What Fan Speeds Are Normal?

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Level 1

20 points

What Fan Speeds Are Normal?

My fan speeds are (in rpm): CPU-1800 HD-2200 OD-1300

Until I got the Sims 3, I didn't have a problem with the heat of my computer. But after I bought the game, I felt a need to download a fan control software to keep the temps down. I tried smcFanControl, but I couldn't get it to work. So then, I downloaded something called iMac Fan Control. It seemed to work, and I could access it in my System Preferences. But I noticed that it did something strange. Even at it's lowest settings, my fans ran just a little bit louder than they used to, so they are actually audible.
I deleted the program, but the fans still ran louder. It must have left some back-ground information on my computer. I want to get rid of it!!!

I have tried resetting the smc, PRAM and NVRAM, and started up in safe mode. Nothing works.

I need help!

iMac 20 inch (Mid-2007), Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Aug 1, 2009 10:54 AM

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Answer 1

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,547 points

Aug 1, 2009 11:10 AM in response to Doug0301

If it was Fan Control you installed, these are the instructions for permanent removal.
Remove the following files and folders (both on your start disk):
/Library/StartupItems/FanControlDaemon
/Library/PreferencePanes/Fan Control.prefPane
Reboot
Reset the System Management Controller (SMC).
Dah•veed

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Answer 2

Doug0301 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 1, 2009 6:42 PM in response to Dah•veed

I'm pretty confident that this worked. I did what you said, and my fans are mow stabily at these speeds: CPU-1199 HD-1199 OD-998

(These are normal fan speeds right? I'm pretty sure they are but I want to really make sure.)

My computer used to start out at these speeds but they used to gradually increase to abnormal speeds. Now that they are staying stable, I can be sure that you have fixed my problem. Thank you so much!

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Answer 3

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,547 points

Aug 1, 2009 6:58 PM in response to Doug0301

Every Mac model and size seems to have its own default minimum fan speeds. FanControl was over riding them until you were able to get all of the remnants out. Each of the steps should have allowed your Mac to resume using just its default speeds.
I use smcFanControl. I like it a lot. Plus it comes with Spanish as well! The first time you launch it smcFanControl reads your Mac's default fan speeds and creates a default set. Then I have made three more sets with ever faster speeds that I use under different circumstances which cause my temps to rise. Here in Monterrey we have had weeks of right about 40°C every day. I have no air conditioning, only a fan. I have a Hot and a Really Hot set of fan speeds as it gets warmer in the house during the day. Also a set for when I use my EyeTV Hybrid connected to cable television and using an ext HDD as a DVR.
Dah•veed

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Answer 4

Doug0301 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 2, 2009 6:04 PM in response to Dah•veed

I have downloaded smcFanControl before, but for some reason it did not work. It just would not open. The weird thing is that the zip file included downloaded straight to the trash. I put it in the same folder as the other smcFanControl stuff, but it still didn't work. I did unzip the file by opening it. Still didn't work.

Maybe the Fan Control mad it so I couldn't open the smcFanControl. It might work now.

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Answer 5

Aug 2, 2009 6:18 PM in response to Doug0301

If you are trying to open smcFanControl from your Applications folder, this will not work. smcFanControl places an icon at the top right of the screen where the time, etc is displayed. Access it from there.

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Answer 6

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,547 points

Aug 2, 2009 6:22 PM in response to Doug0301

What happened is that you have Safari configured to open files after they are safely downloaded. So Safari unzipped the file deposited the smcFanControl folder to wherever your Mac is configured to place downloaded files and trashed the zip file.
smcFanControl is an app, so you can drag & drop it wherever you want it to live on your Mac; the Apps folder or the Utilities folder would be appropriate. Double click the black & yellow icon to start the app.
It does not appear in the Dock or open like other apps. It resides in your menubar. If you look up there with it running you should see a temperature and a fan speed. If you click on that it is a pulldown menu. The preferences are available there and that is where you can create other fan speed sets.
Dah•veed

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Answer 7

Doug0301 Author

Level 1

20 points

Aug 2, 2009 8:00 PM in response to Dah•veed

Thanks, it works. I guess I just did not notice it in the menu bar before.

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