Computer question

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Level -> Computer question (10/5/2009 5:16:57 PM)
My laptop has been shutting down after about 2 or 3 hours run time; the bottom of it is quite warm at that point. So, am I wrong to think it may be the fan going bad? How much does it cost to replace one, if that's the problem? And the pc is only about 3 years old, so, hopefully the whole thing isn't going under, especially as I can't afford a new one.

pahunkboy -> RE: Computer question (10/5/2009 5:25:00 PM)
try to get the dust out. also be very careful about electro magnetic shock.

DesFIP -> RE: Computer question (10/5/2009 6:26:42 PM)
Any chance you bought the extended warranty and it's still covered. My daughter's still has a couple of months left on the warranty and they damn near replaced everything. How to replace it depends on the model. http://www.daileyint.com/hmdpc/repair.htm

OrionTheWolf -> RE: Computer question (10/5/2009 6:31:59 PM)
Yes it could likely be the fan. You can also get a laptop stand that helps to cool it. Replacing a fan is actually pretty simple, so ask around at a couple of places to get a price. Don't wait on doing it, as I just went through a hard drive crash and failure, because I procrastinated doing it myself. quote: ORIGINAL: Level My laptop has been shutting down after about 2 or 3 hours run time; the bottom of it is quite warm at that point. So, am I wrong to think it may be the fan going bad? How much does it cost to replace one, if that's the problem? And the pc is only about 3 years old, so, hopefully the whole thing isn't going under, especially as I can't afford a new one.

pahunkboy -> RE: Computer question (10/5/2009 6:43:11 PM)
blow on it! Come ONNNNNNN! bloWWWWWW on it!!! ;-0

thornhappy -> RE: Computer question (10/5/2009 7:04:03 PM)
Now now, hunk! He needs to flap his wings! Sounds fannish to me. Can you hear it running?

housesub4you -> RE: Computer question (10/5/2009 7:19:22 PM)
If it's a Gateway, just toss in garbage

ThatDamnedPanda -> RE: Computer question (10/5/2009 10:58:52 PM)
Level, on what sort of surface do you typically use this laptop? On, say, a lap for example? Given that the intake vent is on the underside of the computer, they'll generally run cooler if they're on a hard, flat surface that allows unobstructed airflow into the vent, rather than a soft, yielding, surface like (for instance) the comforter on a bed. Just something to keep in mind if you haven't already thought of it.

DomKen -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 12:50:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Level My laptop has been shutting down after about 2 or 3 hours run time; the bottom of it is quite warm at that point. So, am I wrong to think it may be the fan going bad? How much does it cost to replace one, if that's the problem? And the pc is only about 3 years old, so, hopefully the whole thing isn't going under, especially as I can't afford a new one. Quite warm like noticeably warm or 'damn that thing is hot!' warm? Is the heat concentrated in one spot or is it the entiore bottom of the laptop. How long after it shuts down can you get it back up and running? Do you use it on soft surfaces that interfere with airflow to the vents? If its under warranty take it in and let a pro deal with it. If not get it open and clean any dust out paying attention to the vents. Then see if the hot spot corresponds to the location of the cpu. If so either the cpu heat sink or the cpu fan are the likely culprits and I'd replace both. If not its likely the main fan which is pretty cheap and easy to replace. An overheated cpu fails much more quickly than usual so get this corrected soon before you find yourself in need of a new cpu or motherboard.

cosmicowgurl -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 1:13:42 AM)
Hi, Most laptop especially PC’s tend to need auxiliary cooling fans you would think someone in R&D would caught that one but where’s the fun and profit in that, ya gotta love designed obsolescence don’t you. They are available in most electronic stores and substantially cut down on the over heating of most all laptops and simply fit on the bottom of your laptop. I hope this solves your problem.

