[firlgriend]

i just got a Powerbook 12" Al G4 Powerbook 1,5GHZ, 1,25GB SDRAM, 80GB - I can't believe how NOISY the fan is. I also have a white G3 iBook and what a difference! I installed TEMPEROX (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/25697) to check if everything was ok and here is what i get while writing this (only Safari & iChat are running!):

CPU Bottomside: 45.25°C/113.0°F
CPU Intrepid Bottomside: 46.25°C/115.25°F
Power Supply Bottomside: 49.5°C/121.1°F
Rear Left Fan Speed: 4323.0 rpm
Rear Right Fan Speed: 34.0 rpm
CPU Core Voltage: 1.0V

I also checked Activity Monitor. Upgraded to TIGER (didn't help). Reset the PRam just in case. What about the Firmware? Should i try?

I'm worried about the Rear Left Fan Speed. It's on almost all the time. Is that normal?

Thank you for any help!!!

[thegelding]

do you have virex...some people are having a problem with virex, tiger and the fan always on

g

[Brad]

Check your CPU usage. If it's high, that'll explain the fan.

[firlgriend]

thank you so much. i don't have virex installed.

i'm not familiar with activity monitor, it's mostly "green" so i suppose it's a pretty low cpu usage. but here's what i get
CPU :
%Users: 18.0 to 44
%System: 2.00 to 19.00
%Nice: 0.00
%Idle: 55.00 to 81.00
Threads 156
Processes 47

with this CPU usage the left fan is 3739.0 rpm (is there only one fan by the way?)

[Brad]

Yes, there's only one fan. I don't know why that application tells you there are two.

[firlgriend]

thanx again.
i had a crash when installing Tiger the same day i got the PB. Can a crash damage that kind of stuff?
i'm thinking that maybe i'm being paranoid cause i put a lot of money in it. Maybe this model is getting warmer easely?? but this sound... it's like i bought a pc. it will be ennoying to record music + i'm a bit worried about summer times...

[Paul]

How is the powerbook setup? Is it on a table? Is there space underneath it to allow air to flow freely?

[johnq]

I'm sure it's on a sofa, cushion, bed, pillow or lap...

[firlgriend]

It's mostly on a table with space underneath. If i work hard, with audio applications for example, the fan can go up to 6000 rpm. but this is normal then. what i don't understand is why the fan is always on, even when i'm just surfing the net. the average fan speed is around 7200 rpm. the fan is off ONLY when i wake the PB from sleep, but always kicks in after a couple of minutes

[firlgriend]

i made a mistake. The average fan speed is 3750 rpm when i don't use much CPU (chating, surfing, writing).

[firlgriend]

i've bee monitoring the temperature and it seems like the fan kicks in when the CPU Intrepid Bottomside reach 45.00C / 114.0F.

Is this normal?

Anyone knows if this PB version (G4 1.5GHZ, 80GB+Tiger) is supposed to reach such temperature while using such low CPU?

hope it makes sense, my english is soso today...

[skid_boy_99]

The fan on my brand new 12" PowerBook came on a lot when using it on my lap, or in bed, or on the sofa.

Bought an iLap and it's okay now (plus typing angle is better) but the fan goes crazy when a firewire drive is attached or if the internal hard drive has to thrash a lot - are you doing lots of video editing or anything else that reads/writes lots to the hard disc?

I'm having the exact same problem with my brand new 12" 1.5GHz. It got worst when I installed TIGER, actually the system crashed when I was installing.
I guess we have a pattern here.

Originally Posted by firlgriend i just got a Powerbook 12" Al G4 Powerbook 1,5GHZ, 1,25GB SDRAM, 80GB - I can't believe how NOISY the fan is. I also have a white G3 iBook and what a difference! I installed TEMPEROX (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/25697) to check if everything was ok and here is what i get while writing this (only Safari & iChat are running!): CPU Bottomside: 45.25°C/113.0°F CPU Intrepid Bottomside: 46.25°C/115.25°F Power Supply Bottomside: 49.5°C/121.1°F Rear Left Fan Speed: 4323.0 rpm Rear Right Fan Speed: 34.0 rpm CPU Core Voltage: 1.0V I also checked Activity Monitor. Upgraded to TIGER (didn't help). Reset the PRam just in case. What about the Firmware? Should i try? I'm worried about the Rear Left Fan Speed. It's on almost all the time. Is that normal? Thank you for any help!!!

[firlgriend]

My friends having a 12" PB have the same problem but they think it's normal. i don't know why especially with 12" PB. Personally i resold mine, i'm going back to the iBook, less powerfull but silent at least.

[berner]

hey firlgriend, This isn't on a powerbook, but it should follow the same basic rules...
I often monitor temps and processes on my ibook and the fan doesn't run at all until the processor temperature spends a while in the low 60 degrees celsius. I have only ever had my fan running regularly (never constantly) with a full cpu load [meaning 90-100% continuous] while gaming for more than 1 hour and in those circumstances i have had the cpu temp at around 68-70 degrees C.
there is a hardware problem with you new powerbook i think, you should use the hardware monitor/diagnostic cd that came with the computer(it'll be in the bundle of disks). I think you put it in and then restart with that cd in the drive, it boots up in a test mode from there, also take advantage of your apple care support for some tech advice.
Did you say you sold it already? If so, well than disregard the advice...
to clarify my point: as far as i understand the g4 chips don't need active cooling until they get to around 60 degrees celcius.
it is possible that the problem is with the graphics chip as it shares the fan and heatsink with the cpu.
Kevin

[johnq]

Buy a Podium CoolPad.

http://www.roadtools.com/podium.html

Added benefit is a more comfortable typing angle, plus it swivels (although firmly so, it doesn't jiggle around)

[firlgriend]

thanx berner, the strange thing is that a friend who bought the PB at the exact same time has the same problem, maybe a bad (or new) serie...

[CobaltFire]

This is a little off topic, but does the 15" PB HAVE a fan? I have never heard a peep from my PB unless it was the HDD or DVD drives.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by CobaltFire This is a little off topic, but does the 15" PB HAVE a fan?

Yes, all currently shipping Apple computers have a fan.

[CobaltFire]

Well, mine is a Rev A. Any clue why I have never heard the fan? It gets hot as hell on the bottom, even with the Antec Laptop Cooler.

[Lyngo]

To control the fan, go to the battery icon in the menubar. Click on it... and then scroll down to better battery life. It will make a significant difference in how often the fan(s) turn on.

Godspeed!

- Lyngo

[SantaBarbarian]

Originally Posted by Lyngo To control the fan, go to the battery icon in the menubar. Click on it... and then scroll down to better battery life. It will make a significant difference in how often the fan(s) turn on.

That seems to be just System Prefs for Energy Saver, and the option you mention turns down the system speed (probably CPU). To me, doing this would be like buying an expensive sports car and then having a speed limiter installed. I'm sure hoping other solutions to this fan problem will come along.

[curiousuburb]

Anecdotally, many local dealers here no longer actively promote the PB12.
Too many heat issues.