MBA Fan Issue

[alexph]

Hi I have a MBA:
Model Name: MacBook Air
Model Identifier: MacBookAir2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 1.86 GHz

recently I have noticed that the fan is now running far more than it ever used to. I only have to call up a couple of web pages and off it goes.

The fan almost never used to come on, unless I have really using the processor, so wondering what the likely problem is.

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

 

[lucifiel]

probably too many things running at once?

pull up Activity Monitor to see how many processes are running. Quit any that you don't need.

 

[SophieGA]

Tried it

probably too many things running at once?

pull up Activity Monitor to see how many processes are running. Quit any that you don't need.

I also have a MacBook Air (MacBookAir1,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 1,6 GHz) with 10.6.3 and the same problem. I've checked the activity monitor and can not see anything outstanding. I've had the computer since June 2009 at least, and it wasn't new when I got it. But this problem just started recently, I can't recall though if it was after my latest update...

The fan runs on over 6000 rpm even if I only have Adium and Chrome open, and it gets really hot underneath. If I use it for a long time and then turn it off/puts it to sleep when it's really up and running it gives away a small beep when shutting down/going into sleep (not every time though).

I realize that it's probably something wrong with a component, but do you (or anybody else) have another suggestion? And, even better, a solution?

 

[alexph]

No I cant see what could be causing the problem.

I'm lucky in that I have a three year applecare on the MBA but dont really want to be without it, so I am doing some troubleshooting and switching things off an on.

otherwise will have to take it to Apple

 

[stoconnell]

I have Rev B (1.86GHz, 128GB SSD), and I too have noticed that the fan has been running more of late. It's also the summer here and much warmer on average in the house, meaning the machine has to work harder to keep the temps down. I believe that this was occurring prior to the update to 10.6.4. It might also be time to take mine apart and see how much cat hair has accumulated in it

 

[timsutcliffe]

I'm having similar issues. There's nothing going on in Activity Monitor that suggests my fans need to be on, but they're whirring away as fast as they can at the moment. My CPU is at 54º, which isn't particularly warm.

I've been putting it down to the warmer weather we're having at the moment, but who knows.

Edit: It's a 1.6/80 MBA.

 

[lucifiel]

Apart from OP, all of you seem to have the Rev A model of MBA, which was notorious for cooling issues, try to either use arctic silver again if it is an issue, or install coolbook.

As to the OP, having a rev B shouldn't have the same issues, it does appear odd...

 

[alexph]

Hi Everyone

I seem to have got to the bottom of my problem.

I started to switch off programs and started with Virus barrier - no change
I then switch off a program called Rapport, which was supplied by bank and is used to encrypt data between the keyboard and my online banking/websites that I specify.
That seems to have sorted it as the fan now doesn't come on unless I thrash the processor.

Does this make any sense?

thanks