Disable Hard drive sensor (iMac) after HD swap

genexxa · Feb 25th, 2011, 11:16 AM

I replaced my internal drive with a SSD and the hard drive fan is currently running at 5000rpm due to the fact that she's not getting the correct information from the HD sensor.

Is there's a way that I can disable the sensor OR set a manual value for the fan speed?

Thank you

Andrew Pratt · Feb 25th, 2011, 12:01 PM

What most people do in that case is short the sensor cable with a pin and tape it up. It's not ideal but I can speak from experience that it does work.

You might also be able to purchase a heat sensor like they use on the optical drive and replace the hard drive one with that but you'd have to make sure you got the right part number etc.

Option C would be to install a fan control app that would limit the speed for the fan.

Google will return you a ton of threads on this topic

genexxa · Feb 25th, 2011, 12:49 PM

I installed 2 different apps (smcfancontrol and imac fan control) and the only thing they allow me to do is set the minimum fan speed, not the fan speed itself.

SINC · Feb 25th, 2011, 01:04 PM

I came across this on the Apple site and wonder if it might not help your situation as it does refer to fans running too fast?

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

genexxa · Feb 25th, 2011, 01:24 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by SINC
	I came across this on the Apple site and wonder if it might not help your situation as it does refer to fans running too fast? Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

Thanks... already did this.

bcode · Mar 8th, 2011, 10:00 PM

I just grabbed one of these, as I'm replacing the HDD in my iMac as well - https://www.applecomponents.com/item...-optical/?pn=1

Replaces the cable that used to read your drives built-in temp sensor with an external temp sensor (like the 2008 models had)... Apparently it works like a charm - according to several forum posts. At $20 it's not a huge gamble one way or the other.

sheamus · Mar 9th, 2011, 11:54 AM

I ordered a caddy to install my SSD in the optical bay, I shouldn't need to worry about this right?

bcode · Mar 9th, 2011, 12:59 PM

If I'm not mistaken the Optical drive still uses an external heat sensor, so you should be fine - perhaps others can verify this info me?

een1bhs · May 18th, 2011, 02:43 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by genexxa
	I installed 2 different apps (smcfancontrol and imac fan control) and the only thing they allow me to do is set the minimum fan speed, not the fan speed itself.

Hey, to control the fan speed when you have replaced the drive, in relation to its temperature (reported using S.M.A.R.T, not the temp sensor) you can use the software at www.hddfancontrol.com. It was created specifically for this issue. Its been working great for me.

broad · May 18th, 2011, 05:55 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by bcode
	I just grabbed one of these, as I'm replacing the HDD in my iMac as well - https://www.applecomponents.com/item...-optical/?pn=1 Replaces the cable that used to read your drives built-in temp sensor with an external temp sensor (like the 2008 models had)... Apparently it works like a charm - according to several forum posts. At $20 it's not a huge gamble one way or the other.

make sure you post back to let us know how it goes.