Fan Speed readout

Batch codes, RAM specs, BIOS settings, etc..
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purrkur
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Fan Speed readout

Post by purrkur »

Hi all,

I am working on a sensors.conf file that will be specific to the BP6 running a Linux kernel >=2.6.5 and lm-sensors >=2.8.6. The file will only include information specific to the BP6 so it will be readable and it will also include comments if you want to add personal touches.

There is one issue I need your help on. My BP6 was unfortunately delivered with broken fan headers so I can't do any experiments myself on this: I need to know what the lowest rpm you have seen reported by BP6 in BIOS, in some Windows sensor program (such as MBM) or "sensors" in Linux.

I have a feeling that the BP6 isn't capable of reporting speeds lower than 3000rpm or so, but that is still just a gut feeling. I want to know what you guys have seen in this regard.

I will of course post this file on BP6.com once I am done with it...
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24seven
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Post by 24seven »

Im at work at the moment and my BP6 is at home.

But in the past im sure Ive measured speeds aroun 1000rpm before; I say this because with BP6FSB you can turn the fans down to stupidly low speeds.
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Post by Dave Rave »

just a quick test
don't wanna burn my fingertip (it dammit hurts)

finger on fan
mbm report 2248 rpm
usual is 6400 rpm
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Post by purrkur »

After tweaking the sensors software for Linux I was able to get readings down to 1600rpm on my machine. The "theoretical" lowest speed I can now read with my modifications to the software is 665rpm...

I found out that both fan headers for the cpu's are broken since they don't supply 12 volts anymore, however the tachometer is still working fine! The third fan header can drive a fan but the tach is not working :(

Does anybody know what components are used to supply the fan headers with voltage?

Btw, my BP6 specific sensors.conf will be posted soon. I just want to test a few more things and put in comments so everybody can tweak on their own....
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Post by 24seven »

Sounds like some good stuff you are doing there.

I wouldnt worry about the third fan header not having a tacho, it never did, only the two cpu fan headers have a tacho.

I too would be intrested in what supplys the voltage to the cpu fan headers, mine still work at the moment, but if they can be enhanced allowing people to use bigger fans, that would be great. (*david strokes his big fans, "It wont be long now") :evil:

Purrkur: Would it be possile to write a a program that does the same as bp6fsb/fanspeed etc.. which make the fans slow down when the cpus are cold and as they heat up speed up again?
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Post by purrkur »

24 Seven: Good information there. Thanks. Knowing that there is no tach on the third fan header changes my configuration for sensors!
Would it be possile to write a a program that does the same as bp6fsb/fanspeed etc.. which make the fans slow down when the cpus are cold and as they heat up speed up again?
Hmmm. That would be fun now wouldn't it? I am not a programmer, just a sysadmin who is doing an analysis of the documentation that the sensors team writes and applying that to the configuration. The default configuration file doesn't bring out everything that sensors can do so it has been fun!

To answer your question: I am not really sure. What these programs do is to access a DAC somewhere that can affect the output provided to the fan headers. I am not sure if it is the w83782d chip they are controlling or not. Even if that is the case, I would have to read up on the drivers to see if that possibility is there. If it is then I will find a way to use it.

Sorry if my posts here are a bit sporadic at times. I got two young kids that take a lot of my time. The free time I get to do other stuff doesn't come at regular intervals so I am never sure when I can sit down in front of my machines again to hack away :) But I will check out the above!

/Dave
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Post by purrkur »

OK, I checked speedfan and it looks like he is using the w83782d for controlling the fans. I'll get back to you on this one...
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Post by purrkur »

OK, I have been doing some reading. I even downloaded and read the manual on the controller chip from Winbond. Very interesting stuff there, but it also raises a few questions. For example, in the general description I found this:
The W83782D can simultaneously monitor 9 analog voltage inputs, 2 fan tachometer inputs, 3 remote temperature, one case-open detection signal.
Notice, 2 fan tachs. In the "features" list I found this:
3 fan speed monitoring inputs
If 24Seven had not given me input based on experience I would be seriously confused :)

It has been good fun reading through the information and I have learned a lot. For example, I learned that the W83782D uses PWM to control fan speed. It actually has capabilities for four such outputs although I think that the BP6 only uses three. All three fans should be speed-controllable, although only you can only monitor 2 with a tach to see if you are actually controlling your speed or not. The reason why the fan heads stop working is most probably because the transistor that drives the fan is dead. It should be easy to find it and replace it!

