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thinkpad_acpi

★ 63 Open GitHub ↗

A script to disable the lap mode sensor on thinkpads. Patches the thinkpad_acpi kernel module automatically using dkms.

// repository documentation

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# :warning: I no longer have a laptop with this acceleration sensor so can't reasonably maintain this repository, it has been archived. Be warned that there have been mixed results on newer kernals. :warning:

# Linux Thinkpad Disable Lapmode

During the purchase of a recent ThinkPad, I ran into an issue where I was forced to stay on the "balanced" power-mode. This is because some ThinkPads have a small accelerometer which detects if it's on an unstable surface (e.g. a lap).

Ostensibly this is because some of these devices can get dangerously hot on the bottom during use, but personally I prefer to have control over my device and what power-mode I'm in.

This script works by downloading [`thinkpad_acpi`](https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/master/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c) from the linux kernel, compiling it, and then patching the existing kernel module.

## Am I affected?

In gnome power settings you might see this:

![screenshot of an output demonstrating lapmode enabled](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JosiahBull/thinkpad_acpi/main/example-img.png)

Or, you may see this result from running the `powerprofilectl` command:

```bash
$ powerprofilesctl
  performance:
    Driver:     platform_profile
    Inhibited:  yes (lap-detected)

* balanced:
    Driver:     platform_profile

power-saver:
    Driver:     platform_profile

```

## Will this solution work for me?

Some thinkpads don't seem to respect the changes, they may have some other kernel/hardware level control, I'm not sure what causes this.

## Supported Operating Systems

These are distros I have actually tested the script on.

- Fedora 34/35/36
- Ubuntu 20.04/22.04
- Manjaro Linux 18 (Illyria)

## Installation

You are replacing a kernel module, this comes with some degree of risk to your system. Please consider backing up important data before beginning.

### Install prerequisites

```bash
# RHEL (F34+)
sudo dnf update
sudo dnf install make automake gcc gcc-c++ kernel-devel dkms wget openssl

# Ubuntu (20.04+)
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install build-essential dkms git

# Arch Linux/Manjaro
sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -S base-devel dkms git wget openssl linux-headers
# You might need to install other linux-headers according to your kernel version

# Reboot after updates!
sudo reboot
```

### Install module

```bash
git clone https://github.com/JosiahBull/thinkpad_acpi
cd thinkpad_acpi

# Copy the files for dkms
sudo cp -R . /usr/src/thinkpad_acpi-1.0

# Add the module to dkms
sudo dkms add -m thinkpad_acpi/1.0

# Build the module
# !!!IMPORTANT!!! An internet connection is required for this step! A script will automatically download
# and patch files from the linux kernel. See scripts/download.sh for more information.
sudo dkms build thinkpad_acpi/1.0

# Install the module
sudo dkms install thinkpad_acpi/1.0

# Reboot to reload the kernel
sudo reboot
```

Upon running `sudo modinfo thinkpad_acpi`, you should see the version is set to:

```bash
version: 420.26
singer: DKMS module signing key
```

Congratulations! You've patched your kernel. The lap-mode sensor is now disabled.

## Uninstallation

Uninstallation is easy, dkms should restore the original kernel module.

```bash
sudo dkms uninstall thinkpad_acpi/1.0
sudo dkms remove thinkpad_acpi/1.0
yes | sudo rm -rd /usr/src/thinkpad_acpi-1.0
sudo reboot
```

## Other Solutions

- Monkey Patching the kernel (untested): <https://blog.cloudflare.com/how-to-monkey-patch-the-linux-kernel/> Credit to [@lachlan2k](https://github.com/lachlan2k) for finding this.

```bash
# This is a guess for possible syntax, I provide no guarantees.
probe module("thinkpad_acpi").function("lapsensor_get").return {
    *present = 1;
    *state = 1;
}
```

## Relevant Discussions

- <https://ask.fedoraproject.org/t/what-is-lap-mode/9524>
- <https://askubuntu.com/questions/1416465/how-to-disable-lap-detection>
- <https://askubuntu.com/questions/1416567/disable-lap-mode-on-lenovo-laptop>
- <https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comments/o2h6kf/linux_lap_mode/>
- <https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2014261>

## Licensing & Contribution

All contributions are welcome, and will be licensed under MIT unless otherwise specified.

thinkpad_acpi

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