Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by mishou
I. Installing mbpfan
This is an enhanced version of Allan McRae mbpfan
mbpfan is a daemon that uses input from coretemp module and sets the fan speed using the applesmc module. This enhanced version assumes any number of processors and fans (max. 10).
It only uses the temperatures from the processors as input.
It requires coretemp and applesmc kernel modules to be loaded.
It requires root use
It daemonizes or stays in foreground
Verbose mode for both syslog and stdout
Users can configure it using the file /etc/mbpfan.conf
https://github.com/linux-on-mac/mbpfan
You have to load coretempt before installing mbpfa as described above.
I tell ChatGPT to show how to load coretempt. Here is its reply:
I installed mbpfan using Add/Remove Software.
II. What caused the fan to run at full throttle
I asked ChatGPT to help me and typed:
My “mbpfa.conf” is ”
min_fan1_speed = 1299 # put the lowest value of “cat /sys/devices/platform/applesmc.768/fan*_min”
max_fan1_speed = 6199 # put the *highest* value of “cat /sys/devices/platform/applesmc.768/fan*_max”
temperature units in celcius
low_temp = 63 # if temperature is below this, fans will run at minimum speed
high_temp = 66 # if temperature is above this, fan speed will gradually increase
max_temp = 86 # if temperature is above this, fans will run at maximum speed
polling_interval = 1 # default is 1 seconds.
When I run "sudo systemctl restart mbpfan.service”, the fan slowed down for a few seconds. But the fun began to run at full speed soon again. Do you have any suggestions to fix it?
ChatGPT replied:
If the fan runs slower for a few seconds after restarting the mbpfan service but then goes back to running at full speed, there may be a conflict or another process overriding the fan control settings.
Here are a few suggestions to help resolve the issue:
1.Check for other fan control software: Make sure there are no other fan control utilities or services running on your system that may conflict with mbpfan. These utilities could be overriding the fan settings and causing the fan to run at full speed. You can check the list of running processes or services to identify any conflicting software.
2.Verify sensor readings: Double-check the sensor readings from the sensors command output you provided earlier. Ensure that the temperatures reported by the sensors are accurate and match the temperature thresholds specified in the mbpfan.conf file. If the sensor readings are incorrect or inconsistent, it could cause the fan control to behave unexpectedly.
3.Update mbpfan and kernel modules: Ensure that you have the latest version of mbpfan installed on your system. You can check for updates using your package manager (pacman, apt, etc.). Additionally, consider updating your kernel and associated modules to the latest available version. Newer versions may provide better compatibility and support for fan control.
4.Check log files: Check the system log files (/var/log/syslog, /var/log/messages, etc.) for any error messages or warnings related to fan control or the mbpfan service. These log files might provide valuable information about any issues or conflicts affecting the fan control.
5.Seek community support: Since you are using Garuda Linux, it might be helpful to reach out to the Garuda Linux community or forums for further assistance. Other users may have encountered similar issues and could provide specific guidance or solutions for your setup.
By following these suggestions, you should be able to troubleshoot the issue and resolve the fan speed problem. Remember to exercise caution when making changes to system files and always create backups before modifying any configuration files.
III. How to check for other fan control software
I typed:
Tell me how to check for other fan control software in Garuda Linux on iMac.
ChatGPT replied:
I checked following the ChatGPT’s suggestions and found that I have two fan control daemons installed: macfanctld and mbpfan and both processes are running. And I deleted macfanctld and the fan works normally.