Report status on stdout, override with --verbose option
set config(verbose)	1

# Status check timeout (seconds), override with --timeout option
set config(timeout)	1

# Temperature display unit (C/F), override with --unit option
set config(unit)	C

# Temperature threshold at which the temperature is displayed in red
set config(t_high)	70

# Minimum expected fan speed
set config(min_speed)	1800

# Temperature thresholds: {fan_speeds low_ac high_ac low_batt high_batt}
# These were tested on the I8000. If you have a different Dell laptop model
# you should check the BIOS temperature monitoring and set the appropriate
# thresholds here. In doubt start with low values and gradually rise them
# until the fans are not always on when the cpu is idle.
set config(0)	{{0 0}  -1  60  -1 60}
#set config(1)	{{1 0}  50  70  55  75}
set config(1)	{{1 1}  50  80  50  80}
set config(2)	{{2 2}  70 128  70 128}

# end of file

Taijian · 2016-04-19 23:05:24

Should be. You can always monitor your temp for a while at the start - depending on your DE there should be some tool to just display CPU temp on the GUI. Then you can look at temp readings and use i8kfan to check on fan status to see if it is working.

If not, do report back!

Disco Dave · 2016-04-19 23:13:15

I have sensor viewer and I also have a conky. What temperature sensor does i8kmon use by the way? Because I appear to have a quite a temperature sensors.
Also are my fans supposed to rev to full speed for a second while booting? Because I noticed they started doing that when I installed i8kmon.

[disco@discolappy ~]$ sensors
coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Physical id 0:  +52.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 0:         +50.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 1:         +48.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 2:         +46.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 3:         +45.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)

acpitz-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +27.8°C  (crit = +119.0°C)
temp2:        +29.8°C  (crit = +119.0°C)

dell_smm-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
Processor Fan:    0 RPM
Processor Fan:    0 RPM
CPU:            +51.0°C  
GPU:            +49.0°C  
SODIMM:         +46.0°C

Taijian · 2016-04-19 23:25:46

My guess is that it uses the dell_smm-virtual CPU reading, but I'm really not sure. My setup is a bit different, and for me it seems to use "Physical id 0", because I don't get the dell_smm-virtual one.

As for the fan boost on startup: Yeah, I get that, too. But to me that's way better than just have them run at full all the time, as they did before I installed i8k... So, no, I have no idea what could be done to stop that.

workdowg · 2016-05-02 21:45:25

I noticed this isn't marked solved... I also have an Inspiron 15 i7559

Dell Inspiron 7559
i7-6700HQ
16GB Ram
Intel 530/Nvidia GTX 960M 4GB

I tried the above configs (/etc/i8kutils/i8kmon.conf and /etc/modprobe.d/i8k.conf) and I do get the fan boost and then it shuts off. But moments later, at idle and at only "42 degrees", it is back on and never shuts off... What am I missing to make it work?

Configs:

cat /etc/i8kutils/i8kmon.conf
# Sample i8kmon configuration file (/etc/i8kmon.conf, ~/.i8kmon).

# Kernel APM status file
set config(proc_apm)	/proc/apm

# Kernel ACPI status file
set config(proc_acpi)	/proc/acpi/ac_adapter/0/status

# External program to control the fans
set config(i8kfan)	/usr/bin/i8kfan

# Applet geometry, override with --geometry option
set config(geometry)	{}

# Run as daemon, override with --daemon option
set config(daemon)	1

# Automatic fan control, override with --auto option
set config(auto)	1

# Report status on stdout, override with --verbose option
set config(verbose)	1

# Status check timeout (seconds), override with --timeout option
set config(timeout)	1

# Temperature display unit (C/F), override with --unit option
set config(unit)	C

# Temperature threshold at which the temperature is displayed in red
set config(t_high)	70

# Minimum expected fan speed
set config(min_speed)	1800

# Temperature thresholds: {fan_speeds low_ac high_ac low_batt high_batt}
# These were tested on the I8000. If you have a different Dell laptop model
# you should check the BIOS temperature monitoring and set the appropriate
# thresholds here. In doubt start with low values and gradually rise them
# until the fans are not always on when the cpu is idle.
set config(0)	{{0 0}  -1  60  -1 60}
#set config(1)	{{1 0}  50  70  55  75}
set config(1)	{{1 1}  50  80  50  80}
set config(2)	{{2 2}  70 128  70 128}

# end of file

cat /etc/modprobe.d/i8k.conf
options i8k force=1

Here is my sensors output at idle...

sensors                     
acpitz-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +27.8 C  (crit = +119.0 C)
temp2:        +29.8 C  (crit = +119.0 C)

dell_smm-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
Processor Fan: 1933 RPM
Processor Fan: 2149 RPM
CPU:            +29.0 C  
GPU:            +29.0 C  
SODIMM:         +42.0 C  

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Physical id 0:  +42.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 0:         +42.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 1:         +36.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 2:         +35.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 3:         +34.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)

Side note... Where is the documentation for i8kutils?

