Oh Nooooos Laptop Overheating

[greenc51]

hey all


i've been havin a prob with a laptop that was given to me...it gets HOT and quick too...the fan is always blowing and its quite loud at times...i would bring it to lecture with me since i'm in school, but i'm emabarrassed that it will be too loud and disrupt class
i downloaded mobilemeter that was suggested in a thread when i was searching the site, and my cpu is running avg 65-70 degrees C!!!!
I know its an old laptop, its an inspiron 1100...with upgraded hdd and memory.
do i need to open this sucker up and clean something out? tell me what i need to do b/c everytime i use this thing, which is for heavy multitasking and websurfing, the things starts smelling like burning electronics!!

[bailey]

I would suggest your doing that if you are sure your able to do that, other wise taking it to a repair shop might be better,
if you do take it apart be sure to double check all the air flow paths for dust and dirt, pay close attention the the cpu heat sink fins and fan.
and above all be sure to use a anti-static device and precautions so you don't damage anything, just a safety thing if you know what I mean.

[Alaron]

__Moderator Note__

greenc51, watch the language, censored or not. This is a family forum.

[Panama Red]

Additional moderator note. I removed that 3 letter acronym I love so much and the obvious attempt at disquising the bad language. Please read our forum rules regarding proper language and decorum.

[glc]

An Inspiron 1100 is an entry level laptop. It was not designed for heavy multitasking. As far as the overheating is concerned, it's probably loaded up with dust and does need to be cleaned out. I was able to clean out a different model Dell without opening it up by using an air blower in the vents and the fan areas. I don't think a little can of air has enough power to do this. Make sure you aren't blocking any air intakes, it can help if you place it on something that keeps the bottom off the table.

[greenc51]

yea sorry about the cursing...i'm not yet used to this board

but yea, i guess i need to open this thing up...i also read on a thread while search that the dried out thermal paste on the cpu was cleaned and replaced...now i'm assuming, if i do that, whatever miniature heatsink is on the cpu is on there with adhesive thermal paste...?

and the heavy multitasking is only on occassion...usually i just use this for microsoft office, quicken, some mpeg viewing, and of course internet usage...sometime i have a combo of these things open but i try not to have any more than three at a time

the lowest temp i've seen the cpu go via the mobilemeter was about 64 degrees C, and that was after it was sitting idle for 20-30 mins. i have no abnormal amount of spyware or anything taking up resources...so i guess i have only the one option

[Kov-Ice]

That laptop is a real pain to try to open up. I opened it partway, just so the dust was able to find a way out more easily. A can of compressed air with the straw attached will do a fine job of blowing out the dust. Just hit the fan underneath and the copper fins at the back, and I imagine you'll see a big difference in temps.