Resetting fan speed

I had a buggy 10.6.4 system, so I went back to 10.6.2, and everything seems to work now.
In 10.6.4 i had SMCfanControl running fans at 2500-3000rpm. After doing a clean 10.6 install followed by the 10.6.2 combo update, and installing SCMFanControl again I cant get the fan speeds down to where I want them. It's as if they are locked to the speed from before the clean 10.6 install.
How can I get them down ?
If have tried to uninstall SMC and then installing Istat instead, but I can't get them to do the job either.
What to do?
Thanks
-Oex

I'd try uninstalling scmFan first followed by an SMC Reset: shutdown, disconnect the power plug, hold the power button in for 5 seconds, reconnect power, power up. Check the fan speeds at this point to be sure they have returned to the defaults. Then, if you like, reinstall smcFan.
To uninstall smcFan: drag the app to the trash and trash these files: */Users/your user name/Library/Preferences/com.eidac.smcFanControl2.plist*
*/Users/your user name/Library/Application Support/CrashReporter/smcFanControl_long string of numbers.plist*
Message was edited by: WZZZ

Similar Messages

IMac (Late 2006) fan speed is 4600 rpm and nothing will change it

I just brought my iMac 24" 2.16GHz Late 2006 back from the Apple Store today and the ODD fan is running at 4600 rpm!!! The noise it generates is way too loud. It is comparable to the wind tunnel G4 I replaced. Any thoughts on how to lower the fan speed?
I took the iMac in on 12 Sep to repair microphone and video crashes. They repaired the mike and replaced the video card with an NVIDIA GeForce 7600GT. I picked it up on 3 Oct.
I have SMCFan and iStat Pro installed to monitor and adjust the minimum fan speed. I tried the usual troubleshooting steps (e.g., reset PRAM, Safe Boot, ran troubleshooting utilities, etc. to no avail.
bill

David,
Looking through my old posts to refresh my memory, my face is red as *I AM* mistaken:O
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4064287&#4064287
I was recalling that Intel iMac users were doing the wrong SMC result three years ago (actually they were doing the SMU reset that was for the pre-Intel G-5 iMacs), and that you and I explained to them the correct way - which is of course what you recommended above:D
Nevertheless, since there is no further risk of causing the fans to race in this instance, I would myself do the wrong SMC reset method, and if it does not work, turn right around and do it the way Apple recommends. This still might result in correcting the problem.
By the way, it was widely reported three years ago that the SMC reset was frequently not successful on the first attempt, so the alternative is to try this harmless procedure at least several times before giving up on it.
Message was edited by: myhighway

