Thermal issues after BIOS update?

Question

Latitude E4300

[I searched this forum, but was overwhelmed by search results, sorry if this is an FAQ]

I have recently started to see overheating issues, where the CPU goes up to over 100 degrees, and eventually the computer goes off. The BIOS shows "thermal shutdown", and another message something like "Fan 1 not found". This only happens when the CPU is very loaded, but my job requires that I load the CPU like that from time to time.

This issues seems to coincide with a recent BIOS update, but I cannot guarantee that is the root cause. I updated to the latest release (A23?). Before the update, the fan used to get faster in steps as the temperature went up, and ended up being very rapid and noisy. Now the fan is turning, but does not appear to reach anything like the speed it used to, and is never noisy.

I read on the web that some changes were made way back to improve the fan performance characteristics. Am I witnessing this 'improvement', or is there a simpler answer?

Should the CPU speed go down when the temperature gets too high?

How many fans should there be? I have seen that some laptops have fan 1 and fan 2, but using various utilities I can only seem to get data on fan 1 in the E4300.

I would be very grateful to hear from anybody who may have had a similar issue and found a solution. Thanks!

DELL-Vikram M · Answer

Hi KenBarlow,

It seems that the system's fan is not working properly. You can try to do BIOS defaults and see if that makes any change:

Restart your system and keep tapping "F2" as soon as the Dell logo appears.
Once the system enters the system BIOS, press "F9" to load BIOS defaults and press "F10" to save the changes.

Also you have mentioned that you updated to the A 23 version of BIOS. I would like to inform you that A24 is the latest version of BIOS. Check the version of BIOS installed on your system first:

Click on "Start" and type in the search box "msinfo32" and press enter, if your system has windows Vista or Windows 7.
In case your system has Windows XP, click on "Start" and click on "Run".
Type in the run window "msinfo32" and press enter.
A window will open with the system information which will show up the BIOS version.
If your system does not have A24 BIOS, update the BIOS following the below steps.
Open the below link in a new window:

http://dell.to/OuZXK3

Go to "BIOS" and click on A24 version of BIOS.
Click on "Get Driver".

Note: Please save all the unsaved data as your system will restart after the BIOS update. The ac adapter should be connected and the battery should be at least 10% charged. Please disconnect all the external devices connected to the system before updating the BIOS.

Click on "Single-file Download" and click on "Continue".
Click on "Run" to update the BIOS.

You can also clean the air vents:

Check the vents on the computer to see if they are covered with dust and not allowing heat and air to pass through.
Turn off the System.
Unplug the AC Adapter.
Remove the Battery.
Use Compressed Air to blow the dust out of the vents.

Note: Do not use your mouth to blow the Dust out of a Laptop. If using a can of compressed air use the can according to the directions on the side of the can as you can cause damage to the computer if used incorrectly.

I will also recommend you to run the diagnostics on your system to check the functionality of the other hardware:

Restart your system and keep tapping "F12" as soon as the Dell logo appears.
Highlight "Diagnostics" using up and down arrow keys and press enter.
The diagnostics should initiate.
It will show up color bars. Press “Y” key to continue.
If the diagnostics fail, it will give an error code and the error message.
If the diagnostics pass, it will ask you “Do you want to run the remaining memory test”. Press "N".

Please let me know if you get any error code and error message.

I am sending you a friend request followed by a private message; please send me your system’s service tag through the private message to check the warranty status.

Keep me posted. Please reply if you have any questions.

KenBarlow · Answer

Wow - what a great answer, thanks.

I had tried cleaning using a vacuum cleaner through the fan outlet, and other inlets, and tried running diagnostics.

The diagnostics didn't seem to test the fan, and I could not see any specific fan tests. Maybe, if the diagnostics did actually test the fan, I just didn't notice because it didn't get up to speed.

Unfortunately the warranty ran out in April, such is life ;o)

I am going to try the BIOS update you suggest, and will be sure to let you know the results.

Thanks once again.

DELL-Vikram M · Answer

Hi KenBarlow, I am glad that you found the answer useful. Please update the BIOS and let me know the results.

KenBarlow · Answer

[Did I say it was April the warranty expired - I think it might actually have been July]

I have updated the BIOS to A24, and reset the BIOS defaults, but unfortunately it has not made a difference. I have taken the CPU temperature up to 100 deg C, and dare not take it higher, and although the fan is spinning, it is not reaching the same RPM it once did.

I appreciate your assistance, but unless you have any other ideas, it looks like I am left with a DIY fan replacement job. I would just buy a new laptop were it not for the fact that I have a dozen programs installed that are node locked to the computer!

Thanks.

DELL-Vikram M · Answer

Hi KenBarlow,

I really appreciate your efforts fixing this issue. Since we have exhausted all the troubleshooting steps, I will recommend you to replace the system's fan, like you said. You can also get in touch with Dell's Expired Warranty Department at 0844-338-1000 to get this issue fixed.

Please reply for any further questions.

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Thermal issues after BIOS update?

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