Overheating laptop solutions

Targettarget · 02-19-2009, 00:50

I've got a 1 year old Gateway that almost gives me no issues at all - except one.

This thing would get so bloody hot after 30-40 minutes of use that it would shut itself off. I would have to let it cool down for at least 20 minutes before I could start it again and then it would only stay on for 30 minutes max.

This issue kind of came out of nowhere, and I wasn't all that sure what to do about it, so I went out and got one of those laptop cooling pads that are like $15. It didn't help that much.

Anyways, I put up with it for a few weeks and then decided to do something about it. I started taking the panels underneath it off in a feeble attempt at taking the fan out of it and either A) cleaning it or B) getting a new one.

When I started to realize that it wasn't quite that easy and I was just going to make a mess of it, I brought it out the the shed and fired up the air compressor with the air wand attachment on it. I sprayed the hell out of it with the compressed air and it's worked well ever since.

Just a heads up for anyone else having issues with overheating.

Blitzer · 02-19-2009, 01:29

If there is not one already next time add a dehydrator to the air line first to filter out oil and water vapor.

Rec4LMS · 02-19-2009, 08:37

We have a similar problem with our laptops. The fans get easily clogged with cat hair. I have to do regular preventive maintenance on all of our computers because of this. (On an aside, we have two kittens that we are trying to find good homes for in the Central Virginia region.)

To get to the fans in your laptop, you have to go through the top. IE: Taking the keyboard out and going down. Yeah, a lot of work. Be careful about using the air compressor. You may end up breaking the fan because it might be too much power. I do use compressed air (canned) to clean out some spots, but if I am using it near a fan I will use a Q-tip to hold the blades in place so I don't burn out the motor.

Eagle22 · 02-19-2009, 08:49

Some time virus cause the puter to do many calcuation per sec, and over heat.

Clean out the mother board, and install new anti virus programs.

Use firefox over IE if you can. Better virus protection and helps keep all those shopping and browsing cookies at bay

Str8shootr · 02-19-2009, 10:51

You might want to try one of those platform fan things they sell everywhere, I store my battery out of my laptop, because it is usually stationary. Be sure and set it on a hard surface. Ithink they are $20, and use one of your ports.

MallNinja4Hire · 02-19-2009, 11:02

Dip it in ice water when it gets hot.

Bohica1998 · 03-15-2009, 06:09

There is an item called a laptop cooler that you can get at Wallyworld or any large computer store. They are about 1/2 inch thick and sit under your laptop. It takes the exhaust fan heat that comes out the bottom of the laptop and redirects it behind the laptop. It will plug into one of your USB slots. Wallyworld has them priced at $25-$30 bucks.

IndyGunFreak · 03-15-2009, 06:23

My Acer would get warm on occasion, but never shut down(as I'd shut it off first). I cleaned it out, and it got better, but still ran a bit warmer than I thought it should. I bought one of these http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...uct_Id=472610# and the problem went away.

IGF

Bohica1998 · 03-15-2009, 09:34

Yep, that's what I was trying to describe, lol!

Rec4LMS · 03-15-2009, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohica1998

There is an item called a laptop cooler that you can get at Wallyworld or any large computer store. They are about 1/2 inch thick and sit under your laptop. It takes the exhaust fan heat that comes out the bottom of the laptop and redirects it behind the laptop. It will plug into one of your USB slots. Wallyworld has them priced at $25-$30 bucks.

I've never had much luck with them. Mostly because the fans are misplaced, or they are of a poor design and don't allow for much air circulation.

However, I will note that they are great for keeping a laptop "up" and keeping the vents clear. My wife will take the laptop to the dining room table, and the tablecloth will bunch up and block the vents. (As often as I explain to my wife what is going on and why she is having issues, it does not always sink in.)

***havensal*** · 03-16-2009, 06:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohica1998

There is an item called a laptop cooler that you can get at Wallyworld or any large computer store. They are about 1/2 inch thick and sit under your laptop. It takes the exhaust fan heat that comes out the bottom of the laptop and redirects it behind the laptop. It will plug into one of your USB slots. Wallyworld has them priced at $25-$30 bucks.

