Toshiba Satellite P70 cooling fan

[JBRJBR]

The cooling fan on this new laptop is running continuously, even when no programmes are running apart from basic Windows services such as Defender.
Is this normal? Will it cause problems in the future?

 

[webworkings]

If you are already having problems with the device, and the fan should really only be running when it needs cooling, I would be contacting the place of purchase or the manufacturer about the issue. A brand new laptop should not have issues.

 

[JBRJBR]

Thanks for your response Webworkings.
To be clear, I don't really have any problems other than the fact that the fan is going continuously and throwing out quite a lot of heat. I installed a piece of software called 'Speedfan' which reports the following temperatures:

HD0 = 37C (I assume this is the HDD)
Temp1 = 68C (No idea what this is)
GPU = 511C (No idea what this is)
GPU = 511C (No idea what this is)
Core0 = 59C (I assume these four relate to the CPU and vary slightly over time)
Core1 = 58C
Core2 = 70C
Core3 = 64C

I'm not sure whether these temperatures are considered normal or potentially damaging. I have read that, for some reason, components do run hotter under Windows 10. Some have accused Cortana as being responsible; others say that Service Host Local System is responsible and, having looked in Task Manager, of all the processes showing around 0% CPU 'Service Host: Local System (20)' stands out and indicates about 17%. I have no idea what this is, but it seems to be what is using the CPU at all times and for whatever purpose I don't understand, even though the only open programme is my Chrome browser.

I wrote a letter to Toshiba yesterday asking for their advice (that seems to be the only way I can contact them directly; the method they seem to think we should all use is some oriental-looking bird who invited you to ask a question and then really doesn't give any answers!), so I'll see if they manage to respond.

I could also telephone John Lewis technical support. They have been much more helpful than Toshiba in the past when I had a display problem that turned out to be down to using a third party AV programme (Avast) which Windows 10 didn't like! I rely on Windows Defender now.

 

[webworkings]

I love Speedfan. So helpful.

You really should contact them about it. Either the program is reading the temps wrong, or your gpu is frying. The other temps are pretty normal, especially if in use. They would go up if say gaming in a graphics intensive game. But the GPU ones really look off.

I am sticking with the contact them and tell them this same info (the temps) as well.

 

[JBRJBR]

Thanks, Webworking. I took your advice and, whilst still waiting for an response from Toshiba, telephoned John Lewis Technical Support. Their advice was to try three things:
1. Download and install a BIOS update.
2. Blow compressed air into the vents.
3. Back up all data and do a factory re-set. If this fails, they will take in the laptop for investigation and repair under warranty.

I have done (1), found two items and downloaded them both, then tried to install them. I received the following messages:
TC501756001 – "This BIOS is not for your notebook PC. Version of ROM file is same as that of BIOS"
TC50179300F – "Version of ROM file is same as that of BIOS"
So it seems that my BIOS is up to date.

I'll find a compressed air can tomorrow and try (2).

If no improvement, it will have to be (3), which will be a little inconvenient and time consuming but, I'm afraid, necessary.

 

[webworkings]

Well I would save the reinstall bit until after you are in contact with Toshiba. Backing up is always a good idea. Even when there aren't any problems, however the reinstall I would really wait on. It can be time consuming, and if it needs to be sent in, it is better to give it to them as is.

 

[JBRJBR]

Well I would save the reinstall bit until after you are in contact with Toshiba. Backing up is always a good idea. Even when there aren't any problems, however the reinstall I would really wait on. It can be time consuming, and if it needs to be sent in, it is better to give it to them as is.

Backing up is what I do regularly anyway. No, I'm not going to rush in to reinstalling, although the technician I spoke to at John Lewis suggested that was what I should do before sending it in for repair (if it comes to that), possibly to remove all my files, passwords, etc, for security reasons. I shall ask about that again before sending it in.
Is it better to send it in for investigation with the present set-up in order that they can see the problem as it exists? If so, I could remove all my files and passwords.

 

[webworkings]

Well, removing personal data and passwords is often a good idea. Anything you don't want to lose and that you don't want seen/known/read/accessed/etc., it is better to not have it there if it gets sent in. As you might not get it back (the data) and/or you might not want anyone snooping.

That said, you also don't want to say reinstall the whole system as you don't want them to not find the actual problem. Which is possible if you make huge changes like that.

Removing personal data is one thing, redoing the whole system is another. Would hate to have them tell you they can't find the problem, they send it back to you, you install your stuff and the problem returns.

 

[JBRJBR]

I took my laptop into John Lewis earlier this week and they sent it for repair (up to 28 days). No problems and very helpful, as always.
I'm afraid I can't say the same for Toshiba. I wrote a letter to them on 7 September, as I can find no way of contacting them directly online or by e-mail. I have still had no response. Perhaps they make good computers, but I'm afraid their customer support service is sadly lacking.
One learns by one's mistakes.

 

[webworkings]

Wow that is bad. Ten days and no reply Yikes. I am glad the other has been helpful. Heres hoping they find and fix the issue. Make sure to let us know.

 

[JBRJBR]

Wow that is bad. Ten days and no replay. Yikes. I am glad the other has been helpful. Heres hoping they find and fix the issue. Make sure to let us know.

Of course I will. As it is still under the one-year manufacturer's guarantee, and certainly under John Lewis's two-year guarantee, I expect that it must be fixed or replaced.