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I replaced a hard drive in a 2011 iMac (Core i7), though it was a standard hard drive and didn't have a location for the S.M.A.R.T. cord. (Or at least I think that's what it was.) Since then, the internal fan has constantly been running. I don't want the fan to burn out, and it is becoming quite a distraction for the user.

I believe there is a terminal command that turns off the fan, I believe by bypassing the S.M.A.R.T. test, but the Google gods are not forthcoming with this information. Does anybody know how I can turn off the fan?

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3 Answers

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You should definitely try resetting the SMC, since it's a known fix for fan issues. Here are the instructions: Resetting the System Management Controller.

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I will definitely be trying this tomorrow. I think I came across this in my research, but I don't know why I never tried it. I think I tried resetting the PRAM with no luck. Thank you – Jonathan Oct 2 '12 at 22:39
It had donned on me that I had tried that over night when I first started experiencing it to no avail. I ended up nuking/paving the os (when I copied the HDD, I didn't realize there was an error and it copied as case-insensitive). When that was done I did the SMC reset trick. Not to sure the exact resolution but I believe it has been fixed. Thanks – Jonathan Oct 3 '12 at 19:10
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I had a similar problem, but i did not solve it by shutting down the Fan. Even if that would be possible, i would not reccomend it. Instead you have two options:

  1. Install "HDD-Fan Control", which i did, a very nice Control for your iMac which costs 30,-$
  2. You could try and replace the Connector from the HD to the Mainboard. Apple uses special 6-Pin Molex-like Connector, but uses only 2 Pins which connect to the MB

I went with solution #1 because it was the easiest solution - the Cable is very hard to find.

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You're right, I meant more along the lines of controlling it, not necessarily shutting it down. I have seen HDD Fan Control, but I was hoping for a more direct solution. This will still be my fallback however! Thank you! – Jonathan Oct 2 '12 at 22:37
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Like Jonathan I modified the hardware but I took out my optical drive and placed an additional 1.5 TB HD. It worked, but I do have the fan issue.

I don't believe the fan is maxing out, but it is constantly on and noticeable. The solution to use HDD-Fan Control does nothing as my fans seems to be running at 1000 rpm. I don't know if that means at 1000 rpm I can still hear it, or if it's a false reading. Any help to stop the fan noise is welcomed.

iMac 27" (i7) OS X 10.8.2

(Also, I don't know if I was supposed to make an entirely new question, or add to this one, despite mine being similar)

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