Look closely before you buy. My laptops take in cool air from the bottom and force it out the back. Any cooler that sucks air down would be working against my laptop fans and actually make things worse.

I like my Zalman cooler. It helps keep the RAM cool as well as the rest.

mossy500camo · 03-16-2009, 08:38

This is what I did. I'm a DIY'er.... My laptop is stationary most of the time as well. I have a small wooden desk that I drilled holes in ( circular shape), this is where my laptop sits and gets the hottest. I mounted a fan underneth my desk drawing the heat away or out from my laptop. I also use spacers to lift my laptop up off of the desk a 1/2" or so, so air can flow in. Works for me.

ps
Also DO NOT rest your laptop on cushions, bed, couch, etc. It could restrict airflow from your fans.

BigSexy · 03-16-2009, 10:26

I had the same problem with an old dell laptop. I popped it apart and the thermal paste they put between the heat sink and CPU was disintegrated. I put a new thin layer of arctic silver, blew out all the dust and haven't had problems since.

If someone goes this route, keep in mind the purpose of the paste is not to facilitate transfer of heat where metal would touch metal, it fills in the dead space where the heat sink does not touch the CPU. The thinner the layer of paste the better. If you want to get more in depth, you could lap (basically sand) the CPU and heat sink to get a better contact area.

Wulfenite · 03-17-2009, 22:42

You might also have a power control utility on your notebook that will allow you to set the computer into a power demand mode that will allow it to slow itself down when it doesn't need the horsepower.

hpracing007 · 03-19-2009, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Targettarget

When I started to realize that it wasn't quite that easy and I was just going to make a mess of it, I brought it out the the shed and fired up the air compressor with the air wand attachment on it. I sprayed the hell out of it with the compressed air and it's worked well ever since.

Just a heads up for anyone else having issues with overheating.

I did the same thing about a month ago. I noticed the fan on my 2 year old dell laptop was running non-stop. CPU levels looked okay. I shot some compressed air into the vent and so much dust came out! Runs nice and quiet now. Fan cycles on and off like normal again.

Ralff · 03-19-2009, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohica1998

There is an item called a laptop cooler that you can get at Wallyworld or any large computer store. They are about 1/2 inch thick and sit under your laptop. It takes the exhaust fan heat that comes out the bottom of the laptop and redirects it behind the laptop. It will plug into one of your USB slots. Wallyworld has them priced at $25-$30 bucks.

If you are dead set on using your laptop on your lap, this is your best bet really. Have to find a quality one though. Some suck, some are great. Other posters saying that viruses and stuff can cause overheating are right. The more your PC works, the more power being used, and the hotter it gets.

Contrary to popular belief, many (if not most) laptops are not designed to actually sit on your lap. It restricts airflow and doesn't allow air that should be flowing underneath. Some laptops are ok with it, some are not. Heat can damage your components though, so a coolpad or some such would be a good idea.

Bohica1998 · 03-22-2009, 00:05

Yep, my brother (who was a paraplegic) used to keep his on his lap all the time.

After he had to go to the hospital for 3rd degree burns on one of his legs, I got him one of those and it really helped a lot.

For those who don't know; a paraplegic is someone who has little or no use of his legs. I.E., he was paralyzed from the waist down.

So when he started getting burned he didn't even know it. What tipped him of that something was wrong, was when he smelled something cooking. It was his leg!

They DO get that hot.

zodiacbw · 03-23-2009, 16:16

As mentioned make sure it is clean of dust/hair and malware, as well as keeping it elevated off the desk or whatever.

If you use an air compressor, don't let the fans spin it could burn up the bearings.

If you're ok taking it apart, i would recommend putting an aftermarket thermal compound between the CPU and heatsink. I use Arctic Silver 5 on everything I work on. http://www.arcticsilver.com/

Str8shootr · 03-25-2009, 12:51

I used to have heat issues as well, and got the under pad fan thingy and it worked. But now everytime the vacuum cleaner is running, the laptop gets vacuumed (top and bottom) as well. We have two cats, I just figure it can't hurt. Thank God for XP and newer versions, has an automatic shut off in the program when heat gets to much