Fix the Acer Aspire One noisy fan for both Windows and Linux

If there’s been one overwhelming complaint about the Acer Aspire One, it would have to be the somewhat noisy internal fan. The problem is usually seen in hard drive versions of the Aspire One where the fan runs continuously on the netbook resulting in an annoying whine which undoubtedly helps drain the battery.

While Acer has yet to provide a fix for this problem, users on the Net have already devised solutions for both Linux and Windows. On the Linux side, you can read about a fix here at n00.be’s website. The fix was originally posted at the aspireone.net Wiki but the page got spammed recently. Here are the basic steps listed in the article:

download the acerfand daemon script
download the acer_ec.pl script (download from GoogleCode)
Copy both files to /usr/local/bin
make acerfand executable using chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/acerfand
open /etc/rc.local as root (or use sudo) and add /usr/local/bin/acerfand at the end of the file

Now on the Windows side, you can download this excellent application over at computentsystems.

It’s a tiny widget like application that can be used to control the fan on the netbook. Simply set the temperature thresholds for when you want to turn on and off the fan, and watch the app do its thing. I’ve been using the app for a week or so now and it’s absolutely excellent.

If you can’t stand that fan, then we hope these tweaks help your Acer Aspire one experience.

Written by flung

September 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

19,657 views

Posted in Acer, Netbook Software, Netbooks

Tagged with AA1FanControl, Acer Aspire One, Linux, Noisy Fan, Windows

Viewing 9 Comments

. : : 0nE : : . 1 month ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

how do i do this for windows7 ?

reply edit reblog flag

1

Everett 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

AWESOME!!!!!!

Thank you so much!
I now dont have to hear the stupid fan on over and over again!

:D

reply edit reblog flag

Lars 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

At Ubuntu 9.4 Netbook Remix I had to change the last instruction line from:

* open /etc/rc.local as root (or use sudo) and add /usr/local/bin/acerfand at the end of the file

* open /etc/rc.local as root (or use sudo) and add sudo /usr/local/bin/acerfand at the end of the file

Then it works for me. I don't know if this is proper system administration though....

reply edit reblog flag

Lars 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I'm running Ubuntu 9.4 Netbook Remix. This great application works only if I start acerfand as root user. So it won't work with the guidlines described above.

reply edit reblog flag

IsisnCali 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Great tool for the fan, but is there anything for the hard drive knocking?

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/IsisnCali/ /people/IsisnCali/following/

aceRkev 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Is this the standard hard drive? Mine doesn't knock... not heard of anyone else's doing this?

reply edit reblog flag

1 /people/aceRkev/ /people/aceRkev/following/

skidplate 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Software wont fix the problem of Acer using a cheap fan, and is only a bandaid. The solution (i've done a few for locals who bought them from WalMart and they made noise in a week). Take the silly thing apart (takes about 10 minutes - all the tutorials are online). Take the fan / heatsink off of the mainboard. Unfold the 4 tabs carefully, and remove the fan from the (poor excuse for a) heatsink. The fan blade will now come out of the controller / stator assembly. Clean the fan shaft with rubbing alcohol. Now, re-lubricate the shaft / bushing with a SMALL drop of light oil (i use shaver / razor oil). MORE IS NOT BETTER! - JUST A small drop! Reinstall the fan and spin the blade around a few times to get the oil spread around. Re-assemble. Be sure to plug the fan back in, as well as the touchpad / keyboard ribbons. Enjoy!

reply edit reblog flag

Ryan 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Hi, i have just bought an acer aspire one and i have never used linux before so could someone please provide step by step instructions? The above information just seems like another language to me.

Thanks

reply edit reblog flag

Chris 1 year ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Awesome. I just bought an AA1 and was put off by the noisy fan. Thanks for compiling this info.

reply edit reblog flag

http://www.blubi.com