I have also been digging into the Linux sensors documentation and learned a lot there as well. 24Seven, to answer your question on if I can write a program to control the fans and the answer is a definite maybe :) I am no programmer (I usually do hacks in high level languages but I never mark them with my name because the hacks are so terribly foul). But how does this sound: I can tell you how to send signals right to the kernel to control the speed of your fans!! I don't have working fan headers so I can't really test if it works or not but I am pretty sure that it works. I have already tried other parameters that have to do with the W83782D and I have been able to have the changes appear in the "sensors" program. Let me know if you want to be my guinea pig :) You need to have a kernel 2.6 and working sensors and fan headers. One note though, changing info in the kernel at runtime doesn't allow for error margins so it is not for the faint of heart. But think of it, the ultimate hardware geekdom! Changing the fan speeds in your machine by passing new info to the kernel from the command line :D No programs to install and run, just you and your kernel...

It is possible to write something like a Python program to monitor the temps and automatically adjust fan speeds according to that, but the program would have to be run as root because only root can change info in the kernel at runtime. I am also looking into if it is possible to use libsensors in Python to get around that issue but so far I haven't found what I am looking for. Any real Python hackers in the BP6 crowd??

My sensors file needs a bit of polishing and I want to add understandable comments so that everybody understands what it all means. It is in the works though.

So much to do and so little time is my regular problem :( I have been looking for another BP6, even a broken one to do some work on (I need my BP6 for work) but so far I have been unsuccessful in finding one :( The ones I have found have been on sale with processors etc for too much money. I can't afford to put out too much at the moment at least. If anybody has a BP6 collecting dust somewhere (broken or not) that they want to get rid of then let me know!

/Dave
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Post by hyperspace »

If you want another test computer, I am running 2.6.3 and have sensors enabled. Would like to test out your sensors file, if possible.
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Post by purrkur »

Hyperspace: I am posting the file in the Linux section of bp6.com. There might be a few things that could be changed yet so feel free to check it out and comment!
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Post by 24seven »

Wow you really have been busy!
I shall get linux reinstalled tonight :)
Changing the fan speeds in your machine by passing new info to the kernel from the command line No programs to install and run, just you and your kernel...
If thats the case, then maybe a simple script could get the readout from sensors, then change the fanspeed.

Purrkur: do you use irc at all?
purrkur
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Post by purrkur »

24seven wrote:Wow you really have been busy!
I shall get linux reinstalled tonight :)
Changing the fan speeds in your machine by passing new info to the kernel from the command line No programs to install and run, just you and your kernel...
If thats the case, then maybe a simple script could get the readout from sensors, then change the fanspeed.

Purrkur: do you use irc at all?
Yeah, been busy allright. I just wish I had more time to spend on this so I could do some programming as well. I am a hardware geek and the BP6 is a great board for messing about with.

I do IRC on occasion only. At work I am usually too busy to participate in a discussion and at home I am too busy with my two kids that need constant attention :) However, I use IRC whenever I need to for some reason. Any specific channel?
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Post by 24seven »

server: irc.bp6.com channel:#bp6
Im normaly lurking there from 6pm until 11pm, UK time.
purrkur
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Post by purrkur »

Allright, I will log on when the kiddos are asleep, although I am not sure how that will turn out tonight. Sweden is playing Denmark in the Eurocup so I will be busy :) I guess your night was yesterday, huh? I guess the Croatians were so boastful about winning that they were sort of pulling everybody in that direction. That Rooney is a wonderkid!
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Post by 24seven »

I'm afraid I’m not really into football, not sure why as I used to play a fair amount as a kid. I will watch it if I'm bored and there is nothing else on, but I don’t tend to go out my way to watch a match. :twisted:

But I was busy down the pub getting a new case last night, lol. :cheers: :wink:
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Post by purrkur »

hehehe! Pub is good. Been awhile for me though ;)
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Post by InactiveX »

purrkur: Although I'm not a Linux user, I have to send my props and thanks to you as a fellow BP6 believer!

Well done. Keep it going.
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Post by purrkur »

InactiveX: Thanks for your words of encouragement! I positively love tinkering with the BP6 and it is a great motherboard. It also helps to have such a helpful and dedicated community built around it and I definitely don't mind sharing all these new things that I find out about the BP6. When I first got my BP6 I read the info on this site, posted questions and got help. It only feels right to pass on anything else I can figure out! Now I just gotta find myself another BP6 so I can further my studies and activities!

Cheers,

Dave
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Post by InactiveX »

That's the spirit! Great stuff. BP6.com rules!

If I had a spare BP6 it would be yours for free. Alas I have just one, and could never part with it.
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