Unusual Fan-Speed (up to 6200rpm @ 92°CPU), MBP 2011/ OSX 10.10.2

Dear Community,
I've got a problem with my MacBook Pro (late 2011) [2.4 Ghz/ 16GB RAM (upgraded)/ 256 GB SSD (upgraded)/ 500GB HDD (internal, upgraded (instead of DualDrive, iFixit-slot)).
Since last week I am observing that the fan of my Macbook revs up pretty high and pretty quickly up to 92° CPU temperature @ 6200rpm of the fan according to iStats Pro. This can happen in idle as well as load of any kind. I already cleaned the fan. Never experienced it before. Pretty unusual behaviour.
Do you have any suggestions/ guesses/ tips/ help for me? Thank you very much in advance.
Here's a copy of an (Etre)Check that I just recently ran. Hopefully it helps:
EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)
Report generated 17 Feb 2015 09:56:42 CET
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Hardware Information: ℹ️
    MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011) (Technical Specifications)
    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1
    1 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
    16 GB RAM Upgradeable
        BANK 0/DIMM0
            8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
        BANK 1/DIMM0
            8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
    Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
    Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 204
Video Information: ℹ️
    Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 512 MB
        Color LCD 1280 x 800
        S273HL spdisplays_1080p
System Software: ℹ️
    OS X 10.10.2 (14C109) - Time since boot: 0:14:0
Disk Information: ℹ️
    M4-CT256M4SSD2 disk0 : (256,06 GB)
        EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
        Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
        Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 254.87 GB (32.70 GB free)
            Encrypted AES-XTS Unlocked
            Core Storage: disk0s2 255.20 GB Online
    ST9500325ASG disk2 : (500,11 GB)
        EFI (disk2s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
        Boot OS X (disk2s3) <not mounted> : 134 MB
USB Information: ℹ️
    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
    Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
    Logitech USB Laser Mouse
    Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
    Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
    Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
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Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
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Launch Daemons: ℹ️
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    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]
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    [loaded]    com.sibelius.sari.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.sibelius.sibelius6.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.wuala.WualaFS.KextLoaderHelper.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    org.cindori.AuthHelper.plist [Click for support]
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User Launch Agents: ℹ️
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    [failed]    com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    net.tunnelblick.tunnelblick.LaunchAtLogin.plist [Click for support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
    iTunesHelper    Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]
    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.13 [Click for support]
    Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
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    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
    Scorch: Version: 6.2.0 [Click for support]
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    SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 31 Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    BlueStacks Install Detector: Version: Unknown
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
    WOT
    Ghostery
    Blur (Formerly DoNotTrackMe)
    Twitter Disconnect
    Google Disconnect
    Facebook Disconnect
    AdBlock
    JavaScript Blocker
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
    Flash Player [Click for support]
    GPGPreferences [Click for support]
    Java [Click for support]
    M-AudioFastTrack [Click for support]
    Native Instruments USB Audio [Click for support]
    Xmarks for Safari [Click for support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
    Skip System Files: NO
    Mobile backups: OFF
    Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off
    Volumes being backed up:
        Macintosh HD: Disk size: 254.87 GB Disk used: 222.17 GB
    Destinations:
        Time Machine [Local]
        Total size: 1.50 TB
        Total number of backups: 14
        Oldest backup: 2014-10-28 14:02:40 +0000
        Last backup: 2015-02-15 19:01:58 +0000
        Size of backup disk: Excellent
            Backup size 1.50 TB > (Disk size 254.87 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
         8%    WindowServer
         1%    avguard-ondemand-mgmt
         0%    configd
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         0%    savapi
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    533 MB    Safari
    412 MB    softwareupdated
    361 MB    savapi
    326 MB    avguard.bin
    206 MB    com.apple.dock.extra
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Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
    Feb 17, 2015, 09:45:07 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/NotificationCenter_2015-02-17-094507_[redacted] .cpu_resource.diag [Click for details]
    Feb 17, 2015, 09:44:47 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/rpcsvchost_2015-02-17-094447_[redacted].cpu_res ource.diag [Click for details]
    Feb 17, 2015, 09:41:50 AM    Self test - passed
    Feb 15, 2015, 08:00:51 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/???_2015-02-15-200051_[redacted].cpu_resource.d iag [Click for details]
    Feb 15, 2015, 07:50:40 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/???_2015-02-15-195040_[redacted].cpu_resource.d iag [Click for details]
    Feb 15, 2015, 07:48:59 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/???_2015-02-15-194859_[redacted].cpu_resource.d iag [Click for details]
    Feb 15, 2015, 05:43:19 PM    /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Finder_2015-02-15-174319_[reda cted].crash
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    Feb 14, 2015, 03:43:48 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/???_2015-02-14-154348_[redacted].cpu_resource.d iag [Click for details]
    Feb 14, 2015, 03:39:05 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker32_2015-02-14-153905_[redacted].crash
    Feb 14, 2015, 03:38:55 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker32_2015-02-14-153855_[redacted].crash
    Feb 14, 2015, 03:38:45 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker32_2015-02-14-153845_[redacted].crash
    Feb 14, 2015, 03:38:35 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/mdworker32_2015-02-14-153835_[redacted].crash
    Feb 14, 2015, 10:36:31 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/openvpn_2015-02-14-103631_[redacted].crash

Thank you very much for your answer, OGELTHORPE.
I actually did reset the SMC several times the last few days and also observed unusual behaviour by the use of the Activity Monitor – with no result.
The CPU temperature as well as the fan speed can be at a top level without many processes at all. Happened right before I posted my question just after the last start of the system. Of course it also happens when I run a whole bunch of applications, but even in that case it differs. Sometimes it goes up, sometimes it's totally normal. That's why I called it "unusual".
Any further ideas besides the SMC reset?

