Fans do not start at a stated threshold... Not even sure they start at all. #210

fakamaz · 2022-07-11T17:20:53Z

fakamaz
Jul 11, 2022

Here's an example from the config file:

tp_fan /proc/acpi/ibm/fan

hwmon /sys/devices/platform/coretemp.0/hwmon/hwmon3/temp3_input
hwmon /sys/devices/platform/coretemp.0/hwmon/hwmon3/temp4_input
hwmon /sys/devices/platform/coretemp.0/hwmon/hwmon3/temp1_input
hwmon /sys/devices/platform/coretemp.0/hwmon/hwmon3/temp5_input
hwmon /sys/devices/platform/coretemp.0/hwmon/hwmon3/temp2_input
hwmon /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone0/hwmon1/temp1_input
hwmon /sys/devices/virtual/thermal/thermal_zone0/hwmon1/temp2_input

(0,     0,      40)
(1,     38,     44)
(2,     42,     48)
(3,     46,     52)
(4,     50,     56)
(5,     54,     60)
(6,     58,     64)
(7,     62,     68)
(127,   66,     32767)

Status is:

thinkfan.service - simple and lightweight fan control program
     Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/thinkfan.service; enabled; vendor pres>
     Active: active (running) since Mon 2022-07-11 18:39:23 CEST; 39min ago
   Main PID: 31971 (thinkfan)
      Tasks: 1 (limit: 18863)
     Memory: 260.0K
     CGroup: /system.slice/thinkfan.service
             └─31971 /usr/sbin/thinkfan -q

Jul 11 18:39:23 ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Starting simple and lightweig>
Jul 11 18:39:23 ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[31970]: thinkfan 0.9.1 starting.>
Jul 11 18:39:23 ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Started simple and lightweight>

But the temperature is still high and I have a feeling the fans do not start when stated. So how can I fix this?

vmatare · 2022-07-17T01:19:09Z

vmatare
Jul 17, 2022
Maintainer

Well, first of all you should try and find out what the situation actually is. So when you feel like thinkfan isn't reacting to your temperatures the way you expect it to, run:

sensors
pkill -usr1 thinkfan
journalctl -el -u thinkfan

and post the output here.

0 replies

fakamaz · 2022-07-18T09:35:41Z

fakamaz
Jul 18, 2022
Author

Sensors:

thinkpad-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
fan1: 0 RPM

BAT0-acpi-0
Adapter: ACPI interface
in0: 11.84 V

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Package id 0: +77.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 0: +75.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 1: +77.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 2: +70.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 3: +72.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)

acpitz-acpi-0
Adapter: ACPI interface
temp1: +74.0°C (crit = +88.0°C)
temp2: +59.0°C (crit = +88.0°C)

pkill - produced an error when run as-is, when run as sudo - showed nothing...
journalctl:
-- Logs begin at Mon 2022-07-18 10:13:58 CEST, end at Mon 2022-07-18 11:33:58 C>
Jul 18 10:14:09 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Starting simple and lightweig>
Jul 18 10:14:10 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1224]: thinkfan 0.9.1 starting...
Jul 18 10:14:10 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Started simple and lightweigh>
Jul 18 11:33:58 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1262]: current temperatures: (75>

0 replies

vmatare · 2022-07-18T17:51:37Z

vmatare
Jul 18, 2022
Maintainer

That seems very strange to me. Unfortunately your log output is truncated, so I can't see what fan speed thinkfan has calculated. Can you please do the following during high temps:

sudo pkill -usr1 thinkfan
sudo journalctl --no-pager -el -u thinkfan # To make sure we get the entire log entries
sudo cat /proc/acpi/ibm/fan
sudo bash -c 'for f in /sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/*; do echo $f; cat $f; echo; done'

Normally we should see the calculated fan speed (127 at ~70°C) in the log message and the corresponding "level disengaged" in /proc/acpi/ibm/fan. If both are the case, then something must be wrong with your thinkpad_acpi kernel module. If one of those things is not the case, there must be something wrong with thinkfan.