Thanks!

workdowg · 2016-05-02 21:56:37

So it appears on reboot the temperature reads ~55 and the fans come on. But it immediately goes to ~43 and the fans stay on....

Taijian · 2016-05-02 22:06:26

First of, I'm not sure the i8kmon.conf forcing i8k on is in the right place. Mine is located in /etc/modules-load.d/ not /etc/modprobe.d/

Second, could you give us an output of your i8kfan?

workdowg · 2016-05-03 01:24:35

Taijian wrote:

First of, I'm not sure the i8kmon.conf forcing i8k on is in the right place. Mine is located in /etc/modules-load.d/ not /etc/modprobe.d/
Second, could you give us an output of your i8kfan?

i8kfan is "1 1" and I'll move the config to /etc/modules-load.d when I get home in the morning and try it... Thanks

Last edited by workdowg (2016-05-03 01:26:49)

workdowg · 2016-05-03 14:23:01

So when I left for work I suspended to ram. When I woke it up the "temp" said ~35 and went up to the 50's without the fan on. It is now averaging over 60 and still no fan. These temps are from my conky using:

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Physical id 0:  +60.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)

Which are now well over 60 and no fan. Do you think i8k is using these?

dell_smm-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
Processor Fan:    0 RPM
Processor Fan:    0 RPM
CPU:            +48.0 C  
GPU:            +46.0 C  
SODIMM:         +48.0 C

Next I ran handbrake and the load went up and the fan stepped up 3 times to high. here was one reading...

sensors
acpitz-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +27.8 C  (crit = +119.0 C)
temp2:        +29.8 C  (crit = +119.0 C)

dell_smm-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
Processor Fan: 2844 RPM
Processor Fan: 3102 RPM
CPU:            +70.0 C  
GPU:            +37.0 C  
SODIMM:         +51.0 C  

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Physical id 0:  +61.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 0:         +61.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 1:         +49.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 2:         +58.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)
Core 3:         +47.0 C  (high = +100.0 C, crit = +100.0 C)

Bottom line, do you think this is working properly now? As in, is this the best for my hardware?

Thanks again!

Taijian · 2016-05-03 14:57:48

workdowg wrote:

Bottom line, do you think this is working properly now? As in, is this the best for my hardware?

It sure sounds as though it's working... Mind you, I am surely no expert here, I just recently tried to get this to work on my Dell, and now I'm trying to share what I found out to work for me.

But yeah, it sounds as though the temp stays well below the 100°C that your Chipset reports as critical, and the fan stepping up in steps once it gets above 60°C also sounds good.

One thing that happens on my rig sometimes (haven't been able to figure out the pattern, yet), is that after suspend-to-disk i8kmon will be broken - but not notice. So my fans will either not start, or be on constantly again. But a quick 'sudo systemctl restart i8kmon' fixes that...

Guess I'll think twice about buying a Dell again, now that I switched to Linux

Last edited by Taijian (2016-05-03 14:59:02)

workdowg · 2016-05-03 15:11:42

Taijian wrote:

workdowg wrote:
Bottom line, do you think this is working properly now? As in, is this the best for my hardware?
It sure sounds as though it's working... Mind you, I am surely no expert here, I just recently tried to get this to work on my Dell, and now I'm trying to share what I found out to work for me.
But yeah, it sounds as though the temp stays well below the 100°C that your Chipset reports as critical, and the fan stepping up in steps once it gets above 60°C also sounds good.
One thing that happens on my rig sometimes (haven't been able to figure out the pattern, yet), is that after suspend-to-disk i8kmon will be broken - but not notice. So my fans will either not start, or be on constantly again. But a quick 'sudo systemctl restart i8kmon' fixes that...
Guess I'll think twice about buying a Dell again, now that I switched to Linux

Yes, it does seem to be working. But unless it is coming from a cold start (boot or suspend) the fans still don't turn off once on. I'll have to play with the numbers a little, but not too much because I don't want to hurt my hardware... Anyway, how long should the fan last if it is running at low speed forever??? It is fairly quiet...

