X220 - fan constantly on / revving up and down [ Editado ]

[andyP]

bristiankoye,

please re-post. There's a  bit of a problem if you're using IE9 which will hopefully be sorted soon;

15th March 2011

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[bristiankoye]

I have analysed the fan noise with my smart phone and come to the same conclusion as NOP: The noise has a distinct frequency line around 2.2kHz and pulses with a period of ~5 seconds. I agree that the behaviour must be due to a mechanical deficiency, and in my view it is most likely a property of the fan motor itself, as obstructing or redirecting the airflow with my hand does not significantly change the noise. The whine sets in at above 2000 RPM and is VERY annoying. The fact that not everybody experiences this issue, suggests to me that is limited to certain product lines or subcontractors.

I find the noise unbearable, and I would prefer to return the machine rightaway. Unfortunately, the shop refuses to take anything back that has been already switched on. The national Lenovo support refuses to know anything about the problem. I encourage Lenovo to break the silence and provide its customers with some facts. Are the whining, the pulsing behavior and the "constant on" issue going to be dealt with or are they to be considered features of the machine. My local Lenovo support offers to change my fan. Does this procedure make sense at this point or is it adviseable to await a new series of - hopefully - silent fans to be put into production?

[luigig]

Also my X220 is affected by the irritating fan whine. I agree that it seems caused by defective fans.

Very smart for Lenovo to send X220s with good fans to the reviewers (e.g. http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=6056&p=4) and sell X220s with bad fans to us!

I called Lenovo to initiate a return today and I was asked for 15% restocking fee because this is not the result of a Lenovo error. Maybe the representative I talked with was right: all that happened here, including the deceiving reviews is not the result of an error

Is there anyone that was able to return his X220 avoiding the restocking fee?

[OtherSteve]

As much as I hate to suggest it, this would be easy to fight in small claims court.  I love my X220, but the simple fact that Lenovo seems to not be honestly living up to some of these design mistakes and the obvious need for resolution is quite disappointing.

On the other hand, at least they have responded to this issue.  But requiring a 15% restocking fee upon your request to return is just plain dishonest.

[JameZ]

@All,

Engineering are testing on a new BIOS for this issue and it looks good.

Will update when I have a release date.

//JameZ

[OtherSteve]

Thank you very much for the update JameZ.  Personally this issue has not affected me, but it's great to see others getting a resolution to their problem!

[Tom4048]

I personally have some hearing loss in the higher frequencies, which supposedly is quite common.  I wonder if some X220 owners simply don't know (because they can't hear) the high pitched whining/pulsing.  I don't yet own an x220, am waiting for this to be resolved before purchasing.

[luigig]

Jamez,

I am sorry but it is hard to believe this problem can be solved with a BIOS update.

The defective fans exhibit the whine at just above 2000 rpm. There is no software solution for this.

I am worried that all you can do is to hide the problem allowing the CPU to cook at higher temperatures than now before the fan starts spinning at a speed higher than 2000 rpm. This is similar to what other people are already doing with TPFanControl.

But this is hiding the problem, not solving it.

Can you please shed some light on the solution implemented by Lenovo? I would love to be wrong.

Thanks!

[ColonelONeill]

I thought part of the issue was that the fan would spin at max speed regardless of how cool the CPU was?