Author Topic: any laptop experts here? (Read 7803 times)

badgermark · « **on:** March 14, 2006, 03:28:29 PM »

howdie chaps, im having a spot of bother with my laptop, namely it seems to always over heat, or come close to overheating. i have a little temp monitor program and when idle-ing, like now (only have this ie window open) the temp is around 69-70 deg C. this is kinda normal, but whenever i watch a video file (of any kind really) or listen to music the temp and cpu usage shoot up, usually 75 C and 100% usage. if it gets to 77 C it shuts down completely.

ive opened it up and gave a good clean (twasnt much there to clean anyway) to no avail. i also scan for spyware and do a registry check weekly, and although it picks up a few things nothing changes. also ive done a few windows re-installs, and the problem is always there.

can anyone help?

Dakine · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:34:32 PM »

In my limited experience some get hotter than others.
Mine right now is a Sony and has little legs which elevate the back about 1/2". Also, you can hear a small fan inside.
I had Toshiba's before and some got DARNED hot, but never shut down.
If you are woried why not by a small pc fan and wire it to run at the laptop to aid cooling (just a quick thought).
Also, your useage seems strange. I guess you have looked at the programs running (totally) by hitting ctrl/alt/del to get the task manager up and check the running processes?

badgermark · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:37:03 PM »

i have indeed checked programs, and nothing seems out of the ordinary.

im not a total dumbass on this subject, so assume ive tried the basics

should the heatsink be bonded to the cpu? when i took out the heatsink/fan thingy the cpu came with it, and that seems a bit wrong to me...

maxingwell · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:43:30 PM »

I think the heatsink should be bonded to the cpu - I read somewhere that the 'glue' you use to bond them together can make a difference too.
If you do a google search for overclocking you should find out about overheating issues on some tech forums.

Dakine · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:44:37 PM »

Sorry Badger but I was ALWAYS taught (and bear in mind I have had some jobs where if I did'nt, people could very well DIE) treat people like they know nothing till proved otherwise.
As far as heatsink/fan, bonded how?
The PC's I have handled in the robotic subs we used had the heatsink on the CPU to aid heat displacement and a fan pointing at the cpu (we had more room than a laptop though).
Also, what chip is in the Laptop? Many/most laptops run hot I thought which is why they created the "crusoe" chip or summit (early here and my head is pounding from allergies sorry).

badgermark · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:48:41 PM »

dont worry Dakine i do that all the time, try tutoring people in uni level maths/chemistry, you get used to starting at the VERY beginning.

i dont know HOW its bonded, it just comes off when i pull out the heatsink, and there is no visable dust. gonna get the hairdryer out and give it a blast on the cold setting later.

the fan is always on, always pretty high too. and the mofo is LOUD. im gonna keep digging.

thanks guys.

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:48:53 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

Also, what chip is in the Laptop? Many/most laptops run hot I thought which is why they created the "crusoe" chip or summit (early here and my head is pounding from allergies sorry).

Centrino? Or Celeron? I dont know of any others, but I dont know alot about em really. As for the overheating, there must be a fan you can get to blow cold air under the machine? I have a Dell and it does get quite hot if its been on for ages, but never shuts down :? Maybe you should take it to a good repairs shop to be looked at?

badgermark · « **Reply #7 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:52:24 PM »

forgot to add, its a celeron- 2.g ghz. funny thing is there wasnt any problems up till about 6 months after i had it, just suddenly started to get sluggish and cr@ppy overnight.

sambo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:52:32 PM »

i know you said youve tried the basics and this may seem a little trivial... but what surface are you using it on?

badgermark · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:54:12 PM »

Quote from: sambo

i know you said youve tried the basics and this may seem a little trivial... but what surface are you using it on?

a wooden desk, usually with something under the top right leg to elevage the fans. or right now im in bed (damn cold) and the fans are very well unobstructed. tis a friggen mystery.

sambo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:56:40 PM »

yer thats weird.... i was just gonna say if its on anything soft then sometimes the fan(s) can obviously get a little obstructed and overheat, but like you say they're not obstructed and you use it on a wooden desk.... weeeeirrdddd.....

Dakine · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:59:17 PM »

Dunno then. To be honest if it dos'nt shut the computer down then I would just let sleeping cpu's lie.
My laptops all ran hot but never a problem.
Keep looking though.

_Tom_ just checked, it is a Crusoe chip. Was designed for laptops to run lower power, save battery life and be cooler. Not sure what laptops it's in though. Knew I had heard of summit. Was slated to go into Sony's to start apparently.

badgermark · « **Reply #12 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:02:34 PM »

but Dakine it DOES shut down the laptop. anything over 77 deg totally kills it. and it reaches that temp quite a lot.

maxingwell · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:05:18 PM »

Is there a setting for you to change the shutdown temperature anywhere (in the BIOS?). Seems strange that it suddenly started happening.

Dakine · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:06:58 PM »

ahh, sorry, misread. Well in that case I would imagine (if there is def. NO virus/bug) then the CPU is shot. Sorry, but if heatsink is there (is a passive piece obviously) and fan works then there is not much else really.
Did you buy it new? I.E. could someone have "overclocked it" which can make em crash.