Fan noise on Mac Powerbook

by tonymaniscalco Sep 26, 2007 2:30PM PDT

I have a 17" Powerbook that's about 3 years old running system 10.3.9. I'm a graphic designer so its got the usual line up of graphics software: Adobe CS2, a couple of web browsers (Safari and Firefox), pictures in iPhoto and some music in iTunes (but not a lot.) It's apparently 75 GB hard drive with 15.31 GB available.

For the last several months it sounds like the fan is running all the time. Sometimes it sounds like two fans are running - kind of a "whirrrrr" sound. It stops when I put it to sleep or shut it down.

Is this a cause for concern? Do these things run hot after a while or do I have some bigger issue to deal with?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Tony

Discussion is locked

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Try these suggestions

by Dango517 Sep 26, 2007 2:58PM PDT

Check for dust. Open up the laptop and clean it out with compressed air. Make sure you clean the CPU cooler well, this is most likely the source of the problem. Gently wiggle the CPU cooler and see if it's tight to the mother board. Don't force it. Try to keep your hands off the metal components. Try these two suggestions first.

The cleaning should be done periodically depending on how often you use the laptop. You will need to decide how often that will be.

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Thanks

by tonymaniscalco Sep 29, 2007 10:58AM PDT

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure I'm capable of opening this thing up and cleaning it but at least I know what to ask for at the service center.

Tony

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Video, you can do it

by Dango517 Sep 29, 2007 11:20AM PDT

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3121_7-6679060-1.html

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Yes, they do run hot

by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Sep 26, 2007 9:51PM PDT

but the fans should hold the temp to a within tolerances.

Once you have followed the other posters advice, see if running one graphic program at a time produces the increased fan noise.

I had a copy of SNOOD, that well known graphics program , that took 100% of the processor, which in turn made the fans go so fast that it sounded like a freight train.
Once I had made the connection, SNOOD went out the window.

Check out Activity Monitor, Applications > Utilities, when the fans spin up and see if you can spot what is going on with the system.

P

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Thanks for the help

by tonymaniscalco Sep 29, 2007 10:59AM PDT

I'll give it a try after its cleaned.

Tony

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I run a 12 inch iBook with a Targus chill pad...

by grimgraphix Sep 27, 2007 1:28AM PDT

The chill pad has 2 fans built into it which are powered off of a USB port. I often have the iBook's internal fans kick on if I'm not using the chill pad but hardly ever, when the chill pad is connected and running. Rubber pads also allow air to circulate under the iBook for better cooling.

For convenience and portability, I used self stick velcro tape to connect the iBook's bottom side to the plastic, lightweight chill pad. This way, it moves around the house as one unit. I have handed it to people who never realized the chill mat was not part of the computer.

Since I run Tiger on my G4... I use a widget called iStat Pro to monitor functions and hardware. Temps on CPU, RAM, and HD can vary as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, when I use the cooling pad on my lap top.

If I get another laptop, I will definitely get another cooling pad (no matter what brand) for it. It performs better and stays cooler, and I expect a longer operating life out of it because it has seen less wear and tear (heat wise).

cheers

grim

PS: in the time I took to write this, I turned off the chill pad's fans... and the CPU temp rose from 122

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Thanks

by tonymaniscalco Sep 29, 2007 11:01AM PDT

I'll look into the Chill Pad. Sounds like it will help.

Tony

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LOL

by prince10bee Sep 28, 2007 10:17PM PDT

You're expecting a Powerbook to be quiet?

POWA!

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And your experience with a PowerBook, would be?

by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Sep 28, 2007 11:35PM PDT

I note you don't claim to own one or use one but I will concede that you know what one is.

On what do you base your comment?

Just wondering if it was based on any factual information, first hand experience, etc..

How's the eMachine running?

P

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How's the eMachine running?

by bowacl Sep 29, 2007 3:10AM PDT

Which one - the 6 yr old one or the 3 yr old one - no matter they are both running fine, thanks for asking.

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(NT) You're welcome

by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Sep 29, 2007 4:34AM PDT

Fan noise on Mac Powerbook

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