Fan speed problem Power Mac G5 Dual 1.8 GHz PowerPC - please help

Please HELP, I have a fan speed problem with my Power Mac G5 Dual 1.8 GHz PowerPC
This is a NOT an Intel machine. I am running Mac OS X v10.5.8
Power Mac G5 - PowerMac 7,2 - Power PC 970 (2.2) - 1.8 GHz with 2 CPUs - L2 Cache (per CPU) 512 KB - Memory 8 GB - Bus Speed 900 MHz - Boot ROM version 5.1.5b1
I have included below Links to download a sound file (.m4a) that I recorded of the fan speed problem and both a .pdf and .spx files of my system profile.
download sound file
http://homepage.mac.com/rep3/filechute/myG5dualsFans.m4a
down load .spx file of my system preferences
http://homepage.mac.com/rep3/filechute/systemProfileREP3-G5dual.spx
down load .pdf file of my system preferences
http://homepage.mac.com/rep3/filechute/systemProfileREP3-G5dual.pdf
When did the fan problem start?
After I replaced the mother board on the computer.
Why did I replace the mother board?
Because the experts at apple agreed with my diagnosis that the major crash problems & kernel panics must have some thing to do with a logic board gone bad. They would not work on it, because this Power Mac G5 dual 1.8 GHz machine is now a legacy model.
What I have done to attempt to fix my fan speed problem? yes I checked the obvious things, here is a list:
1) yes I checked to be sure that the new mother board was the same part number as the original one, and that all things that were unplugged from the old mother board - were actually plugged into the new mother board.
2) all the fans work, I can see them spinning if I use a flashlight and look at them (cover on and off to get at some of them)
3) check all RAM to make sure: a) it was installed properly b) that the RAM worked using TechTool Pro c) even started the machine with only the original RAM that came with it.
4) I installed a Temperature monitor - to see if there was something reading as very hot inside that was causing the machine to continually run the fans at a high speed. No, no heat issues that I can see. Here are the reading from the sensors in degrees fahrenheit, 2009-10-11 16:11:01 -0500
CPU A Die Temperature: 75.7℉
CPU B Die Temperature: 81.5℉
Drive Bay: 68.9℉
Main Logic Board Air Inlet: 64.8℉
Main Logic Board Ambient: 73.6℉
Main Logic Board Backside: 76.3℉
Memory Controller Heatsink: 93.2℉
Processor Card A Ambient: 77.5℉
Processor Card B Ambient: 77.0℉
5) zapped the PRAM
6) followed the SMU reset instructions for
Power Mac G5 (Late 2004)
To reset the SMU on a Power Mac G5 (Late 2004) computer, simply do the following:
• Turn off the computer by selecting Shut Down from the Apple menu or by holding the power button until the computer turns off.
• Remove the power cord from the computer.
• Wait two minutes.
• Plug in the power cord.
• Turn on the computer.
7) followed the SMU reset instructions:
Resetting the Cuda/PMU
How to reset the PMU:
• If the computer is on, turn it off.
• Disconnect ALL cables from the computer, including peripherals and power.
• If possible, move the computer to a place where you are not standing on carpet.
• Open the case and ground yourself by touching part of the metal frame inside the computer.
• Find the Cuda or PMU button
• Press the Cuda or PMU button ONCE. Do not press the button more than once before starting the computer up again.
• Wait 10 seconds, then reconnect the cables you removed in step 2 and turn the computer on.
• If the computer still does not respond after resetting the PMU, the computer may require service from an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
8) ran disk utilities, repaired permissions
9) found a setting in the system preferences that a chat room person suggested had something to do with fan speed. In Energy Saver, under options, processor performance was set to highest, I set it to automatic - this did not change anything that I could tell - BTW I checked my other G5 (a single processor that works fine) that is the setting that that it is set to, and it is nice and quiet.
10) restarted the machine, ..
11) found a Fan Control System Update - but it did not install when I tryed to install it -
12) booted from OSX install disk and ran that disk utility
13) used OnyX to fix disk permissions, clear caches and temp items
Nope - still have the same high speed fan problem. ... PLEASE HELP!!
I have been reading in the MacInTouch reader reports - found this: some one said to use this - thermal re-calibration using the Apple Authorized Service Providers' disk - but that's not available, at least I can not find it - anyone? have an answer to finding this - or can do it for me? I am in Chicago.