0 replies

fakamaz · 2022-07-19T09:15:04Z

fakamaz
Jul 19, 2022
Author

Here you go...

journal
-- Logs begin at Tue 2022-07-19 09:59:30 CEST, end at Tue 2022-07-19 11:12:13 CEST. --
Jul 19 09:59:41 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Starting simple and lightweight fan control program...
Jul 19 09:59:42 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1240]: thinkfan 0.9.1 starting...
Jul 19 09:59:42 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Started simple and lightweight fan control program.
Jul 19 11:12:01 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1251]: current temperatures: (62, 57, 63, 61, 63, 63, 53)

fan
status: enabled
speed: 0
level: 7
commands: level ( is 0-7, auto, disengaged, full-speed)
commands: enable, disable
commands: watchdog ( is 0 (off), 1-120 (seconds))

It says 7, but I barely feel any air going out...

bash
/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/brightness_enable
2

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/brightness_mode
4

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_bluetoothemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_uwbemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_wlswemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_wwanemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/enable
Y

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/experimental
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/fan_control
Y

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/force_load
N

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/id
ThinkPadEC

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/index
-536870912

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/software_mute
Y

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/volume_capabilities
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/volume_control
N

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/volume_mode
3

0 replies

fakamaz · 2022-07-21T16:56:08Z

fakamaz
Jul 21, 2022
Author

And here's on higer temps:

-- Logs begin at Thu 2022-07-21 10:15:24 CEST, end at Thu 2022-07-21 18:54:10 CEST. --
Jul 21 10:15:35 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Starting simple and lightweight fan control program...
Jul 21 10:15:36 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1298]: thinkfan 0.9.1 starting...
Jul 21 10:15:36 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Started simple and lightweight fan control program.
Jul 21 18:53:57 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1333]: current temperatures: (87, 83, 87, 83, 84, 86, 55)

status: enabled
speed: 0
level: disengaged
commands: level ( is 0-7, auto, disengaged, full-speed)
commands: enable, disable
commands: watchdog ( is 0 (off), 1-120 (seconds))

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/brightness_enable
2

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/brightness_mode
4

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_bluetoothemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_uwbemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_wlswemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/dbg_wwanemul
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/enable
Y

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/experimental
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/fan_control
Y

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/force_load
N

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/id
ThinkPadEC

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/index
-536870912

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/software_mute
Y

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/volume_capabilities
0

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/volume_control
N

/sys/module/thinkpad_acpi/parameters/volume_mode
3

0 replies

vmatare · 2022-07-22T23:28:11Z

vmatare
Jul 22, 2022
Maintainer

Ok, thanks for getting back with the info. Since you have level: 7 and level: disengaged in /proc/acpi/ibm/fan I'd say that thinkfan is doing exactly what it's supposed to do. That is, write these things into that file at the given temperatures. Whatever happens (or doesn't happen) after that is the responsibility of the thinkpad_acpi kernel module and the embedded controller firmware. Since I have never heard about such a severe bug in thinkpad_acpi, I'd guess that either something is wrong with your firmware or with your fan itself. You can try doing a BIOS update if you haven't already. Also, is your fan making any noises like whining, clacking or rattling? In that case you might have worn out bearings and will need to get a replacement fan. If it's neither of those things I fear I'm out of ideas :-/

0 replies

fakamaz · 2022-07-23T05:29:31Z

fakamaz
Jul 23, 2022
Author

Well, here's a thing. I have a dual boot, and under Windows there's another similar app which controls fan. And it's works just fine! As in it spins on a max speed and I do hear the noise of the fan...

Under Linux - nothing. So it's definitely not a fan problem.

I was thinking that maybe that Windows app could interfere with Linux, but I'm not sure if it's even possible... On the other hand it does change fan control from bios to app settings.

