Fans running at 6000 rpm

[dirgeforfreedom]

My early 2008 Macbook Pro has been running both its fans between 5990 - 6000 rpm. I have no idea why. When I boot up, it goes to 6000 right away.

Am I in trouble?? I got no Apple Care either.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Have you tried an SMC reset yet?
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
Also have a look at Activity Monitor (Applications / Utilities /) and select All Processes and sort by CPU to see what the culprit may be.

image below uses sorting by CPU as an example

 

[dirgeforfreedom]

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4407/picture3ql.png

SMC reset didn't do anything, but here is a screenshot of my activity monitor.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

SMC reset didn't do anything, but here is a screenshot of my activity monitor.

Try iStat Pro and monitor the temperatures.

 

[-aggie-]

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4407/picture3ql.png

SMC reset didn't do anything, but here is a screenshot of my activity monitor.

It’s your WindowServer process causing your fans to run. Do you have a lot of icons on the desktop? Lots of widgets?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

It’s your WindowServer process causing your fans to run. Do you have a lot of icons on the desktop? Lots of widgets?

I thought of that too, but 50% out of possible 200% shouldn't be causing such heat, unless the vents are obstructed maybe.

 

[dirgeforfreedom]

CPU
User: 3%
System: 2%
Nice: 0%
idle: 95%

Temps
Mac HD: 28 C
CPU: 32 C
CPU Heatsink: 32 C
Airport Card: 40 C
Enclosure base: 23 C
GPU Diode: 43 C
Heatsink C: 29 C
Memcontroller: 33 C

Taken from iStat Pro

 

[-aggie-]

CPU
User: 3%
System: 2%
Nice: 0%
idle: 95%

Temps
Mac HD: 28 C
CPU: 32 C
CPU Heatsink: 32 C
Airport Card: 40 C
Enclosure base: 23 C
GPU Diode: 43 C
Heatsink C: 29 C
Memcontroller: 33 C

Taken from iStat Pro

Those temps are ridiculously low. My lowest CPU ever was 42 C (from smcFanControl). Sooooo, your fans shouldn’t be running at 6,000 then.

 

[dirgeforfreedom]

I just need this Macbook Pro to last me until the end of this year at least. You think I'm royally screwed if it keeps running at 6000 rpm for the next few months?

 

[-aggie-]

I just need this Macbook Pro to last me until the end of this year at least. You think I'm royally screwed if it keeps running at 6000 rpm for the next few months?

Why would you be screwed if those temps are right? IDKY your fan is running at those speeds, but those temps are fine (better than fine, actually). You might try another temp monitor to make sure (smcFanControl for example).

 

[Dave Felix]

I just need this Macbook Pro to last me until the end of this year at least. You think I'm royally screwed if it keeps running at 6000 rpm for the next few months?

do you have apple care and within the three years you purchased it? I have the opposite problem my mbp fans dont run but the temp gets high on simple tasks like youtube videos and web surfing

 

[dirgeforfreedom]

do you have apple care and within the three years you purchased it? I have the opposite problem my mbp fans dont run but the temp gets high on simple tasks like youtube videos and web surfing

I got no Apple Care and I purchased this Macbook Pro in August of 08'

Maybe the only thing I can do it just wait it out until this thing dies?

 

[-aggie-]

do you have apple care and within the three years you purchased it? I have the opposite problem my mbp fans dont run but the temp gets high on simple tasks like youtube videos and web surfing

Sounds like you just need to replace your heat sink.