Overheating Laptop :(

Discussion in 'Computers and Technology' started by Dreamerz, Jun 15, 2009.

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  1. Dreamerz

    Dreamerz Level III

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    I have a Dell inspiron 1525 lately the fan has been running non stop still overheating and at times shutting itself down. I was told to get a can of compressed air because its probably dust causing this issue, but I will not be able to run and get it until tomorrow is there anything I can do for now without having to take my computer apart, and anyone know what else i can do if the compressed air dosen't work?
     
  2. Freya

    Freya Level III

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    I had the same problem with the notebook I'm sitting on... since I formatted it it's fine, but I think I had kinda a special problem, won't recommend that
     
  3. lolcow

    lolcow Level III

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    The first thing you have to do is to get software to monitor your temperatures (Riva Tuner, Notebook Hardware Control). Monitoring temps is the most important part of cooling.

    Make sure your Drivers/Bios are fully updated
    Undervolt your CPU
    If needed, underclock your GPU (will result in slower speeds)
    Clean fans with compressed air
    Thermal Paste (Arctic Silver 5)
    Notebook Coolers (Zalman is a good brand)
    Organize the area around your laptop for maximum air flow
     
  4. Dreamerz

    Dreamerz Level III

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    Ok im good with computers but maybe not that good...

    Drivers and Bios I think are updated
    Indervolt CPU???????? need to look that up im confused and i don't want slower speeds XD
    Clean fans with compressed air doing it tomorrow :)
    Thermal Paste??????? is that glue giggles another thing to look up for me
    Notebook coolers that will come in a little right now its not an option
    maximum air flow lately thats a always

    I will look up the other too though something i know nothing about so maybe that could be part of the problem thanks :)
     
  5. lolcow

    lolcow Level III

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    A good undervolting guide can be found here: http://www.nordichardware.com/Articles/?skrivelse=465
    Just google for "undervolting laptop" and you'll find many such guides.

    It won't cause slower speeds (underclocking your GPU will do that for apps that depend on one). However, since the Inspiron 1525 has an integrated Intel card, you won't have to worry about that.

    Thermal paste (~$7) is applied directly to the CPU to provide better heat transfer. On average, it can lower temps by ~5 C.
     
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  6. assasin

    assasin Level IV

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    Undervolting should be performed only when you are sure of what you are doing...and is a extreme step!

    I would rather first check the fan,any form of obstruction to the air flow,dust formation,etc!

    Does your laptop turns itself off due to overheating???

    And also closely monitor your temps...i lost a graphics card due to overheating!
     
  7. lolcow

    lolcow Level III

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    Undervolting isn't an "extreme" step. It's actually one of the most basic (albeit, time consuming) modifications that can be made to a laptop. The worst thing that can happen is BSOD.
    Undervolting isn't the same thing as Overclocking.

    EDIT: Also, watch your ambient temperatures
     
  8. assasin

    assasin Level IV

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    Atleast it can be performed as the last resort!There you go Aiore happy now! :)

    And make sure you do that right else Blue Screen Of Death!!!
     
  9. lolcow

    lolcow Level III

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    BSOD doesn't damage physical components at all. Overheating will.

    If your computer shuts down due to overheating, it's probably reached its safety point (~105 C). You need to find a way to lower that back down to ~60 C.

    EDIT: Besides, the whole point of undervolting is to get as close as you can to the BSOD without actually getting there; lower voltage = lower power consumption = less heat = increased battery life
     
  10. Dreamerz

    Dreamerz Level III

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    Ohhh why do these things happen to me XD ...

    Yeah the laptop tends to shut down itself due to over heating and it over heats fast while playing games KEYQUEST being the worst for this for some reason. Last night I researched and from what I found it sounded more of a dust issue and to get compressed air....

    Never had the over heating problem before so I am not 100% relying on compressed air that's why I was wondering my other options.

    Im going to check out instructions for the Undervolting now if its too complicated for me I won't attempt it I will ask my brother or father in -law next time I see them. And maybe get that program to monitor the temperature never used one before so maybe that can help too:)
     
  11. lolcow

    lolcow Level III

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    If you're really worried about tweaking your computer, get a ZALMAN ZM NC1000 (~$40). It's a bit more expensive than the other options, but it works and it doesn't need any technical experience.
     
  12. Dreamerz

    Dreamerz Level III

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    tweaking isnt the issue right now and trying to keep cost wayyy down because funds are not here. its keeping my piece of junk healthy yeah im sooooo aggravated right now with it i checked out the Undervolting guide and followed the programs needed steps and the ones I got that it said to get are nothing like the examples and I don't have a clue what im doing -__- but did find another program that helps keep track of the battery life and temperature and such called Notebook Hardware Control it has more features but I haven't had a chance to take a look at them yet.

