bergljot
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: fan noise is ongoing on my imac how can I solve problem?

Hello all,

My imac with processor speed 3.06 GHz, memory 8 GB and storage capacity 4 mb has ongoing fan noise which doesn't stop even after two hours or more.

I have a problem with this ongoing fan noise on my imac OS 10.6.3 and my question is can I handle the problem my self? 

 

Or is the fan noise indicating there is a problem with the hard drive. I am really not happy with this and would be very thankful to hear from users who have or have had similar issues. I have installed programs on the imac without problems.

 

Bergljot

Posted on Apr 4, 2015 4:06 AM

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bergljot

Q: fan noise is ongoing on my imac how can I solve problem?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 12, 2015 9:39 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 9 (52,793 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 12, 2015 9:39 AM in response to bergljot

    The fan could be failing.  Run an Apple Hardware Test:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201257

     

    Note that an error free AHT is not definitive.

     

    There may be applications that are resource intensive and creating heat thus the fan speeds up.  Open Activity Monitor and check to see what applications are using a lot of CPU resources.  You also may have a 'runaway application':

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203184

     

    You may have dust and dirt inside.  Open up the Mac and inspect it.

     

    Ciao.

  • by bergljot,

    bergljot bergljot Apr 4, 2015 5:51 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 4, 2015 5:51 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thank you for getting back to me. I have run an AHT and an error: 4SN/1/C0000008:TPT -- 124 is detected .

    I have no idea where to go from here. The imac is not heating up it's cool but the noise is constant.

     

    If you have an idea and could explain what possibly can be wrong and how to fix.... this would be much appreciated?

     

    Bergljot

  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 12, 2015 9:38 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 9 (52,793 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 12, 2015 9:38 AM in response to bergljot

    The error indicates that the temperature sensor for the power buss is faulty.  The Mac thinks that the temperature is high so the OSX by default speeds up the fan(s).  Your only option is a visit to an Apple store genius bar or an AASP.

     

    Ciao.

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Apr 4, 2015 6:30 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 6 (19,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2015 6:30 AM in response to bergljot

    Question?  Did you replace the disk inside your iMac?  There were a few iMac models in the late 2000's where the disk drives had custom Apple firmware that provided temperature information.  When the disks are replaced by a generic disk, these few iMac models could not longer ask the disk for the temperature and so they cranked the fans up to Maximum.

     

    If this is your situation, you may want to try SSD Fan Control

    <http://exirion.net/ssdfanctrl/>

     

    I run SSD Fan Control on my 2009 27" iMac, because this was one of the affected iMacs, and I replaced the original 1TB disk with a 2TB disk after the original 1TB failed for the 2nd time.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Apr 4, 2015 6:36 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 9 (74,172 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 4, 2015 6:36 AM in response to bergljot

    Try a SMC reset. The article covers when this is required, but doing this will not affect anything.

     

    Reset SMC

  • by bergljot,

    bergljot bergljot Apr 4, 2015 7:25 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 4, 2015 7:25 AM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks for reply. But I'm still very unsure.The  link "Reset SMC" does it actually tell how to reset the System Management Controller?

     

    I have also tried to open the imac to see it there is dust but that doesn't seem to be the case at least not immediately.

     

    I'm eager to find out more before contacting The Genius Bar.

     

    Bergljot

  • by bergljot,

    bergljot bergljot Apr 4, 2015 7:31 AM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 4, 2015 7:31 AM in response to BobHarris

    I have no idea can you tell what an 1TB disk is to start with.  Having said that  I don't think anything inside the computer has been replaced I would have been told. The SSD Fan Control is this something you buy? 

    Hope my questions are not too thwart but I am a bit lost with all this.

    Bergljot

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 4, 2015 7:32 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 9 (52,793 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2015 7:32 AM in response to bergljot

    You may not be aware that a genius bar evaluation is FREE and does not matter what the warranty status is.

     

    Ciao.

  • by bergljot,

    bergljot bergljot Apr 4, 2015 7:57 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 4, 2015 7:57 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Yes, The Genius Bar is probably now going to be the option for evaluation of the problem with noise.

    It is free, yes,  unless a technician is  needed.

    Thanks,  this is helpful had forgotten about the genius free help from Apple.

    Bergljot

  • by BobHarris,

    BobHarris BobHarris Apr 4, 2015 8:07 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 6 (19,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2015 8:07 AM in response to bergljot

    These instructions are near the bottom of the web page Eric Root gave you a pointer to:

     

    Resetting the SMC for Mac Pro, Intel-based iMac, Intel-based Mac mini, or Intel-based Xserve

    1. Shut down the computer.
    2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
    3. Wait fifteen seconds.
    4. Attach the computer's power cord.
    5. Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.

  • by bergljot,

    bergljot bergljot Apr 4, 2015 9:20 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 4, 2015 9:20 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    The error message indicates that the temperature sensor for the power buss is faulty. This I will be able to tell when I get to the Genius bar. 

    Error is faulty temperature sensor as detected from hard drive test. Of course  as far as I understand it,  this may or may not be the problem.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 4, 2015 10:11 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 9 (52,793 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 4, 2015 10:11 AM in response to bergljot

    bergljot wrote:

     

    The error message indicates that the temperature sensor for the power buss is faulty. This I will be able to tell when I get to the Genius bar. 

    Certainly advise the technician of the error the AHT developed.  He will/should run the test that he has available that may provide more information.

     

    Error is faulty temperature sensor as detected from hard drive test. Of course  as far as I understand it,  this may or may not be the problem.

    I am 90+% certain that is where you problem is located.  When the AHT produces an error, there is little room for doubt.

     

    Ciao.

  • by bergljot,

    bergljot bergljot Apr 26, 2015 8:21 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 26, 2015 8:21 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Oh hello again, just wanted to finalise our conversation re van noises. Yes, finally I went to the Genius bar and there all staff were just wonderful..... Nothing was found but later the technician called me and told the graphic card was faulty and needed to be replaced so that's what it all ended with together with the power supply also being replaced. These repairs were all carried out free of charge.... I must admit that I never expected Apple to be so generous since the 3 years warranty had run out but they decided to do it all for free. Very fortunate indeed!

    Thanks for your time, B.K.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 26, 2015 8:33 AM in response to bergljot
    Level 9 (52,793 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 26, 2015 8:33 AM in response to bergljot

    I am very pleased for you.  Good luck.

     

    Ciao.