use i8k causes system lock-up when querying in Dell BIOS A09

Binary package hint: i8kutils

using the i8k utils. causes a couple seconds of lock-up or non-responsiveness in the system when querying from the fan/sensors when using Dell BIOS A09. This is just an incompatibility issue rather than a bug, I think, because it is also a problem under windows. The i8k driver controls can still be used in the command line without causing this problem, or the query interval can be set to a longer period, like 60 sec., to minimize the disruptions. But really, i8kctl and i8kmon should not be used AT ALL when running Dell BIOS A09. The BIOS itself does a much better job of controlling the fan by itself. You can monitor the ACPI temp. yourself if you really want and swicth the fan on and off, but this is really much more trouble than it is worth, and if you have i8k enabled and forget to turn the fan on, you will fry your CPU.

I strongly suggest that anyone running Dell BIOS A09 (i.e. dell X200 laptop) not enable the i8k driver, and not install or use the i8kutils. Just let the BIOS take care of things and you won't risk damaging your system.

My system info:

Ubunty 8.04 (Hardy)
Dell latitude x200
BIOS version A09
933 Mhz Pentium IIIM
Intel 830MG shared graphics
256 MB RAM @ 133 Mhz FSB
No wireless card
No devices connected

$ uname -a
Linux jon-laptop 2.6.24-17-generic #1 SMP Thu May 1 14:31:33 UTC 2008 i686 GNU/Linux

Peace,

Jon