View Full Version : Overheating laptop
joe2812
21st Mar 2006, 23:23
I've been using my laptop here at Uni and since i've been here i've noticed alot of dust and crap collecting underneath in the air vents, which I have to regularly blow out.
The room has rubbish ventilation which has resulted in everything getting caked in deoderant mainly. It's not 'cos i'm a dirty bugger who doesn't clean...
The laptop is getting very hot very quickly, the USB connectors at the back get very hot (Flash sticks, USB mouse etc), and the fans go into overdrive, making it sound like it's about to take off. Also it's a bit slow, could it be due to the overheating?
The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 9100, which after reading the odd bit of info on it i've discovered it has quite a big cooling unit.
My question is, how do I go about cleaning the laptop out? Does it sound like this is the problem i'm having? And is there any way to have it cleaned out by someone who knows what they're doing, as i'd be a bit reluctant to open the thing up myself.
Any advice on it would be much appreciated.
airborne_artist
22nd Mar 2006, 06:02
Joe
It may not be the environment - the 9100 seems to have a design/build problem. Read this article. (http://www.laptopshowcase.co.uk/reviews.php?id=72)
One solution is to use a can of compressed air. Do you know any sub-aqua enthusiasts?
Azure
22nd Mar 2006, 19:05
My daughter works for a store that sells computers and just last week happened to see a returned laptop that got sooo hot that some keys actually melted and shrunk to half their size! :uhoh: Luckily the person had the extra warranty and they gave him a brand new one. Not sure I'd leave a laptop running hours on end unsupervised. A few papers around and who knows, could come home to a pile of rubble that was your home.
Also makes you wonder who's building these things? :hmm:
hobie
22nd Mar 2006, 19:24
If you have this machine, update the bios to A06 to take care of some fan issues and as one said earlier, keep it clean! Get a can of compressed air and blow out the heat sinks as regular maintenance. Be sure to blow out the fan intakes in addition to the heat sinks. I usually just put my hand behind the exhaust ports to feel how much air is coming out and know when it's time to blow them out.
(upgrade your bios if you have fan problems, there is a known fix)
the above were from users with heating problems ....
Saab Dastard
22nd Mar 2006, 21:26
Joe,
I watched one of the support engineers where I work cleaning out a Compaq laptop today that was running "hot, loud and slow". I saw the amount of fluff that came out of it - lumps of dust the size of my thumbs!
Without dismantling it I don't know if compressed air will help much - I'd have thought that a powerful vacuum might actually shift more dust out of the case than simply wedging it in further by blowing!
Conan the Librarian
22nd Mar 2006, 23:42
I think it is time for a thorough clean. If you aren't confident yourself, then get a local specialist to remove the bumfluff. It will be much cheaper in the long run. A major cause of this problem, is by setting the laptop upon one's lap. The sh1te, gets drawn up so easily. At home, there are solutions to the prob like a laptop riser. This is a USB powered and angled rest, which will blow air into it and keep it cooler than before. They are cheap, too.
Conan
SoundByDesign
23rd Mar 2006, 01:48
Try putting a couple of erasers [same size] under the back of the laptop base thus creating a ventilated space under your machine to assist in cooling.
A hoover on low suction helps to remove the dust inside any grills.
rugmuncher
23rd Mar 2006, 19:19
Get yer'self a http://www.lakelandlimited.co.uk/product.aspx/!20033
hobie
23rd Mar 2006, 19:25
sorry, this is now sold out
Bugger ..... :{
but try this Google ..... there are lots of these Coolers around ....
http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=laptop+cooler&meta=
A vacuum cleaner is fine but use a paperclip or similar to immobilise the fan blade. The Hoover will accelerate the damn thing beyond its design limits and either stuff it or make it very wonky. I found that out the hard way.
An artist's brush will help to dislodge the cludge.
BOFH
hobie
23rd Mar 2006, 21:03
The Hoover will accelerate the damn thing beyond its design limits and either stuff it or make it very wonky
a bit like cleaning my "keep fit mountain bike" with a Pressure Washer .....
I thought one of the pedals was about to go through the "Sound barrier" !!!! :{
joe2812
25th Mar 2006, 17:30
Many thanks for the info people. Looks like it's common and the 9100 is just a bit of a duff laptop!
I've had a look at updating the BIOS but not sure how to do it. I did get as far as going through manufacturers but unsure of what mine is?
rugmuncher
25th Mar 2006, 18:10
Download and run "Belarc" from downloads.com.
It will tell you all you need to know about what is on your system.
Also try running "notebook hardware control" with which you can fiddle with speed and temperature settings.:ok:
joe2812
10th Apr 2006, 23:20
After 2 hours talking to various Dell representatives they have agreed to send me a Inspiron 9400 and guarenteed a spec which matches or exceeds the 9100 I have now in every way.
Thanks for point out the flaws people!
Just out of interest, anyone ever used the 9400?
AnEviltwinEr
11th Apr 2006, 22:23
The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 9100
There's your problem.
For futher info, read the forums here:
http://www.ihatedell.net/