The Genius at the downtown apple store said that because it's a "legacy machine" they would not work on it, .. so should I push them?
Well, I personally think that's ridiculous, I'd Push them, I'd call AppleCare & talk up the chain if need be... there the ones that have or should have that Disc... man o man... Personally I'll never visit an Apple Store again in my lifetime, maybe try an independent AASP if none of that helps!..
http://tinyurl.com/ykomqkn
Man-o-man, pop my cork before I explode on that one, if I had anything to do with it I'd close that store.

10.4.6. makes G5 dual 1.8 freeze up and Fan speeds up

Did the upgrade to 10.4.6 yesterday. This morning the G5 froze (no input from keyboard possible, mouse pointer frozen as well), and after a while the fans speed up as well. Hard reset was needed. The G5 shows this behaviour now erratically. It may take an hour to happen again, or just a couple of minutes......
Is there any way i can have a look at a crash-dump or log file to see what happens? Any other idea to resolve this is more than welcome!!!
Thanks and kind regards,
Anthonie

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
The freeze an fan blow symptom has been widely reported on the G5 discussions board for quite some time now, well before 10.4.6 ever came out. Whatever causes it is still a mystery, though some solutions may be in those threads.

How do i reset fans on a macbook7,1 running Lion? I've tried the non-take out battery reset smc method and i've done the cmd-alt-P-R resetting of something. Still when everything in loaded it sets the fans really high and then goes down to normal in..

... seonds and it won't use fans as it usually does. This all happened because i did a clean install while having fans at 3100. Please help me reset my fans!!!

OK....you were using SMCfancontrol?....and you reinstalled the app after the clean install?......did you open Preferences for SMCfancontrol and run the slider that controls the fan speed back to the left? (Apple default speed)......my 4,1 MacBook is about 1800 rpm...

24" iMac 2.4GHz Fan Speed

Hi,
I recently purchased a 24" Intel iMac 2.4GHz. Forunately I haven't experienced any crashing or freezing problems like some users have, but what I have noticed is that the fan(s) seem to speed up quite significantly for no apparent reason when the machine is idle.
When the computer is doing absolutely nothing sitting at 32 degrees, the fans speed increases from around 1200rpm up to about 3300rpm.
Can anybody tell me if this is normal for the 24" iMacs? I used to own a previous revision 20" iMac and I hardly ever heard the fans kick in. It wouldn't normally bother me, but the fact that it makes a lot of noise is kind of annoying.
I have updated to 1.1 with no joy. Currently I am using iStat Pro via Dashboard to read my system performace.
Thanks,

Elusive,
Any luck finding an answer? I have a similar problem.
My Hard Drive fan is running 5000-5500rpm all the time.
I've followed the instructions for resetting the SMC:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303446
But this did not help. It seemed to get progressively worse. At first going full speed only occasionally, then after around an hour of use, then less. As of tonight it comes on when I turn on the machine (after being unplugged for several minutes) and stays on at the >5000rpm speeds.
If you find a solution, let us know.
Thanks,
jp
My setup:
- 24" iMac 2.4GHz Intel (new/aluminum)
- checking stats with iStat Pro widet
My Fans
- Optical Drive: 698rpm
- CPU fan: 1200rpm
- Hard Drive Fan: 5492rpm

Hight temperature, low fans speed. A problem_

I have a problem with OS 10.8.3 on macbook pro retina 15.
When temperature increases, above 75°C, I notice no change in fans speed, not increase.
Only with a external program (the smcfan control) is possible to increase speed and decrease the temperature.
Anyone else have this problem?

