[Paul M C]

Hi there

Recently bought a new Toshiba Satellite laptop. Only had it a few days, so don't know if this is normal or not:

But:

Whenever I plug the machine into the mains the fan comes on and is constantly running (according to Toshiba's Health Monitor) at around 51 percent. The CPU temperature is around 36 degrees - the machine doesn't feel hot at all.

It seems to keep running at 50 percent until you remove the mains socket and run it on battery.

After about 20 seconds or so, after you've pulled the mains socket out, the fan speed drops right down again to virtually nothing. When you plug it back in again, after about 20-30 seconds, the fan speed is back to around 50 percent, constantly.

Is this normal? I would add, the laptop isn't being used for anything excessive (only basic web browsing) when I notice these fan differences.

I have it set to the "Balanced" power setting....

If anyone can help, that would be great...

[RobinOfLoxley]

Dunno if these suggestions help. (even tho' OP still said problem).
http://forums.computers.toshiba-euro...threadID=65068

Also boot into BIOS and have a look if any fan settings there.

[Paul M C]

Thanks for that....just had a read.....

Thing is, I don't get why, virtually the moment you pull the power plug out (so it goes direct to battery) after about 20 seconds the constant fan is switched off....

I have "mirrored" the settings within the "Balanced" power saving plan (so every setting exactly the same on battery and power"

Just cannot understand why plugging in the power cable should make the fan power up? Unless of course, this is normal?

As I say, runs with virtually no fans with the power socket out - so just on battery....

The fan noise isn't that excessive to be honest - just interesting to see if this is "normal"?

[whoever,hey]

Does it get hotter though if its unplugged?

PSU power management is a bit chicken and egg tbh. By turning the fans on its going to draw more power, which generates more heat, so the fans need to be on. But take the inverse of that, within a threshold, you are better not putting the fans on, if its not plugged in, and the heat isn't generated in the first place.

Fan speed is probably set in the bios aswell.

I'm also speculating, but i wouldn't worry about it.

[Paul M C]

Originally Posted by whoever,hey

Does it get hotter though if its unplugged?

PSU power management is a bit chicken and egg tbh. By turning the fans on its going to draw more power, which generates more heat, so the fans need to be on. But take the inverse of that, within a threshold, you are better not putting the fans on, if its not plugged in, and the heat isn't generated in the first place.

Fan speed is probably set in the bios aswell.

I'm also speculating, but i wouldn't worry about it.

It does feel a little hotter, unplugged, yes..... especially if watching a You Tube video or something...I notice the fan will then kick in and out (as it's supposed to)

Presume maybe then that somehow it's just set to run all the time at 50 percent when plugged in?

[Paul M C]

To answer my own question - it would seem that this is quite normal - well on my Toshiba Satellite (L850) anyhow....

Visited PC World at lunchtime. Got them to put the 'Toshiba PC Health Monitor' on their display model on. The fan speed was 50 percent on this, running off the mains power.

They then went and found a battery (obviously all their display models work off the mains) and once the battery was in, I pulled the A/C power cord out. Within 10 seconds the fan noise stopped - mirroring exactly what mine does.

Therefore, it would be too co-incidental for two machines to work in exactly the same way for their to be any fault, so have to conclude that the fan is designed to come on at 50 percent when the mains power is plugged in.

I've looked in the Bios settings to see if it can be changed, but cannot see anything obvious there, so I'll just leave it.

Be interested to hear from anyone else with a recent Toshiba Satellite laptop if theirs does this?

[RobinOfLoxley]

You could see if Speedfan or other utility allows you to override the settings.

Or snip a wire as someone suggested in that link yesterday.
Wait till it's out of warranty though

[alanwarwic]

It is obviously just a BIOS setting.

If you want to turn it off do it. Toshiba simply plays safe with the setting.
Obviously fan control also conserves battery when not on AC.

[Paul M C]

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

It is obviously just a BIOS setting.

If you want to turn it off do it. Toshiba simply plays safe with the setting.
Obviously fan control also conserves battery when not on AC.

Any idea how I would do this?

I've pressed "F2" on start-up and gone into the Bios, but despite going through all the menu's - I cannot find anything that relates to the fan......

[alanwarwic]

Is there not a Toshiba utilities app available then?

MY HP has a 'fan always on' BIOS setting but it is up to the manufacturer what is directly shown.

I recall that my very ancient Toshiba libretto has an app that lets you control the BIOS so maybe they still also do some of it that way.