Fans? Black display?

[ander111]

Hi everybody,

I've just installed Linux Mint on my desktop system, and it's great. I'm just having a couple of puzzling problems:

1. My fans seem to be running at full speed all the time. Is it possible that I need to install some motherboard drivers so my sensors can regulate fan speed, as in Windows? I've tried checking my motherboard manufacturer's website, but they don't seem to have any Linux driver versions.

2. I've used LM's Control Center > Hardware Drivers to successfully install the Nvidia graphic driver. And when I open the Nvidia app, it correctly identifies my monitor's make and model. But when I run full-screen games (e.g. Galaga, Tux Racer), my screen goes black and the display shows "Input Not Supported". I must then cold-restart the system (which can't be good, can it?). Any idea what's wrong? (I have turned off Compiz's video effects, based on what I read on another forum, but it hasn't helped.)

System info
LM 9 Isadora
Mobo: Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe (nForce 4 chipset)
CPU: Pentium D 940 @ 3.20 MHz
Video: Gigabyte GV-NX66T (nVidia GeForce 6600 GT)
Monitor: Acer AL-1715 @ 1280x1024

Thanks, Ander

[ander111]

I've looked around a bit, and I wonder if this kind of thing is still necessary for controlling fans properly in Linux. (I had to laugh when I saw the first line, declaring the process "easy". I imagine most people would see such a technical procedure and run away screaming.) Also, the info is 5 years old, so I suspect it's outmoded now... It seems wacky that such basic functionality would still require jumping through so many hoops these days.

[ander111]

Okay, I've looked around some more and learned you can use the sensors command in a Terminal window. Here's what I get:

Code: Select all

tom@tom-desktop ~ $ sensors
atk0110-acpi-0
Adapter: ACPI interface
Vcore Voltage:     +1.22 V  (min =  +0.85 V, max =  +1.60 V)
 +3.3 Voltage:     +3.30 V  (min =  +2.97 V, max =  +3.63 V)
 +5 Voltage:       +5.13 V  (min =  +4.50 V, max =  +5.50 V)
 +12 Voltage:     +12.33 V  (min = +10.20 V, max = +13.80 V)
CPU FAN Speed:    2136 RPM  (min =  800 RPM)
CHASSIS FAN Speed: 869 RPM  (min =  800 RPM)
POWER FAN Speed:     0 RPM  (min =  700 RPM)
CPU Temperature:   +42.0°C  (high = +60.0°C, crit = +95.0°C)  
MB Temperature:    +28.0°C  (high = +45.0°C, crit = +95.0°C)

So can I assume ML is controlling my fan speeds?