laptop fan won't spin regardless of load semi- [Solved]

[Stevo]

Do you recall if the fan ever worked when testing other distros?

[j2mcgreg]

There's a mention in the last post in this thread from the Mint forums:
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=383611
that Fast Start Up needs to be disabled in Windows in order for the fan to work in Linux.

[kmiles]

Setting up an admin password in bios (rebooted after for good measure) only let me change whether I can enable/disable certain components like usb ports, the cam, bluetooth, etc. It didn't give me new options to access.

TLP set to zero didn't have any effect either. I haven't tried the Liquorix kernel yet.

Do you recall if the fan ever worked when testing other distros?

nope, never worked.

There's a mention in the last post in this thread from the Mint forums:
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=383611
that Fast Start Up needs to be disabled in Windows in order for the fan to work in Linux.

Welp, I guess I need to fix Windows first to fix this issue.

Now then, I don't know if I can get help here regarding windows or look elsewhere first but I should probably explain the situation with windows.

When trying to boot into windows, it gives me a blue screen with CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED and it'll boot loop until I get to Recovery mode.
I've tried letting it try to fix itself and going on command prompt(in recovery mode) to do /scannow, DISM, and chkdsk. None of these worked.

I don't know what part of my messing about broke in the windows bootloader(?) but it's probably something I did.
What else can I do besides just copying my files off the ssd and then re-installing windows on it?

edit: Forgot to mention, I am having trouble copying certain files/folders from the ssd. Says "error splicing file: permission denied". I think it was encrypted by windows, shite.

[j2mcgreg]

Here’s what I would do in this situation:
1. purchase a new ssd and a usb to ssd adaptor cable or dock
2. replace the existing ssd with the new one
3. set the old ssd aside for now
4. install Win 10 on the new ssd and only configure it to the point where you can try file recovery
5. access the old ssd via the adaptor cable or dock
6. attempt to recover the files using Win 10’s own tools
7. if the file recovery is successful, discard the old ssd. Otherwise set it aside.
8. Backup all your data tp a safe, external location
9. disable Fast Start Up in Win 10 and Secure Boot in the bios
10. install MX 23 on the new ssd
11. download the MX Linux Workbench iso and write it to a new usb drive using our Live USB Maker
https://sourceforge.net/projects/mx-lin ... Workbench/
12. attempt to recover the files on the old ssd using the Workbench tools
13. create a special folder in MX 23 and place any recovered files there (to be backed up later)

[Charlie Brown]

...TLP set to zero didn't have any effect either...

I was expecting that after you said you used it always plugged in , yet we lost nothing trying it out :)

...What else can I do besides just copying my files off the ssd and then re-installing windows on it?..

As you might already know: Start as if you were reinstalling, set language, timezone etc.. next .. when it comes to "Install Now" click the "Repair your computer" on bottom-left ...

In the meantime this may also erase Grub, but you can reinstall that later using live session: "MX Boot Repair" ...

[kmiles]

Here’s what I would do in this situation: ...

It'll take me a while to buy both since I don't have the budget for it right now. I will just label it Solved with your solution for now.
I'll also update the main post later so it's easier for those in a similar situation. What should I change the title with so its related and easier to understand?
I will update the main post once I've fixed both issues(windows and fan).

]As you might already know: Start as if you were reinstalling, set language, timezone etc.. next .. when it comes to "Install Now" click the "Repair your computer" on bottom-left ...
In the meantime this may also erase Grub, but you can reinstall that later using live session: "MX Boot Repair" ...

I will try j2mcgreg's solution first, but I still want to recover Windows on the current ssd once I've pulled off my files.
So I still have some questions:

If Grub is erased after repair, will I still be able to boot to the persistent usb I'm using currently?
(I've only been using linux for 2 and a half weeks or so, so I don't know/understand lots if things yet)
What should I use to flash a win.iso on a usb in linux? etcher warned me that it doesn't work with windows isos'.
Will it try to repair the ssd with the .iso in the thumb drive?
Will it erase everything during repair?

Again, thanks for the help guys.

[j2mcgreg]

@kmiles wrote:

If Grub is erased after repair, will I still be able to boot to the persistent usb I'm using currently?

You can still use your persistent USB drive and you should use it to reinstall Grub onto the SSD.

[kmiles]

I think I should clarify that I'm currently using the laptop booted from the persistent usb and left the SSD(broken windows) inside
to copy off the files to an external one.

I thought Grub was installed on the usb drive I am currently using?
or are you pertaining to the part of your solution to install MX on the ssd?
I'm sorry, I am a bit confused

[j2mcgreg]

I think I should clarify that I'm currently using the laptop booted from the persistent usb and left the SSD(broken windows) inside
to copy off the files to an external one.

I thought Grub was installed on the usb drive I am currently using?
or are you pertaining to the part of your solution to install MX on the ssd?
I'm sorry, I am a bit confused

Your persistent drive has its own instance of Grub.

[Stevo]

You could try erasing Windows totally off the drive once you've backed up any files from it, to remove any fast start influence, but since Live USB boots should be immune to that, I have my doubts about that being the issue.

Did you say that you might be able to update the BIOS?