OK, no RAPL interface, so can you run "powerstat -za 1 480" instead.
The default mode for the fan is to be controlled by the firmware and not the kernel, so the kernel has no direct control by default. The alternative mechanism is to enable the thinkpad_acpi fan control and twiddle the settings either manually or by software control. By default though, one would expect the firmware do be able to control the fan correctly since that what the system designers intended to be the default fan control mode. If you do intend to try twiddling the fan controls manually, I believe the following instructions may work (but I've not tried these myself, so I can't vouch that they are correct): as root, create a new file /etc/modprobe.d/thinkpad_acpi.conf and add the following line to it: options thinkpad_acpi fan_control=1 ..and reboot. as root try the following to set the fan to the highest "engaged" fan speed: echo level 7 > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan ..hopefully that will crank the fan up to ~5100 RPM in engaged mode. you can enabled disengaged mode using: echo level disengaged > /proc/acpi/ibm/fan Essentially, "engaged" mode is where the fan speed is locked to a defined fan speed. "disengaged" mode can be used to drive the fan faster (I believe there is no feedback loop between the speed and a firmware control that sets the speed in disengaged mode). For more details, see http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/How_to_control_fan_speed -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kernel Packages, which is subscribed to linux in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1491797 Title: Shuts down when supposed to suspend as a reaction to self-caused overheat, session lost Status in linux package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: Error: Kernel foolishly shuts down the computer when it overheats. /var/log/kern.log W500 kernel: [1448.648529] thermal thermal_zone1: critical temperature reached (100 C), shutting down Consequence: Shutting down destroys session in Ubuntu, Gnome, and all applications that can't remember their latest conscious state (most applications). Attempted repair, failed: Laptop has suspending ability, but I can't find the setting for the kernel to make the computer suspend instead of shutting down. Repair suggestions: 1. Persistence of session, so that everything would reappear after the restart. (this would also make updating less disruptive) 2. Do not heat the machine like crazy; speed up fans or slow down processes. (problematic Lenovo Thinkpad W500 fan on low speed right up to the fiery end) 3. Put the computer to suspend when it's too hot. (The problem has remained the same from at least Ubuntu 11.10 through 14.04) ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04 Package: linux-image-3.13.0-62-generic 3.13.0-62.102 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-62.102-generic 3.13.11-ckt24 Uname: Linux 3.13.0-62-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.12 Architecture: amd64 AudioDevicesInUse: USER PID ACCESS COMMAND /dev/snd/controlC0: user 2171 F.... pulseaudio CurrentDesktop: Unity Date: Thu Sep 3 13:42:28 2015 HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=991e1383-ff5b-46c1-84c4-c904e1d81256 InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-12-29 (612 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Release amd64 (20131016.1) MachineType: LENOVO 4063B22 PccardctlIdent: Socket 0: no product info available PccardctlStatus: Socket 0: no card ProcFB: 0 radeondrmfb ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-62-generic root=UUID=bd426989-b545-41b3-97b8-de9410f27aa6 ro persistent quiet splash vt.handoff=7 RelatedPackageVersions: linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-62-generic N/A linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-62-generic N/A linux-firmware 1.127.15 SourcePackage: linux UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-04-27 (494 days ago) dmi.bios.date: 12/14/2011 dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO dmi.bios.version: 6FET92WW (3.22 ) dmi.board.name: 4063B22 dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO dmi.board.version: Not Available dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Information dmi.chassis.type: 10 dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO dmi.chassis.version: Not Available dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvr6FET92WW(3.22):bd12/14/2011:svnLENOVO:pn4063B22:pvrThinkPadW500:rvnLENOVO:rn4063B22:rvrNotAvailable:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrNotAvailable: dmi.product.name: 4063B22 dmi.product.version: ThinkPad W500 dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1491797/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages Post to : kernel-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~kernel-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp