Fix an Overheating Laptop!

Hi Dan,


Surprising that you're just noticing this now... Notebooks and netbooks, unlike the larger desktop computers, simply don't have adequate cooling systems.

This is why there are dozens of laptop coolers sold in every computer accessory department worldwide.

They're simply a support, with or without fans, that helps to dissipate the heat.

The heat is generated by the heat sinks doing their job and the fans cooling them and other components. The hotter the ambient air then of course the less the heatsinks and cooling fans are able to do their job. As stated above, some additional fans may help. The harder the machine works, the more the processor heats up and the more work the heat sink and fans have to do their job.

If you have not cleaned it for 2 years then you should have.

A vacuum cleaner used very carefully will help in this as will a small clean and previously unused paint brush.
Buy yourself some compressed air if you don't have any and use it also.
Think about what's happening here and then adopt a suitable regime to look after the equipment.
Also, point to note, when temperature of air is above about 80 deg F (26.6 deg C) fans become inefficient and no longer have a direct cooling effect but they do help move the air around and that can feel helpful.
Another thing, don't work your laptop on your lap!!!
Serious burns have been caused on bare skin and doing so will block ventilation. Place the machine on a worktop and try to raise it off the surface, leaving an air gap between the surface and the base of the machine.  Or as previously mentioned use one of these:




Yours sincerely; a nerd

If you need someone to look at it, I reccommend Gloria at Centric Computers in St. Pul's Bay. It's a family run place and very resonablly priced. It is across the road from the HSBC.