Overheating Laptop

[Detlef Lechner]

Hi svobi & Michael,

Am Sonntag, den 15.06.2008, 19:22 +0900 schrieb Michael Sotnikov:

> > sna at WS222:~$ cat /proc/acpi/processor/CPU0/power
> > cat: /proc/acpi/processor/CPU0/power: No such file or directory
> > sna at WS222:~$
> 
> looks like you have problems with acpi. 

I agree. 
In order to harden this judgement, using Midnight Commander, look into
the directory /proc/acpi/processor/ to see if your CPU is named other
than 'CPU0'. If so, look for a 'power' submenu and try to find there
power states C1, C2, C3.

> Usually it happens with "bad" 
> bios. 

I agree. Often a bad BIOS is the cause that the Ubuntu installer cannot
install a proper ACPI subsystem automatically.

> I recommend you to update firmware for your laptop first. (for 
> example, my laptop had this kind of problem too, but 2 month ago my 
> manufacturer fixed this problem in firmware.)

A good advice. After that often Ubuntu has to be re-installed. 
> 
> To be sure you can check if all acpi-related stuff was loaded properly
> 1. check loaded modules: lsmod | grep acpi
> if everything ok, 

Often other Ubunteros already have tried to get your laptop type running
using Ubuntu and reported in the WWW about their success. Find out if
they loaded the same kernel modules as you.

> there should be acpi_cpufreq, and some other related 
> modules (cpufreq_ondemand, freq_table, etc...)

The mentioned modules are loaded in my laptop computer also. But in your
specific computer type they may be replaced by other modules. So compare
with another owner of your specific computer type.

> 2. check errors during boot: dmesg | grep ACPI, any errors/warning?

A good point. But you will need experience to interpret these error
messages or warnings. Googling for the exact wording may help.

> Or are some some extra (ACPI) installations needed?

Ubuntu tries to find out all needed ACPI installations and installs
accordingly. So the answer is: "Usually not." If an ACPI error or
warning message in dmesg appers, then yes (or a configuration needs to
be changed).

> IBM Services changed the fan and its exhausts already and it still 
> seems quite hot always in the upper 60 degrees Celsius !?

You did not mention if this happens also when using Windows. If your T30
stays cool when using Windows, then your Ubuntu is at fault. If your T30
is hot when using Windows also, then some other hardware than the fan is
likely at fault. Analyze the error messages.

Regards,
Detlef Lechner