The first thing you should do is to reset the SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
If it doesn't work, you may have a hardware problem, so connect your computer to a power source and run Apple Hardware Test > http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509 To start in Apple Hardware Test, hold Option (Alt) and D keys while the Mac is starting.
Then, select your language, mark the option for extended mode and start the test. If you see an error at the end of that test, copy it here. Make a backup of your computer and take the MacBook Pro to an Apple Store or reseller to get it replaced or repaired

MB990 and SL - Fan speed is not increasing automatically

Hi Guys,
Two days ago I changed my macbook's hard drive to a bigger one and did a fresh install of Snow Leopard.
As soon as I installed the SL I noticed my computer was running hotter than the previous installation. Without doing anything, my macbook is reaching 75C (167F).. I have already checked the activity monitor and no process is using the CPU. Now I realized that the fan speed is not increasing automatically, it is always fixed at 2000rpm even if the temperature reaches 72C.. I have already tried a SMC reset but the problem persists..
Does anyone know a solution for this? The problem is the fan speed that is not increasing..
I'm having to use smcFanControl to control de fan speed manually. Before the fresh install I was using Snow Leopard updated from the Leopard and I was not facing this problem.
Thanks a lot!

Hi there... i have the same problem. my temperature gets up to 75C with just one window open in safari or google chrome. I have downloaded smc Fancontrol but ...its not enough. have u solved this problem yet? i'm going in to the Genius Bar tomorrow to see if they can help.

Extremely High Fan Speed

A few times in the past month I've left my computer on and left the room, only to return to a computer that won't "wake" from hibernation and has an unbelievably high cooling fan speed. It's not like the normal hum of a fan, it's almost like it's a room-sized air conditioner is running. The fan is moving (or sounds like it's moving) massive amounts of air. The Power Mac won't stop unless I press and hold the power button until it shuts down. I've read many posts about fan noise, but nothing like what I've experienced. Is anyone familiar with this problem?
PowerMac G5 2.3Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6) 2.5GB RAM, 250 GB HD

Hello, thread viewers.
I also have a G5 (dual 2.7Ghz) which is stock, from Apple, with 2GB RAM and the same intermittent problem of "freezing" while sleeping. The fans are running at full speed when I find the machine like this, though the case isn't particularly hot (making me think the temperature feedback has failed more than that the processors are cooking).
Extensive examination of the system log has revealed no obvious common message prior to this situation. As it happens only once or twice per month and I cannot predictably reproduce it, I cannot guess as to what is causing the problem. If I recall, it occurred with OS 10.3 as well as each release of 10.4.x.
I have run every test I can think of without an obvious problem. I have reset the PRAM and NVRAM. I have repaired permissions and verified disc status multiple times without change (and without detecting any unusual errors). I am a veteran Mac user and I cannot think of further diagnostic routines to get to the bottom of this vexing problem.
I don't have odd peripherals attached, and the ones I do have are usually off (FireWire drives, for example). I have tried several times to ssh and rlogin from other machines to the system when it's in this state without avail. The computer simply fails to respond to these commands, as well as to ping requests. The core OS is not responsive to outside prodding.
Anyhow, I can say that, at least in my case, the solution to this problem is definitively NOT the usual suspects, as outlined above. I am reluctant to give the machine back to Apple at this point because (1) without an obvious trigger or cause, the repair is likely not to fix the problem, and (2) I don't want to spend the time cloning, cleaning, then reinstalling my system for a shot-in-the-dark hope that they'll replace some faulty component that can fool the diagnostic software into thinking it's OK.
Please post any progress made so we can focus our efforts! Best of luck! I'll be following this topic anxiously!
-Dan