And yes, Dell is unfortunately off my future purchase list. I have a great Asus I bought last year that had/has no issues like this. They couldn't beat the price and power I got with this Dell this time around though... we'll see how it goes.

THANKS!!!!

Taijian · 2016-05-03 15:55:11

workdowg wrote:

Yes, it does seem to be working. But unless it is coming from a cold start (boot or suspend) the fans still don't turn off once on. I'll have to play with the numbers a little, but not too much because I don't want to hurt my hardware... Anyway, how long should the fan last if it is running at low speed forever??? It is fairly quiet...

I not turning off again, once on does make sense - mine never goes back under 50°C once it's got going, so the fan never turns off. It would get colder, if I set the fan to high, but I just can't stand that level of noise...

As for your hardware, the temp should be fine pretty much indefinitely. What I was referring to with the fans earlier in the thread was that I do not think it is best for the fans to constantly switch between high and low setting, because of the config file that the other guy had set up.

workdowg · 2016-05-03 16:07:22

Taijian wrote:

workdowg wrote:
Yes, it does seem to be working. But unless it is coming from a cold start (boot or suspend) the fans still don't turn off once on. I'll have to play with the numbers a little, but not too much because I don't want to hurt my hardware... Anyway, how long should the fan last if it is running at low speed forever??? It is fairly quiet...
I not turning off again, once on does make sense - mine never goes back under 50°C once it's got going, so the fan never turns off. It would get colder, if I set the fan to high, but I just can't stand that level of noise...
As for your hardware, the temp should be fine pretty much indefinitely. What I was referring to with the fans earlier in the thread was that I do not think it is best for the fans to constantly switch between high and low setting, because of the config file that the other guy had set up.

Got it. All good. Solved for me it seems...

Klatu1974 · 2016-05-04 23:56:24

Yes, it does seem to be working. But unless it is coming from a cold start (boot or suspend) the fans still don't turn off once on. I'll have to play with the numbers a little, but not too much because I don't want to hurt my hardware... Anyway, how long should the fan last if it is running at low speed forever??? It is fairly quiet...

I have this same Laptop, Dell Inspiron 7559 with the same issue with the fans under Linux. They run far too often, even when the laptop has cooled down. I've tried i8kutils, but it seems not to work correctly with the BIOS on this laptop. The laptop BIOS eventually somehow takes over control of the fans, which is why the fans are not shutting off again.

Personally, I do not trust i18kutils on this laptop, since i18k seems to ignore settings, and appears to conflict with the BIOS fan control.

The other issue, which I think is related to the fan issues, is that the CPU won't go into deep power saving states under Linux. For example, looking at powertop idle stats, the CPU package doesn't get past PC2, when it should be getting to PC10.

None of these issues exist under Windoze, so I've been patiently installing new kernels as they come along in hopes some of these issues get resolved.

I kind of hate this laptop due to the sucky linux support.

Taijian · 2016-05-05 00:12:32

Actually, the power level issue is not so much Dell problem, as a Skylake problem. See here: https://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/41713.html

Klatu1974 · 2016-05-05 00:54:17

Taijian wrote:

Actually, the power level issue is not so much Dell problem, as a Skylake problem. See here: https://mjg59.dreamwidth.org/41713.html

Yes, I saw that after I got this laptop Strange that mjg says in the comments that the skylake HQ mobile chips (That's what's in these Dell 7559's) are supposed to work properly in regards to the power states. It's the U series that are supposed to have the issue. Doesn't seem to be the case here though.

Disco Dave · 2016-05-05 00:59:05

workdowg wrote:

... But unless it is coming from a cold start (boot or suspend) the fans still don't turn off once on ...

So, that implies that your suspend works properly? I still haven't been able to get my suspend to work properly on this laptop. It appears to either freeze as it suspends or after it suspends. Are you using bbswitch and bumblebee? Or the official nvidia drivers?

Also has anyone found a decent set of temps in the i8kutils.conf that works well for them? I've still been playing with mine and haven't found set of numbers that I'm happy with.

Arch Linux

#1 2016-04-15 22:43:55

Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

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Re: Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

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Re: Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

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Re: Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

#22 2016-05-04 23:56:24

Re: Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

#23 2016-05-05 00:12:32

Re: Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

#24 2016-05-05 00:54:17

Re: Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

#25 2016-05-05 00:59:05

Re: Help with fancontrol on dell laptop

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