Fans on the rMBP, help needed.

[atli]

Hi there.

My rMBP was running kind of hot yesterday (with After Effects running) so I searched online for a fan control software. At first I downloaded Fan Control 1.2 and it didn't change anything at all so I deleted it. After that I downloaded SMC Fan Control 2.3 and found out it also didn't change anything even if I set the settings to max rpm. I deleted that too from my computer because the fan control thing wasn't really that necessary, just wanted to try it out.

Yesterday evening and earlier today I noticed my fans kicked in right after I turned the computer on with no program opened or anything. The fans don't go to the max but still annoying (because I love how silent this computer is when not in really heavy use).

I read that I had to reset the System Management Controller, which I did and nothing changed.

I would be very greatfull if any of you geniuses have a solution for me

 

[Queen6]

SMC Fan control has not been updated in some time, and may well never be. There are some incompatibilities, with the latest 2012 machines hardware, temp sensor etc. Reinstall SMC Fan Control 2.3, set fan RPM to default, check SM Fan Control preferences ensure that it`s not set to auto restart, quit SMC Fan Control and shutdown followed by a full restart. SMC Fan Controls settings are persistent during just a restart, you must shutdown completely. Fans should be at Apples default settings, if so uninstall SMC Fan Control.

If you want to manually control the temperature look at UltraFan, it is in continuos development by one of our own forum members, it`s are far more elegant solution allowing you to control the temperature, fan rpm`s are just a by product.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1214206/

 

[atli]

SMC Fan control has not been updated in some time, and may well never be. There are some incompatibilities, with the latest 2012 machines hardware, temp sensor etc. Reinstall SMC Fan Control 2.3, set fan RPM to default, check SM Fan Control preferences ensure that it`s not set to auto restart, quit SMC Fan Control and shutdown followed by a full restart. SMC Fan Controls settings are persistent during just a restart, you must shutdown completely. Fans should be at Apples default settings, if so uninstall SMC Fan Control.

If you want to manually control the temperature look at UltraFan, it is in continuos development by one of our own forum members, it`s are far more elegant solution allowing you to control the temperature, fan rpm`s are just a by product.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1214206/

Thanks for your info, I really appreciate it BUT it didn't work. I re-installed SMC Fan Control, set it to default, quit the program, shut down the computer and restarted it after that but the fans are still on when the computer isn't even doing anything. Before I ******** eveything up with all these fan control softwares it was dead silent when I was browsing the web and other lighweight stuff.

Maybe I should get the UltraFan you recommended and see if it helps, but mainly, I just want my fans "behaving" like they should.

 

[gentlefury]

Restore to a time Machine backup before you broke it. That's what I do. It's much faster than spending days trying to figure it out. Lol.

 

[atli]

Restore to a time Machine backup before you broke it. That's what I do. It's much faster than spending days trying to figure it out. Lol.

Well I'd do that if I'd have activated Time Machine already and not be working on a work-related project last night and all morning. I can't lose all the work I did after installing the fan control-stuff. Thanks for the tip, though

 

[gentlefury]

Well I'd do that if I'd have activated Time Machine already and not be working on a work-related project last night and all morning. I can't lose all the work I did after installing the fan control-stuff. Thanks for the tip, though

You could back up the job and do a fresh install if you have time at night.

 

[PS65]

Have you checked your login items, too?

I'm looking for the fix - I had this problem years ago, but I cant find the process.

 

[Queen6]

Thanks for your info, I really appreciate it BUT it didn't work. I re-installed SMC Fan Control, set it to default, quit the program, shut down the computer and restarted it after that but the fans are still on when the computer isn't even doing anything. Before I ******** eveything up with all these fan control softwares it was dead silent when I was browsing the web and other lighweight stuff.

Maybe I should get the UltraFan you recommended and see if it helps, but mainly, I just want my fans "behaving" like they should.

Unusual, SMC Fan Control is just an app, once you close it and shutdown all settings should be at default. You may have to play about with the fan rpm, manually increasing and decreasing then set to default, your looking to see a change in the fan rpm`, or set to say 4K then quit SMC Fan Control, however it was never written for the Retina`s hardware nor Mountain Lion. i have it installed and have used it with no apparent issue on my Late 2011 15" MBP 2.4 i7. So far i have been reluctant to run any such fan control app on the Retina - of any at present UltraFan should pose no problem, as once again it`s simply an app reading data from the SMC.