    I am really relying on that compressed air right about now, if anyone has anymore ideas or sites to even read let me know I am up for looking at anything right about now.
     
  13. lolcow

    lolcow Level III

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    Undervolting is definitely your best bet, imo.
    You may have faulty parts (call Dell; you seem to have abnormally high temperatures)
     
  14. Dreamerz

    Dreamerz Level III

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    Calling dell is LAST resort I say this because when my charger went poof and died (burnt out) they were like can you turn your lap top on I was like no battery is dead because charger isnt working. THey were like is there a light on the charger on, I said no because its broken and fried, they were like can you plug it in and then turn your lap top on at that point i screamed and said NO LAP TOP BATTERY IS DEAD BECAUSE THE CHARGER IS FRIED AND THE LIGHT DOSENT WORK ON IT BECAUSE THE CHARGER IS FRIED......

    Not even getting into the time my keyboard buttons started popping off and I had to call and get them to replace that ....

    but yeah my head feels like its going to explode soon tomorrow can't come fast enough for me I will try to undervolt again maybe tonight or if the compressed air doesn't work. Wish there was a easy fix way... well there is but I dont have the money for a new lap top XD

    thanks everyone for trying to help once again if you think of anything else feel free to post it I will report if anything works for me when i attempt it
     
  15. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    1. Clean clean clean, make sure your laptop is crispy clean
    2. Undervolt your CPU and RAM, don't need all that extra power. Just go one step at a time until your laptop stops booting (at which point the BIOS should reset itself)
    3. Watch your environment. Don't place your laptop on cloth (your clothes, beds, couches, etc). Place it on something hard like a table surface where you'll get better ventilation.
    4. Clean out the software part of your computer. The less junk you have running in the background, the less CPU intensive your computer will be.
    5. Call 911 (or whatever the Dell hotline thing is)
     
  16. Dreamerz

    Dreamerz Level III

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    Undervolt thing I still couldn't figure out how to do yet I haven't spent much time trying to understand it. As well the link I was sent to to do this the programs were different then the step by step pictures so I had some major issues there...

    I did get to clean the dust out not by compressed air from a can but the same sort of thing, I used was a air compressor and that worked just as well and was given the ok by a family computer wiz XD because of it my CPU temp only has spiked 20 58-62 the normal temp stays at 42-54 (before the avarage tempature was 62-74ish and spiked to over 80 and crashed at times) depending on the enviroment and I tend to keep it well ventilated these days lol

    cleaning out junk is a step I take but I should start cleaning it more often

    thanks though I will tempt to undervolt again sometime seems as if many people think this is a good idea :)
     
  17. WildSnorlax

    WildSnorlax Level IV

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    Your answer has probably been answered, but here's my two cents. What I suggest, is something like a cooling pad for the future. If you're using it on your lap, or placing it on any sort of fabric material {bed, couch, carpet, etc} then it heats up realllllly fast and it'll bust your fan. Then again it can be a dust problem, however if a can of compressed gas can't fix it then the fan is probably dead.

    I typed this without reading any replies, so if it's a repeat, then ignore it haha.
     
  18. WingedOne

    WingedOne Level II

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    Honestly nothing is bad as my laptop...the TX1000 HP series is probably the best heat producing laptop that has been ever made. Only series to never been recalled either (DARN YOU HP D<). Even with a heat sink+full clean out it can still reach over 80 degrees and shut off, and on top of that because of the heat my built in wi-fi no longer functions (had to buy USB plugin). I can't do anything on here anymore T_T.

    You should just try to install an external fan to suck out air where your built in fan is, I find that it works for a few people, and keeps the inside cleaner. It's also a bit easier to mess around than changing components on the inside of your laptop.

    If your in Canada and you have a dell, then it should be covered under a long warranty which means that you can always call them for fixes (only shipping fee needed).
     
  19. Dreamerz

    Dreamerz Level III

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    Cooling pad is on my list

    as for warranty .... yeah 1 year that will be up in October and im sick of calling and them treating me like I know nothing so far all seems well no over 80 Ive just never cleaned the dust out of this thing and i got it last October so I think that was the main issue!
     
  20. flatman

    flatman Level I

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    lol laptop heat is dangerous. it can cause all sorts of problems!

    Please don't post one-liner spam, try to elaborate on your posts. Also, your post was a gravedig. To avoid that, check the date of the previous post.
     
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