0 replies

vmatare · 2022-07-23T15:10:19Z

vmatare
Jul 23, 2022
Maintainer

So that would mean that your hardware must be OK, and the only thing left is maybe some weird quirk in the interaction of thinkpad_acpi and your firmware. A BIOS update will update the embedded controller firmware, as well, so that's definitely worth trying. Other than that, you're also running a very old version of thinkfan, so you could try using the latest release. However since I'm fairly certain that thinkfan is working correctly here, that would be a shot in the dark. Another last-resort experiment would be to use a sysfs pwm* file to control the fan instead of /proc/acpi/ibm/fan. Normally that shouldn't make a difference, but in your case all bets are off I guess...

0 replies

fakamaz · 2022-07-24T11:15:58Z

fakamaz
Jul 24, 2022
Author

Thank you for all your tips, I'll try this out and let you know. Just curious though, how do I check which version of thinkfan I'm currently using?

Also, in case of pwm - I just have to replace tp_fan with pwm in the same line, right?

Lastly, I've stumbled on the following error, trying to compile the latest build:

@-ThinkPad-L430:/Downloads/thinkfan-1.3.1$ bash
@-ThinkPad-L430:/Downloads/thinkfan-1.3.1$ cmake -D CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=Release
CMake Warning:
No source or binary directory provided. Both will be assumed to be the
same as the current working directory, but note that this warning will
become a fatal error in future CMake releases.

-- The C compiler identification is GNU 9.4.0
-- The CXX compiler identification is GNU 9.4.0
-- Check for working C compiler: /usr/bin/cc
-- Check for working C compiler: /usr/bin/cc -- works
-- Detecting C compiler ABI info
-- Detecting C compiler ABI info - done
-- Detecting C compile features
-- Detecting C compile features - done
-- Check for working CXX compiler: /usr/bin/c++
-- Check for working CXX compiler: /usr/bin/c++ -- works
-- Detecting CXX compiler ABI info
-- Detecting CXX compiler ABI info - done
-- Detecting CXX compile features
-- Detecting CXX compile features - done
-- Found PkgConfig: /usr/bin/pkg-config (found version "1.6.3")
-- Looking for pthread.h
-- Looking for pthread.h - found
-- Performing Test CMAKE_HAVE_LIBC_PTHREAD
-- Performing Test CMAKE_HAVE_LIBC_PTHREAD - Failed
-- Looking for pthread_create in pthreads
-- Looking for pthread_create in pthreads - not found
-- Looking for pthread_create in pthread
-- Looking for pthread_create in pthread - found
-- Found Threads: TRUE
-- Checking for module 'systemd'
-- Found systemd, version 245
-- Checking for module 'openrc'
-- Package 'openrc', required by 'virtual:world', not found
-- Checking for module 'yaml-cpp'
-- Package 'yaml-cpp', required by 'virtual:world', not found
-- Checking for module 'libatasmart'
-- Package 'libatasmart', required by 'virtual:world', not found
CMake Error at CMakeLists.txt:60 (message):
USE_YAML enabled but yaml-cpp not found. Please install yaml-cpp[-devel]!

-- Configuring incomplete, errors occurred!
See also "/home/Downloads/thinkfan-1.3.1/CMakeFiles/CMakeOutput.log".
See also "/home/Downloads/thinkfan-1.3.1/CMakeFiles/CMakeError.log".

0 replies

vmatare · 2022-07-26T21:35:16Z

vmatare
Jul 26, 2022
Maintainer

Hi @fakamaz,

thinkfan should output its version when you run thinkfan -h. Be aware though that the thinkfan version 0.9.3 falsely reports its version as 0.9.1.
To compile the current version, you either need to have the development files of libyaml-cpp installed or you need to disable YAML support with -DUSE_YAML=false. Recent versions support a new, more powerful YAML-based config syntax if you're interested. But your old config should also continue to work as-is, not matter of you disable YAML or not.

0 replies

fakamaz · 2022-07-27T09:44:23Z

fakamaz
Jul 27, 2022
Author

Got it to compile with -DUSE_YAML=false and the version seems to be current 1.3.1! Thanks.

Now I actually feel a slightly warm wind coming on 57/60+ C; will test it out on higher temps.

What about pwm - I just have to replace tp_fan with pwm in the same line, right?