Unable to adjust fan speeds after OS X reinstall

Hi all,
I recently had a problem with Mac OS X on my MacBook Pro that eventually led to me reinstalling the OS from scratch. I erased the drive completely and did a clean reinstall using the Mac OS X 10.4.10 discs that came with the MacBook Pro.
Prior to reinstalling the OS, I was able to use the smcFanControl utility to adjust the fan speeds in my MBP as I saw fit. This was a great solution to keep a good balance between noise and temperature. I kept them running at 6000 RPM most of the time because I work on the computer at my desk most of the time. However when I take it to school with me, 6000 RPM is too loud to use comfortably in my classes. I used to be able to lower my fan speed to 4500 RPM, but since reinstalling, running smcFanControl will lock my fan speeds at the max (6000 RPM) and not allow me to lower them. Attempting to enter values manually tells me that I am attempting to lower the fan speeds below the minimum allowed value, but the fans are supposed to be able to range between 2000 RPM and 6000 RPM.
I'm not sure why an OS reinstall would break settings like these, but it appears that it has. Does anyone have any idea how I can reset the range of fan speeds back to what they're supposed to be?
Thanks very much!

Thanks for the reply. Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you but I finally gave this a try and it did not work.
I am currently using the Fan Control application you linked to (as I have been even before I came here) but the variables in that program don't allow me great enough control over the fan speeds. It is temperature-based, which I like, but the minimum and maximum values generally keep the fan speeds too low and the machine still too hot. I am using it temporarily but I much prefer smcFanControl because it allows me to set the fan speeds directly.

Kernel_task high cpu usage, high fan speed, and low cpu tempterature

Hi,
I've noticed that a lot of people have been having trouble with the kernel_task process, but I couldn't quite find a situation similar to mine (most seem temperature related).
Here is the situation (15' MBP, mid-2010):
- on boot (while the apple logo is shown), the fans speed suddenly jumps, and stays there, even if the computer has been off for a while.
- boot takes a little over a minute, which is considerably slower than what I was used to before today
- when finally started-up, the activity monitors shows kernel_task using between 160-180% of the CPU!
- temperatures are shown to be around 30C, except for the mem controller at 40C (still very low temp), but the fan speed is arround 6000rpm for both fans.
- this happened out of nowhere, as I woke the mpb from sleep this morning.
Since then I've tried:
- multiple reboots
- install all updates
- uninstall flash player (some people where having trouble with that)
- empty the system cache with Onyx (reported as a cause of slow boot)
- reset PRAM
- reset SMC
- put some ice packs under the mpb to cool things even further!
And so far, nothing has worked! I've had this laptop for 1 year, and nothing had ever failed. I upgraded to lion a few weeks ago, and everything had been working fine since the upgrade. This really happened out of nowhere, and none of the many forums I have read could offer a solution, and cals to apple support do not seem to yield better results (though I scheduled a call with them at 9am this morning, we'll see).
Has anyone had a similar set of problems?
I appreciate any help or advice you may have!
Thanks!
-Sebastien

I have the same issue (2.66 2010 MBP Hi-Res Anti Glare.)
I took it to Apple Store Covent Garden, JUST within warranty.
18 days later my machine has a new Main Logic borad, heat sensors, top case, palm rest. etc.
I turned it on.
The fans kicked in. All processors at 50%, big ole kernal task.
I took it back, geniuses rest SMC and tested it under load and it was fine.
weirdly it failed diagnostics at first but then seemed fine
I came home. Fans kicked in...
I took it back. Diagnostics failed heat sensors again
Replaced logic board and heats sensors again, but more carefully this time just in case, tested again.
I took it home. FANS FANS FANS.
Last time I was in the store I was told my machine was fine and had been thoroughly tested.
In mac store, no fans.
I erased hard drive and clean installed Lion
FANS
I replaced hard drive with OCZ SSD, clean LION.
Fans
Software update
SMC
PRAM
permissions
Onyx complete clean/maintenace
FANS/CPU
switched back to Snow Leopard SSD
PRAM SMC ONYX etc.
FANS/CPU
replaced RAM, memtest-ed. fine, FANS
gonna try again but up to nearly 2 months of all my spare time trying to shut this thing up so I can sell it.