Level -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 3:09:29 AM)
I appreciate all the help [:D] Some of you may have hit on it... I DO use it in bed, and the bed "forms" around it, smothering the exhaust, etc. Now, I did begin sitting it on top of a couple of books, in order to try to let it breathe, that does help, but it's shut down even with that done. Yes, you can still hear the fan, as well. I don't believe it's still under warranty. It's a HP Pavilion, bought new November 2005, I believe. I'm leaning towards a case of non-consensual smothering [X(]

Justme696 -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 5:26:50 AM)
The coolingblocks may have come loose from the parts they are supposed to cool. The fan runs still....but without contact of the coolingblock....it will still overheat. You can try to run soemthing like http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php. to monitor the temperature and look how hot it becomes for shut down

GreedyTop -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 5:32:37 AM)
Level.. you could also try something like THIS. Or THIS

sirsholly -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 5:33:53 AM)
my old one did this. I was blocking the fan/vent/air flow by using it on the bed (propping it on a pillow, actually) If it were an issue with the fan/cooling system it would take a bit less then 2-3 hours, as per the repair guy

Justme696 -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 5:45:55 AM)
true normally it should. But many cpu's clock back in speed..so they work way below their max. Just lets open his laptop...get the tools!!!!

sappatoti -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 6:16:21 AM)
This may or may not be the case with Level's machine, but I've noticed that -- especially for older laptops -- running a fully updated operating system with the latest security patches and application updates increases the heat over what the machine produces while running the original OS that it came with. For instance, I have a 2005 laptop and it ran cool out of the box. Since I have been meticulously updating the OS and applications to their current levels for 2009, I have noticed my laptop running way hotter than normal. So hot, at times, that I cannot lay my palm on the palm rest or use the laptop in my lap. Curious, I wiped the hard drive and restored the original OS and applications and ran the laptop the same length of time I normally do; it never heated up more than it did when I unpacked it from its box four years ago. Thinking that perhaps it was a defragmented hard drive that solved the heating problem, I once again wiped the drive and reloaded my latest system backup from a cloned image, but using a file-by-file copy instead of the block copy. I ran the laptop for only an hour before the sucker heated back up to intolerable levels. Going on the assumption that the latest security and software updates are a necessary evil in this day to protect from things in the wild, I am using auxiliary cooling devices to try to help keep the laptop temperatures down to at least tolerable levels. Since my experiment I've also replaced the hard drive with a much cooler running unit than the OEM (and it's almost double the capacity too) which has helped a bit with the palm rest heat, but it's still warmer than I'd like it to be. (The still usable OEM drive is now encased within an external FireWire/USB2 housing.) Like I stated, it may not be a common occurrence as a cause for excessive heat buildup but, once the usual physical suspects are eliminated (failing hardware and/or poor ventilation), modern software running on an older hardware platform might be a cause.

pahunkboy -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 6:34:02 AM)
This is where a good ice maker comes in handy!!! hicCUP. // Seriously- I stopped use a laptop that the fan was TOO LOUD. (I am a crab what can I say)

DomKen -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 7:37:43 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Level I appreciate all the help [:D] Some of you may have hit on it... I DO use it in bed, and the bed "forms" around it, smothering the exhaust, etc. Now, I did begin sitting it on top of a couple of books, in order to try to let it breathe, that does help, but it's shut down even with that done. Yes, you can still hear the fan, as well. I don't believe it's still under warranty. It's a HP Pavilion, bought new November 2005, I believe. I'm leaning towards a case of non-consensual smothering [X(] If its under warranty I'd really take it into where you bought it and let them check it out.

GreedyTop -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 7:43:59 AM)
he said he doesnt believe it is, Ken.... which wouldnt surprise me, given the age of the thing

OrionTheWolf -> RE: Computer question (10/6/2009 7:56:54 AM)
That may be what is going on. They have laptop cooling stands that you can use on the bed, your lap, etc. I have an HP as well, though it was purchased in early 2007. Unless you have an extended warranty, it is only a one year warranty. Odd that a replacement HD and/or fan has a two year warranty from the actual manufacturer though. Do what Justin suggested and check the temp it is getting, get the laptop stand thingie, and if it keeps running hot it needs to be looked at. Don't let it keep going so that it literally toasts the HD or motherboard, like I did. I would also suggest backing up to something real soon (such as pics or anything you do not want to take a chance on losing). You can go to www.liondrive.com and get 5 gigs of storage space for free, and if you follow the directions you can set it up so that it is like an extra drive on your computer that you can easily copy and paste to/from. quote: ORIGINAL: Level I appreciate all the help [:D] Some of you may have hit on it... I DO use it in bed, and the bed "forms" around it, smothering the exhaust, etc. Now, I did begin sitting it on top of a couple of books, in order to try to let it breathe, that does help, but it's shut down even with that done. Yes, you can still hear the fan, as well. I don't believe it's still under warranty. It's a HP Pavilion, bought new November 2005, I believe. I'm leaning towards a case of non-consensual smothering [X(]

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