[Film Prof]

I've posted in a couple of other threads, but I would like to hear from new MBP C2D owners how their fans are behaving to determine whether I have a problem or not.

My own fans seem to ramp up to 6000rpm rather quickly, particularly when I am using the wireless connection for anything. They will go from 2000rpm to 6000rpm in about 30 seconds or less, even though the temperature is still in the 40 degree region. Once ramped up, they take forever to slow back down, often requiring me to put the computer to sleep or shut down in order to go back into the 2000-3000rpm range.

I've contacted Apple, and am due to call back the specialist I spoke with on Friday to determine whether or not I need to send the computer back for replacement. The computer only just arrived last Monday, so I'm still in the 14-day return period.

The people at the Apple Store (I took a trip into Chicago on Friday) were of the opinion that it was the logic board. They couldn't do anything about it, because I bought it through the online store, and replacement parts for the MBP C2D machines haven't made their way to the brick and mortars yet.

As far as what I've done so far, I've done the following: I reset the SMC; I reset the PRAM; I did an OS Archive and Reinstall; I did an OS Erase and Reinstall, and then reset the SMC and the PRAM again.

I'm a new Mac user, so I don't know what else I can do at this point. The fan problem hasn't gone away. Right now I have a Firefox window open, and smcFanControl tells me I'm at 38 degrees with Fan #1 running at 6017rpm and Fan #2 running at 5994rpm.

Reading through various boards and sites, it sounds like my problem isn't unique. The question is, has Apple set the new MBPs to ramp up the fans this often and this long, or do I really have a logic board problem and need to replace this?

If people could share their experiences, it would help me figure out what to do when I call the specialist back tomorrow morning.

Thanks!

[Cold Warrior]

No fan problems thus far (almost never come on). I normally have Azureus downloading, vlc playing a video, and Firefox open. Had my system for four days.

2.16MHz C2D, 160GB HD, 2GB RAM.

[iomatic]

What fan?

[Freeflyer]

Just got my new mbp on saturday, I don't think I've heard the fans come on yet. SOOOOO much quieter than my tibook or the wife's 12" powerbook. Awesome machine.

[Simon]

Film Prof, something's definitely wrong with yours. I'd take it back and have it exchanged or call Apple and have them arrange warranty repair.

My C2D MBP's fans only come on when I'm doing some really heavy work. Below 3000 rpm I can hardly hear them. At 6000 rpm they're well audible, but at that speed they bring down the temp quickly and then also throttle down quickly (unless load stays at 100%).

[markclausing]

Sounds more like an issue with the temp sensor which is taped to your heatpipe (which cools the cpu/gpu/io-bridge). That sensor drives the fans, not the cpu-temp which smcFanControl reads out.

That's why software fixes don't fix anything for you, it's a hardware fault.

[iBorg]

Originally Posted by iomatic 

What fan?

My first thought, too - the only time my fans have been audible at all is while ripping DVDs with HandBrake to put on my iPod. Even then, they're more quiet that the baseline fan noise my 4-year old TiBook had.

It's defective - send it in. Sorry!



iBorg

[kylemacr]

No don't send it in! Demand a replacement. You're in your 14 days, just make sure to do so promptly. The actual Apple Store (brick and mortar) should be able to replace it for you. If the Genius won't, talk to a manager.

[LfGrdMike]

What fan?

[TailsToo]

I've only heard it when I was trying a game under Windows - it's been even more slient than my PowerBook otherwise.

[osiris]

If I push my MBP (After Effects, CS2, BOINC) then the fans are at full speed and very very loud.

For mail, web and light duty stuff, there is no noise. I would consider connecting to an airport light duty, so something doesn't sound right.

[Semstudent]

I am not aware of hearing fans running at all in two solid weeks of use, though I haven't burned DVD's or anything instensive yet.

[Film Prof]

It's on its way back as of tomorrow morning. A new one should be hear by Friday at the latest, perhaps earlier, as they are sending it overnight, but if it comes from Shanghai like the first one, I'm not sure that literally means overnight.

All-in-all, despite the waste of an entire weekend, an excellent outcome, far better than the ones I've had with PC manufacturers. Apple is back in my good graces.

Thanks all for info and advice. I'll be curious to see if this is a more widespread problem. Some people said they had the same issue, but it was resolved by resetting the SMC. For me, that didn't work.

Let's hope the replacement is problem-free. That'll be my first problem-free computer in about a decade.

[HouseSold]

Originally Posted by Film Prof 

It's on its way back as of tomorrow morning. A new one should be hear by Friday at the latest, perhaps earlier, as they are sending it overnight, but if it comes from Shanghai like the first one, I'm not sure that literally means overnight.

All-in-all, despite the waste of an entire weekend, an excellent outcome, far better than the ones I've had with PC manufacturers. Apple is back in my good graces.

Thanks all for info and advice. I'll be curious to see if this is a more widespread problem. Some people said they had the same issue, but it was resolved by resetting the SMC. For me, that didn't work.

Let's hope the replacement is problem-free. That'll be my first problem-free computer in about a decade.

We had a new MacBook ship last Friday morning from Shanghai and arrive this morning (Monday) at 9:15am (Los Angeles) before the FedEx site could even update. Faster than a speeding bullet....

Go Apple !!!!!