FANS
There are two fans in the Tecra M4. The large one is used to cool the CPU. The smaller one is used to cool the graphics processor.
Tecra M4 CPU Cooling Fan: GDM610000261, Toshiba part number P000437960, 300mhA, 3-wire. This fan also fits: Satellite R10, R10-40, R10-60, R10-80, R15-S822, R15-S8222, R15-S829, Tecra M4, M4-40, M4-60, M4-80.
Q: My fan is loud, is that normal?
The Tecra M4 fan is louder than most fans. The fan is needed to cool the CPU in the system. When the CPU is working hard it generates a lot of heat, the fan needs to run at high speed to cool the CPU. When your system is mostly idle, the fan will stop or run at low speed. You can change the Fans cooling behavior with the Toshiba Power Saver utility. See the Processor page for ideas about how to make your system run cooler.
Q: What utilites can monitor or control the fans in the M4?
- Toshiba Power Saver 7.05.06PR (does not show fan RPM)
- SpeedFan 4.28 (offers minimal control, but can monitor temperatures)
- PC Wizard 2006 (shows % fan speed and temperatures)
Q: Is there an alternative to the Toshiba Power Saver Utility?
Yes. Christian Falch has written a utility that has the ability to adjust the cooling method and the screen brightness. You can read about it and download the utility from Christian's blog: http://chrfalch.blogspot.com/2006/04/fanbrightness-controll-utility.html#links