Problems with old Intel motherboard

Hi All !! I hope somebody can give me some suggestions about how to solve a problem.

First a quick sum up of the situation.

I have a server using an old mobo Intel (S1200RP_SE), originally with 4 GB Ram and 2 2TB HD in Raid 1 and running Ubuntu 15.04.
I received the server pre-assembled i.e. I didn't configure it.
After 7 years of work one HD died so I decided to "revamp" it little bit, so I expanded the Ram to 32GB (the maximum the mobo supports) and replaced the HD with 2 4TB HD in Raid 1.
Then I did install the latest Ubuntu server edition (22.04 LTS).
Everything runs BUT there is a problem. The FANs, the ones that keep cool the processor, always run at full speed and they are incredibly noisy.

I was able to install ipmitool and I'm able to see the Fans and temperatures, they are around 30 C so I don't think the Fan setting is justified.
I'm looking about information to set the Fan speed. I would say that the automatic fan control is not working since the fans are always at the maximum speed (above 20000 RPM).
Note that the throttling "per se" works, when the server is powered up the fans starts at the max speed, then going down (around 15000 RPM) and then when the system load the OS, are back full speed.

I spent quite some time so far looking for a way to set up the speed of the fan via ipmitool without luck, so I wonder if somebody can give me some suggestions about how to proceed.

Thanks
Steve

 

Here are some steps and suggestions to help you address this problem:

1. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

• Fan Control Settings: The first place to check is your server's BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for options related to fan control, such as "Smart Fan" or "Fan Speed Control." Ensure that these settings are enabled and set to automatically adjust based on temperature. If they're disabled or set incorrectly, the fans might run at full speed.
• BIOS/UEFI Update: If you haven't already, consider updating your BIOS/UEFI to the latest version. Sometimes, fan control issues are resolved through firmware updates.

2. IPMI Settings

• Manual Fan Control via IPMI: Since you have ipmitool installed, you can try to manually set the fan speed to a lower level. Here's a general approach:
  • Check the current fan speed settings using:
    ipmitool sensor list
    
    
  • Try setting a manual fan speed:
    ipmitool raw 0x30 0x30 0x02 0xff 0x10
    
    This command sets the fan speed to a lower level (0x10). You can adjust the value (e.g., 0x20, 0x30) to find a suitable speed.
• Enable Automatic Fan Control: To enable automatic fan control:
  ipmitool raw 0x30 0x30 0x01 0x01
  
  This should set the fans to be controlled automatically by the system based on temperature.

3. Install Fan Control Utilities

• lm-sensors: You might also want to install lm-sensors to monitor and potentially control fan speeds more effectively. You can install it using:
  sql
  sudo apt-get install lm-sensors
  sudo sensors-detect
  sudo service kmod start
  
  After detecting the sensors, you can check the fan speeds with:
  sensors
  

4. Verify Hardware Connections

• Fan Connection: Ensure that the fans are properly connected to the correct headers on the motherboard. Some motherboards have specific headers for PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controlled fans, which are necessary for variable speed control.
• Check for Dust/Debris: Accumulated dust can cause fans to run at higher speeds due to obstructed airflow. Make sure the system is clean.

5. Contact Intel Support

• If none of the above solutions work, it might be worth reaching out to Intel support or consulting the motherboard's manual for any specific quirks related to fan control.

6. Consider a Fan Controller

• As a last resort, you could consider installing a hardware fan controller that would allow you to manually adjust the fan speeds independently of the motherboard.

Hopefully, one of these steps will help you get your fans under control and reduce the noise from your server.