Latitude E5430 - Problems with fan control

Just FYI (Terry, please delete this post if you do not want the information to be around publicly):
Afaik Dell has a beta BIOS in place that is supposed to adjust the thermal tables. I've had no chance to test it yet, but anyway:
There's still hope that the issue gets fixed (to everyone still being annoyed by it)

Just got my laptop today and I'm not sure what everyone was complaining about? Mine doesn't get very loud at all and I have the A09 BIOS and my Core 0-1 and Package temps are bouncing around 40-46 C.

Hi Guys,

Any news here? I have a Latitude E5430 with the last A13 BIOS with the same problem. if fan starts it will never stop even if temperatures are under 50 or lower. it just gives cool air. I can use it as a conditioner... And it's really noisy.

Do something. It's been two years for this thread and it is still not solved.

I had a hard discussion with Dell and after 4 changes of the mainboard, the problem has been resolved.

FYI, terry sent me a mail with a bios and fixed thermal tables some months ago. Unfortunately, I do not have access to the machine to test the bios.

Maybe you want to contact him and ask for it too? If you find it to solve the problem, maybe it can be published as a "stable" bios update...

jasonqc, so what did they do? just change the mainboard several times and then some time one mainboard was not faulty? or did they do something else?

just for you to get a second opinion:

the time I had the laptop, the issue was really bothering me. In contrast to a desktop, the laptop is sitting directly in front of you so noise emissions are quite bad, especially if they are unnecessary.

was not what I was used of other laptops. maybe it does not appear with the 5440 series?

Honestly I wouldn't worry about it. I've had my E5430 for about a year now and I'm pretty sure it has this "issue". It really doesn't bother me at all. As long as it's keeping my CPU cool, that's all I care about. I've had desktops that are much louder than this laptop.

pirast, onlycodered, thanks for your opinion. Not sure what to do.

5440 is not an option because price. I'm looking at 5430 because comes with 3 years warranty (3 years for battery as well), 9-cell battery, i5-3230M (2.6 GHz) and 1600 x 900 screen. Price is around 538€+taxes.

My other options are:

E6230 (12.5"): 3 years warranty (3 years for battery as well), 6-cell battery, backlit keyboard, i3-3120M (2,50 GHz) and 1366 x 768 screen. Price is around 574€+taxes

E6330 (14"): 3 years warranty (3 years for battery as well), 6-cell battery, backlit keyboard, i5-3340M (2,70 GHz) and 1366 x 768 screen. Price is around 567€+taxes

But I wonder if this fan issue is affecting all XX30 series.

from my experience, I can really tell you that I love the 1600x900 screen of the E5430 which your configuration of the E6330 doesn't have in contrast. Its a blessing to have kind of a good resolution on your laptop.

cpu wise, I would not care if there's an i3 or i5 inside. Just make sure to put a SSD inside, which will cause a big boost of performance.

I have no idea if all of the XX30 series is affected.

If you have some nerves, you could order the E5430. and in case the fan issue exists for make use of your warranty / or reverse the order.

Also, consider buying a docking station (dell PR03X). its really cheap on ebay and quite useful if you have a display, keyboard and mouse.

Hi Everyone, I bought the Dell Latitude E5430 in October of 2013, but never really used it until June 2014.  Unfortunately, when I powered it up after 6 months unplugged, it downloaded all these windows updates, which I think overloaded the RAM, and it got really slow switching between apps and sofware and folders.  I removed some of the bloatware and that alleved the RAM use.  But then I noticed that the Panels on the left and right of the trackpad would vibrate and shake whenever I put my palms down to type.  It would also shake when I tried using the arrow keys.  I think the plastic casing is touching the fan, and causing the Vibrating and the Buzzing.  Its super annoying trying to think, when there is a loud buzzing and your hands are shaking while touching the vibrating keyboard.  I'm mailing in the computer for Dell to fix. 

Does anyone think the Vibrating is caused by the Fan problems?  Its just super uncomfortable trying to type or program code and think when the computer is shaking. 

For me the BIOS Upgrade from A02 to A16 (E6430) made the fan control problem bigger :(

Hi all,

Did this issue ever get resolved by a BIOS update?

I have a later E5440 which shows exactly the same poor fan control, which keeps the fan running continuously at 3,000rpm trying to reach some near-impossible temperature threshold.

Only way it can achieve this is if you leave the machine completely idle. Hardly acceptable when these are business machines designed for continuous use over long periods

Doesn't help that there is a DcomLaunch service (something to do with power management and/or Plug&Play) that creates a CPU spike of 20% on both cores every 10 seconds.

Good to see Dell keep releasing updates for a 2 year old machine like the E6430 but why not address the endless fan noise which seems to plague all their recent laptops?!?

Making machines as annoying as possible to users is hardly a way to ensure repeat business.  I know I'll never buy or recommend Dell again if they can't even get the basics right.