ibook fan always on, is this normal?

[Superhob]

Hi all,

I have a brand new ibook 1.2ghz with the 60gb option. From the first minute I turned the ibook on, I could hear the fan humming (even though the computer was cold). The fan stays on constantly, regardless of the level of use. I even tried changing the processor speed to "reduced" but the fan is still always on.

Does the fact that the fan is always on mean that I will get a reduced battery life than apple claims?

All you ibook owners please help. Is this normal or should I call apple?

 

[TLRedhawke]

It is not normal, it will reduce your battery life, and you should get it fixed. Sorry for the succinctness, but there's not much more to say than that.

 

[mkrishnan]

Yeah, ditto that it sounds like a defect.

You should expect that the fan runs relatively rarely, in particular if you are using it on a soft surface like on a sofa, as opposed to a desk (so it cannot ventilate) or hitting the optical drive while doing other stuff (I'm watching a movie and using Safari and Adium at the same time, on a sofa, and it's on about 25%-35% of the time). And that's in automatic processor mode, plugged in.

 

[daveybe]

did Apple cover this repair?

Thanks for posting this. I'm having the same problem lately w/my iBook, and my Applecare runs out in less than a month. I'd better get on the phone to Apple.

But before i call them, i'm curious to know: did you have any luck getting Apple to cover this repair? Or did they say it's normal beahvior?

 

[andiwm2003]

Hi all,

I have a brand new ibook 1.2ghz with the 60gb option. From the first minute I turned the ibook on, I could hear the fan humming (even though the computer was cold). The fan stays on constantly, regardless of the level of use. I even tried changing the processor speed to "reduced" but the fan is still always on.

Does the fact that the fan is always on mean that I will get a reduced battery life than apple claims?

All you ibook owners please help. Is this normal or should I call apple?

i had the same problem on my pb after a few month of use. zap the parameter ram (i think ctr-command-p-r at start up). you will hear a second start up sound. that solved the problem for me.it somehow resets the temperature control. i got that from another post here at the forum so it works not only for me.

andi

 

[millar876]

to zap PRAM its "cmd-Alt-P-R" on startup (on the ibooks own or a hardwired keyboard(i.e. not bt-KB)) antil you hear the second startup chyme.

 

[Superhob]

to zap PRAM its "cmd-Alt-P-R" on startup (on the ibooks own or a hardwired keyboard(i.e. not bt-KB)) antil you hear the second startup chyme.

That's exactly what I did, except I didn't know what It was called. The applecare rep had me go through all sorts of stuff, including the PRAM reset described above and I heard the two startup chimes. The computer has been fine ever since. Good luck with your issue!

 

[daveybe]

Thanks! The PRAM reset did make the fan come on less frequently, although when it does, it still runs continuously (hours & hours). But at least now when I call Applecare, i know what they'll ask me to do.

Thanks to all for your replies!