Laptop Overheating

[3074326]

I know this is a common issue with laptops, but I feel like the issue I'm having with mine is a little much.

I downloaded HWMonitor to see what the computer's temperatures were. With my resolution set at 1280x800 (recommended settings for this computer are 1440x900), ALL visual enhancements for Windows 7 off, and only Firefox and Windows Live Messenger as active programs, these are the temperatures:

Temperatures in brackets are what they were when my friend was just standing around in WOW (he downloaded it to play while I was at class today), not doing anything. Lowest visual settings in the game too.

ACPI:
TZS0: 62 DEG C [87 C]
TZS1: 62 DEG C [86 C]

Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8400
Core #0: 45 DEG C [71 C]
Core #1: 46 DEG C [76 C]

NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS
GPU Core: 46 DEG C [64 C]

ST932042 1AS
Assembly: 47 DEG C [50 C]
Air Flow: 46 DEG C [50 C]

I think those are relatively normal, maybe the ACPI temperatures a little high? But the problem is when I run something. Let's say I run a game. For example, the friend playing WOW. A couple of the temperatures get pretty damn hot.

This is a pain in the ass for me because I use Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and play the occasional game. I'm tired of the computer freezing or shutting down.

I should also note that I don't know much about this stuff. I don't know what ACPI is and why it's running so damn hot.

It's a Gateway p-7805 laptop. I love it when it's not overheating.

 

[Merih]

The cheapest and easiest thing to do would be to buy a can of compressed air, and blow down all vents from which heat emanates. The usual first culprit of overheating laptops is that as gunk accumulates on the inside, the self cooling system doesn't work nearly as well. Since this is the simplest of solutions, I would reccomend doing this first.

If that doesn't work, then you likely have a problem that you can solve in one of two ways. One, open the case of the computer and use the compressed air to blow everything in hopes that there was more gunk than originally thought. If that doesn't work, then you need to see if the heat is emanating from the battery or from the laptop proper.

Battery can be easily (but not cheaply) replaced. If its the laptop proper, then you might want to invest in some intercooler laptop system. I typically see them on amazon.

Hope this helps! As always, you might want to find a forum with people who have more exp. I have a laptop that used to overheat. After opening it up and using compressed air I haven't had a problem since.

 

[3074326]

Thanks. I'll go pick up some compressed air tomorrow.

I read somewhere about putting some heat paste on something in the computer. I'd obviously look it up again before doing this, and I'd have someone who knew what they were doing do this, but it's an option. Was seeing if there was anything I could do tonight.

Right now I'm running a program and it's staying around 85 C.. it's not glitching or freezing at the moment. I think when it gets around 90 C it starts having problems.

 

[Merih]

It's not technically a glitch I don't think. It's not like the heat forces your computer to shut down. The computer shuts itself down before it gets too hot in order to save itself from irreparable damage. It's one of the failsafe systems that the comp has in place to save itself.

Heat paste is only going to be a temporary fix, a few months worth. Then you'd probably have to open it up again, depending on how much you apply. Heat paste also gets messy and is easy to screw up. But if the symptoms you're having correspond perfectly to using the heat paste then go ahead and give it a try.

Here is a cooling pad on amazon for 25 bucks: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Notebook-Cooling-Pad-N100/dp/B001U3ZH7W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270620751&sr=8-2]Amazon.com: Logitech Notebook Cooling Pad (N100): Electronics[/ame]

And now that you have the problem you might want to refrain from leaving your laptop running on stuff like a bed with a comforter, rug carpet, etc. Anything that traps in heat and doesn't give the vent enough space is going to be bad from now on. Even running it on your lap isn't recommended, which I always thought was shady since they still call them "laptops"

 

[3074326]

I have a cooling pad. But it sucks. I need to spend some money on a good one. My computer is bigger than the average laptop. That one's a couple inches too small (lol). I'll find one.

Heck, I don't even know why I bought a laptop. I could've built a desktop for this price (which I actually planned on doing).

I have the computer sitting on my desk, on the cooling pad, with the fans strategically placed below vents where the computer is getting hottest. Still running at 83-85 C with a program running. Ugh.

 

[scarletandgrey]

ACPI Is Advanced Configuration Power Interface.

Heat paste/Thermal Compound is actually used between the heat ink and the CPU. I doubt this is the problem unless the laptop is really old. Or the CPU or heat sink was replaced in the past and thermal compound wasn't used.

Merih is right, 90% of heat related problems are from blocked vents from dust and debris. Also make sure the laptop is on a solid flat surface.

If the computer is old you might need to check to make the fan isn't starting to fail.

 

[3074326]

Computer is less than a year old. Always use it on a flat surface with the cooling pad.

I'll get some air tomorrow and let you all know what happens. But by all means, keep posting suggestions.

 

[CleveBucks]

If you look closely through the vents on the side or back of the computer, you will probably see a bunch of thin vertical metal "fins". That's the most common place for dust to accumulate, which prevents the warm air from flowing away from the CPU and out of the laptop. Here's a picture from a Dell Latitude D630.

The only way to effectively get all the dust out is to open up the computer and remove the heatsink. If you post what make/model you have, someone can probably post instructions on how to open it up.

 

[Dryden]

I read somewhere about putting some heat paste on something in the computer.

For people that are nervous about opening their computer up and putting thermal compound on the various chips, I recommend just spreading a whole bunch on a blank cd instead, then putting that in the drive. It's like putting oil in your car, once it spins up, it'll get where it needs to go.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Set your beer on it, that should take care of the problem, unless you spill your beer, then you have a different problem, that being you spilled your beer.

 

[Taosman]

Downloading too much porn is a possibility.
Next time get a faster chip!

 

[Taosman]

For people that are nervous about opening their computer up and putting thermal compound on the various chips, I recommend just spreading a whole bunch on a blank cd instead, then putting that in the drive. It's like putting oil in your car, once it spins up, it'll get where it needs to go.

Urban (meyer) Myth.
If you decide to crack open your laptop be extra sure your properly grounded or you can do more harm than good!

 

[scott91575]

are you sure it's overheating? Is that what is reported? Your temps are fine.

Of course WoW is not a true stress test. Try prime95 for a true stress test. If you want to stress your GPU, use 3DMark. Look at the max temps for those, not WoW.

 

[scarletandgrey]

Set your beer on it, that should take care of the problem, unless you spill your beer, then you have a different problem, that being you spilled your beer.

OC I always thought of you as an intelligent human being. You have just completely debunked that all together.

Who in the fuck would want a warm beer?

:tongue2:

 

[OCBucksFan]

OC I always thought of you as an intelligent human being. You have just completely debunked that all together.

Who in the fuck would want a warm beer?

:tongue2:

You're doing it wrong.

I could set my beer on the stove while it's on and it still wouldn't have time to get warm :p