EDIT: On high temp I've noticed now it does this:

● thinkfan.service - thinkfan 1.3.1
Loaded: loaded (/usr/local/lib/systemd/system/thinkfan.service; enabled; v>
Drop-In: /etc/systemd/system/thinkfan.service.d
└─override.conf
Active: active (running) since Fri 2022-07-29 09:42:49 CEST; 7h ago
Process: 1297 ExecStart=/usr/local/sbin/thinkfan $THINKFAN_ARGS (code=exite>
Main PID: 1335 (thinkfan)
Tasks: 1 (limit: 18853)
Memory: 1.0M
CGroup: /system.slice/thinkfan.service
└─1335 /usr/local/sbin/thinkfan -b0

Jul 29 17:17:06 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:19:02 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:20:57 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:22:56 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:24:53 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:26:51 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:28:46 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:30:45 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:32:42 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping
Jul 29 17:34:38 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1335]: Watchdog ping

Maybe watchdog is blocking the fan? As normally it'll show temperature here. And since I do have visual artefacts I assume fan is not working really...

0 replies

vmatare · 2022-08-13T12:36:05Z

vmatare
Aug 13, 2022
Maintainer

So, one by one:

For documentation of the legacy config syntax you're using, take a look at the man page: man thinkfan.conf.legacy. You'll need to look at the pwm_fan keyword under the FANS section and then you'll need to modify your fan levels to range from 0 to 255 instead of 0 to 7. Note that level disengaged (the 127 you're using) isn't currently supported with PWM fans.
The watchdog ping you see is like a deadman's switch on the thinkpad_acpi module. Even if the fan speed doesn't change, thinkfan regularly lets the kernel know that it's alive. That way, when thinkfan crashes or freezes, automatic fan control will kick in.

0 replies

fakamaz · 2022-08-30T17:20:09Z

fakamaz
Aug 30, 2022
Author

Hi, and sorry for the late reply... I've checked on thinkfan status the other day, and this is what it's showing me:

-- Logs begin at Tue 2022-08-30 08:30:10 CEST, end at Tue 2022-08-30 19:15:41 CEST. --
Aug 30 08:30:23 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Starting thinkfan 1.3.1...
Aug 30 08:30:24 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[1376]: ERROR: Module thinkpad_acpi doesn't seem to support fan_control
Aug 30 08:30:24 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: thinkfan.service: Control process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
Aug 30 08:30:24 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: thinkfan.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
Aug 30 08:30:24 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Failed to start thinkfan 1.3.1.

No idea what might have happened here, but I can't seem to start it all of a sudden... I did try the above, but it seems I'm not quite following how that 255 format should work.

I'm using the one from the example file here:

levels:

speed: 0
upper_limit: [50, 50, 50]
speed: 100
lower_limit: [45, 45, 45]
upper_limit: [65, 65, 65]
speed: 255
lower_limit: [60, 60, 60]

But it stops on the "levels" and produces this:

● thinkfan.service - thinkfan 1.3.1
Loaded: loaded (/usr/local/lib/systemd/system/thinkfan.service; enabled; vendor p>
Drop-In: /etc/systemd/system/thinkfan.service.d
└─override.conf
Active: failed (Result: exit-code) since Tue 2022-08-30 19:32:46 CEST; 4s ago
Process: 76146 ExecStart=/usr/local/sbin/thinkfan $THINKFAN_ARGS (code=exited, sta>

Aug 30 19:32:46 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Starting thinkfan 1.3.1...
Aug 30 19:32:46 -ThinkPad-L430 thinkfan[76146]: ERROR: /etc/thinkfan.conf:64: I>
levels:
^
Aug 30 19:32:46 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: thinkfan.service: Control process ex>
Aug 30 19:32:46 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: thinkfan.service: Failed with result>
Aug 30 19:32:46 -ThinkPad-L430 systemd[1]: Failed to start thinkfan 1.3.1.

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Fans do not start at a stated threshold... Not even sure they start at all. #210

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Fans do not start at a stated threshold... Not even sure they start at all. #210

fakamaz Jul 11, 2022

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