If this doesn't work you need to set the respective fan rpm`s to 2K manually, with SMC FC, from the sound of things your machine may just have a corrupted file.

I would gain control of the fans prior to load any more software as it will likely only add more complexity.

 

[atli]

Have you checked your login items, too?

I'm looking for the fix - I had this problem years ago, but I cant find the process.

I'm sorry if I sound like a complete idiot but what are "login items"?

 

[Queen6]

I'm sorry if I sound like a complete idiot but what are "login items"?

Go to System Preferences, Users and Groups, you will then see the Login Items tab.

If you ucheck launch at start up from within SMC FC it should not be listed in the Log in Items if it`s present simply remove it by highlighting and hitting the "-" button

 

[atli]

Go to System Preferences, Users and Groups, you will then see the Login Items tab.

If you ucheck launch at start up from within SMC FC it should not be listed in the Log in Items if it`s present simply remove it by highlighting and hitting the "-" button

I checked the Login Items and there was no SMC FC.

@gentlefury, I really don't want to do a fresh install unless I have no other options. I'll keep it in mind

Queen6, you mentioned earlier something about corrupt files. Please elaborate if you have the time

 

[PS65]

I checked the Login Items and there was no SMC FC.

@gentlefury, I really don't want to do a fresh install unless I have no other options. I'll keep it in mind

Queen6, you mentioned earlier something about corrupt files. Please elaborate if you have the time

Can I make a suggestion. Install SMS Fan Control again.

Install AppCleaner

Delete SMS Fan Control using AppCleaner.

Reset your computer's PRAM and SMC.

And see what happens...

 

[atli]

I FOUND THE CURE!
I did what Queen6 told me in his first reply BUT not with SMC Fan Control but Fan Control 1.2. I re-installed that program and saw the base-rpm was 3500 at default! 3500 is if course way higher than the normal base mode so I lowered it all the way down and *then* I deleted it.

It seems everythings back to the good ol' silent times.


Thanks everybody for the suggestions, it's really great to know I can count on you guys and gals if I get myself into trouble again.

 

[Queen6]

Good new, sorry i should have said that you need to use the version that initiated the change in fan rpm`s. If you still want to try to manually control temperatures, UltraFan is the one i would recommend as it`s being developed with the help of forum members and the Dev gives great response, however bear in mind the app is still in Beta.

If you are concerned with the temperatures and want to reduce them elevation of the rear of the machine helps, as sitting flat on the desk only reflects the head back to the base of the Mac. You can buy passive aluminium coolers like Rain Designs Mstand or iLap. Most powered coolers are designed for PC notebooks and dont work overly well with Mac`s one cooler that does work efficiently is the Moshi Zefyr 2, as it`s principle of cooling is specifically designed for Apple portables, by blowing the air horizontally across the base of the computer, however don't expect miracles.

Link: Moshi Zefyr 2

You can use software to override Apple`s own cooling algorithm by manually taking control of fan RPM and setting up power profile presets with SMC Fan Control 2.3 (needs update for 2012, temp sensor presently not recognised), or you can look at UltraFan which allows you stipulate a preset temperature and the software will automatically raise and lower fan RPM`s to keep the system at the predefined temp, which i personally feel is a far more elegant solution, at the end of the day you want to control your system temperature, not your fan rpm`s.

Strictly speaking Apple`s own cooling algorithm works, albeit at sacrifice of increased temps for quieter operation, this has always been the Apple way and is really nothing detrimental to the systems, i have one MBP from 2008 all original barring a recent fan change that has an uptime of over 30K hours. The latest MBP`s need less assistance in remaining cool; for some it`s simply disconcerting the heat generated and transferred to the case, although it`s perfectly normal as the aluminium acts as a heat-sync. i have to deal with elevated ambient temperature so at times a software solution is useful. Apart from the passive cooling the Mstands bring they also offer a very sound ergonomic solution.

High temperature in general is not overly harmful to your systems, what is far more detrimental is thermal stress, when temperatures rapidly fluctuate by significant margins in a short period of time. Anyone striving for longevity should look to minimise rapid fluctuation of temperature.

The old adage still applies; it`s easier to keep a system cool, than cool-down an already hot machine. This being said it`s not strictly necessary, equally it`s nice to know that there are options for reducing temperature.