[solved]Manually control the fan speed[/solved]

To enable fan control, the module parameter fan_control=1 must be given to thinkpad-acpi.
For example, in ArchLinux kernel 3.6.10, add the following to /etc/modules-load.d/thinkpad_acpi.conf: options thinkpad_acpi fan_control=1
Having done so, reboot and you can use the following commands to control fan speed:
# echo level 0 > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan (fan off)
# echo level 2 > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan (low speed)
# echo level 4 > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan (medium speed)
# echo level 7 > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan (maximum speed)
# echo level auto > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan (automatic - default)
# echo level disengaged > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan (disengaged)
If you receive a PERMISSION DENIED error you can use the following command syntax instead as a work-around:
# echo level 0 | sudo tee /proc/acpi/ibm/fan ##(fan off)
# echo level 2 | sudo tee /proc/acpi/ibm/fan ##(low speed)
# echo level 4 | sudo tee /proc/acpi/ibm/fan ##(medium speed)
# echo level 7 | sudo tee /proc/acpi/ibm/fan ##(maximum speed)
# echo level auto | sudo tee /proc/acpi/ibm/fan ##(automatic - default)
# echo level disengaged | sudo tee /proc/acpi/ibm/fan ##(disengaged)

Reset SMC.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Choose the appropriate method.

Is it safe to ramp up your MacBook's Fan speed?

So I got a new MBP 13" retina mid 2014 edition (i5 @ 2.6GHz, 8GB RAM, INTEL IRIS, 128GB SSD). As you can all see this configuration is CLEARLY not meant for gaming, but I did try to push it to its limits. I tried out DOTA 2 in 1080p res and the MBP started overheating like crazy, it was about 90 degrees CELSIUS. That is way too higher than what Apple recommends. So I downloaded TG Pro from the app store and ramped up my fan speed to about 5500RPM and got down my avg Temperature to about 50-56 degree CELSIUS. I was worried that this would decrease the life span of my fan and would need a replacement maybe in a year or so if I continued like this. I then contacted Apple support and they gave me a thumbs up saying its absolutely safe to do this and won't do much harm to the fans. I ask this here again for a second opinion from someone who has been doing this for a while now to bring down their temperatures.
link for TG Pro:
https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/temperature-gauge/id467830521?mt=12
more details about TG Pro:
http://www.tunabellysoftware.com/tgpro/

i was thinking along exactly the same lines as you. that's why i was worried. the first i heard of this application SMCfan control, was from someone who had bought a secondhand white macbook and was using it for some kind of CPU heavy audio DJ'ing application, which he said was heating up the machine a great deal. he had only previously used PC's, so maybe it was something he had used on that platform. I had no interest in this application at all until about a week ago my machine started making a loud noise, and i called apple support, they had me try resetting the PRAM and when that didnt work they said take it in for service. i reasoned that the only two moving parts in the machine are the fan and the HDD. so i wanted to see which one was the culprit. thats why i went for the fan application. I wanted to see if i sped it up and the noise got worse i could reason that the noise was coming from there. Anyway, miraculously when i sped the fan up, whatever was knocking around in there must have flown out because that completely solved the issue!!! since then i haven't used the app to speed up the fan, only to read the CPU temperature, more out of general curiosity than anything else.

Fan speed up after 10.4.3 update

Today, I applied the 10.4.3 combo update to my iMac. After reboot, the fan came on full speed, and has stayed there ever since. I tried an archive and install of 10.4, and applied all updates. I also tried reseting PRAM, as well as the Open Firmware resets. No joy. The fan is still full blast. Any ideas or suggestions? I'm stumped.

it's all right here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301733
it says in there that the SMUs control fan speeds. I hope that fixes it for you

Resetting fan speed

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