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Asked: 2024-09-23T15:38:54+05:30 In: , ,

How can I manage fan speed on an iMac running Lubuntu 20.04?

I’ve been diving into the world of Linux on my iMac, and I’m having a bit of trouble managing the fan speed now that I’ve installed Lubuntu 20.04. I’m not overly familiar with Linux terminal commands, and let me tell you, this whole fan thing is driving me a bit nuts.

So, here’s the situation: I recently switched from macOS to Lubuntu because I wanted something lighter and faster for my older iMac. Everything’s been great, but I’ve noticed that the fans are running at full speed way more often than I would like. Some days, it sounds like a jet taking off, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s a normal thing or if there’s a way to tweak it because I’m not doing any heavy lifting—just browsing and maybe streaming a bit.

I’ve read a few threads about using `lm-sensors` to check the temperature and fan speeds, which sounds cool, but I’m a bit lost on how to get started. Do I need to install that first? And what about the fan control? There are some tools like `fancontrol` and `i8kutils`, but I’m unsure if they’re compatible with my hardware or how to set them up without messing everything up. Plus, I’ve seen some people mention something about editing config files, and honestly, that sounds a bit scary to me.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Any step-by-step guides you could share would be amazing! Also, are there any specific commands you use or settings you’ve found work best for managing fan speeds? I really want to avoid my iMac sounding like a spaceship, especially when I’m just doing basic tasks. I’m excited to learn, but I could really use some guidance here. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out! It’s a bit stressful trying not to overheat my machine, you know?

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    2 Answers

    1. I totally understand your struggles with fan noise on your iMac running Lubuntu. It can be really frustrating, especially when you’re just doing light tasks like browsing or streaming. Here’s a guide to help you manage your fan speeds more effectively without getting too technical.

      Step 1: Install lm-sensors

      First, we need to install lm-sensors. Open your terminal and type the following command:

      sudo apt update && sudo apt install lm-sensors

      This will update your package list and install the necessary sensors package. Once it’s done, you need to configure it:

      sudo sensors-detect

      Just follow the prompts. Usually, you can just hit Enter to go with the defaults unless it asks something specific about your hardware.

      Step 2: Check Your Temperatures

      Now that you have lm-sensors set up, check the temperatures and fan speeds with:

      sensors

      This will give you a readout of your current CPU temperatures and fan speeds. If everything looks alright and you’re just doing light tasks, that might be all you need.

      Step 3: Install FanControl

      If you feel the need to tweak the fan speeds, you might want to try fancontrol. Install it by running:

      sudo apt install fancontrol

      After it installs, you can configure it:

      sudo pwmconfig

      This script will test your fans and create a configuration file based on what it detects. Follow the instructions, and try to answer yes or no based on how you want to configure it.

      Step 4: Managing Configuration Files

      Fan control settings can be a bit tricky, as they live in a config file you might need to edit. If you’re not comfortable with text files, just back them up first! The config file is usually located at /etc/fancontrol.

      You can edit it with a text editor, like:

      sudo nano /etc/fancontrol

      Adjust the thresholds for fan speeds based on temperatures. For instance, you can set a higher temp before the fans kick into high gear.

      Step 5: Starting FanControl

      Once you’re done configuring, start the fancontrol service:

      sudo service fancontrol start

      And if you want it to start at boot, use:

      sudo systemctl enable fancontrol

      Final Thoughts

      Don’t hesitate to ask for help or search for specific guides for your iMac model! Different hardware can behave differently, so the community can be a big help. And remember, it’s really about balancing your needs to keep your iMac cool while keeping it quiet. Good luck, and don’t stress too much about it! You’ll get the hang of it.


    2. To manage the fan speeds on your iMac running Lubuntu 20.04, the first step is to install `lm-sensors`, which will help you monitor your system’s temperatures and fan speeds. You can do this through the terminal by running the following commands:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install lm-sensors
sensors-detect

      Follow the prompts in `sensors-detect` carefully; it will guide you through detecting the necessary sensors for your hardware. After completing this, you can simply run the `sensors` command to check the current temperature and fan speed readings. If you find that your fans are still spinning too fast, you can install `fancontrol` to manage fan speeds more effectively. Install it with:

      sudo apt install fancontrol

      Once installed, you will have to configure it. Use the command `sudo pwmconfig` to set it up, which will help you adjust the fan speed settings based on temperature readings. This process involves editing a configuration file, but the script will guide you through setting fan speed thresholds according to the temperature. If you feel apprehensive about editing configuration files, take extra care when following the prompts from `pwmconfig`, and feel free to back up any files you’re prompted to modify. After setting this up, you should have better control over your iMac’s fan noise while performing basic tasks.


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