Laptop Overheating

[Faye]

Recently, I've been having an issue with my laptop overheating and shutting off whenever I run any intensive process. It doesn't take long- 20 minutes to an hour usually.

I ran Prime 95 and it overheated and shut off after like 10 minutes. I have downloaded the latest versions of Direct X and my video-card driver.

The model is a HP Pavilion dv 6700
Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit
2 Gigs RAM

The machine is two years old, so it is not covered by warranty. It is placed on a flat surface to allow for airflow, and I've done what I could to get rid of dust that may be clogging it (though I don't have any canned air or access to canned air).

First question: Do you know of any software that I could use to determine if there has been any damage done to the video card, CPU, or (heaven-forbid) the motherboard?

Second question: What can I do to prevent overheating?

(side note: I'm sure that it is not an issue with the battery.)

 

[TurtleTrooper]

Bummer. I have the exact opposite problem with my laptop. It'll have been charging all day and I'll unplug it and then it will die after five minutes. completely logical right? And the plug in thing to charge it will randomly quit working, so i'll twist it around a little bit and it'll magically work again. or not. sometimes it doesn't. then i'm screwed. i hate computers.

JUST LET ME WATCH PORN GOD DAMMIT

 

[Faye]

Bummer. I have the exact opposite problem with my laptop. It'll have been charging all day and I'll unplug it and then it will die after five minutes. completely logical right? And the plug in thing to charge it will randomly quit working, so i'll twist it around a little bit and it'll magically work again. or not. sometimes it doesn't. then i'm screwed. i hate computers.

JUST LET ME WATCH PORN GOD DAMMIT

While I agree with your last statement, I'd just like to note that it doesn't appear to be a batter versus AC issue.

 

[Kavalan]

what extent have you gone to remove dust from the laptop?

 

[Faye]

what extent have you gone to remove dust from the laptop?

Sadly- just blowing on it. I'm hesitant to use a leaf blower or something like that on it.

I did order a cooling fan system. Hopefully it will work. I have af eeling it wont though.

 

[Kavalan]

Sadly- just blowing on it. I'm hesitant to use a leaf blower or something like that on it.

I did order a cooling fan system. Hopefully it will work. I have af eeling it wont though.

Take a compressed air can and blow bursts into the fan exhaust and intake(Exhaust tends to work better IMO). This solved my previous laptops heating issues. You would be surprised how much dust gets into those things.

 

[IndigoSensor]

Sadly- just blowing on it. I'm hesitant to use a leaf blower or something like that on it.

I did order a cooling fan system. Hopefully it will work. I have a feeling it wont though.

Go to a store and buy a can of compressed air, then spray the fanport/heatsink. I am willing to bet that will solve your problem. Just blowing in it won't work, and a leaf blower isn't concentrated enough.

 

[Faye]

I wont be able to go to a store until tuesday or wednesday at the earliest. What kind of store would have it, and where should I look in the store to get it?

 

[Kavalan]

I wont be able to go to a store until tuesday or wednesday at the earliest. What kind of store would have it, and where should I look in the store to get it?

I would say any office supply store, even hardware stores should carry 'em. Where... *shrug* I either wander around looking or ask someone.

 

[Faye]

I would say any office supply store, even hardware stores should carry 'em. Where... *shrug* I either wander around looking or ask someone.

I could actually walk to a Home Depot. I'll do that and then ask them where they are.

 

[Faye]

Would using a vacuum be a bad idea?

 

[IndigoSensor]

Would using a vacuum be a bad idea?

Aside from it appearing rather comical, and me falling on the floor in hysterics, it won't do anything except make a lot of noise, and perhaps suck up or blow away a rouge fly. The air stream isn't fast enough or concentrated enough.

 

[Faye]

Aside from it appearing rather comical, and me falling on the floor in hysterics, it won't do anything except make a lot of noise, and perhaps suck up or blow away a rouge fly. The air stream isn't fast enough or concentrated enough.

I'm gonna try it. Tomorrow I'm gonna way to Home Depot and get some canned air too. This problem is annoying as hell.

 

[IndigoSensor]

I have no idea if this will work.

Try duck-taping the end of a turkey baster to the end of the blowing end of the vacuum cleaner hose, turn it on (make sure air isnt leaking out of the tape) then shoot it at the heatsink/fan area.

If a turkey baster doesn't work, try something else with a tiny opening.

 

[Faye]

I have no idea if this will work.

Try duck-taping the end of a turkey baster to the end of the blowing end of the vacuum cleaner hose, turn it on (make sure air isnt leaking out of the tape) then shoot it at the heatsink/fan area.

If a turkey baster doesn't work, try something else with a tiny opening.

I have no clue where a turkey baster would be or if we even have one, but i'm considering trying my father's shop vacuum with ducttape. It should have reverse too. That should be pretty strong and concentrated.

 

[Kavalan]

 

[Flavus Aquila]

Just get one of these kind of things from Amazon or elsewhere:

Laptop cooling pad. Just slip one of these under your notebook and quit stressing.

 

[Skathac]

When my old laptop was overheating I had to take it completely apart to get to all of the nooks and crannies the dust had infiltrated. After a thorough cleaning with Q tips and a can of compressed air it stopped acting a fool. Any crud that has collected on the electronics inside could be causing the problem.

 

[Faye]

Just get one of these kind of things from Amazon or elsewhere:

Laptop cooling pad. Just slip one of these under your notebook and quit stressing.

I just found out they exist and ordered one tonight!

When my old laptop was overheating I had to take it completely apart to get to all of the nooks and crannies the dust had infiltrated. After a thorough cleaning with Q tips and a can of compressed air it stopped acting a fool. Any crud that has collected on the electronics inside could be causing the problem.

Thank you- that is good to know.

 

[TurtleTrooper]

Go to a store and buy a can of compressed air, then spray the fanport/heatsink. I am willing to bet that will solve your problem. Just blowing in it won't work, and a leaf blower isn't concentrated enough.

get one of these and then use them upside down to freeze things. it's really fun. Maybe if your laptop keeps overheating you can just freeze it back to normal if all else fails.