Laptop heating problems, please help!

[whisperer]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could suggest anything to help me out. I bought my Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop about 2 years ago and recently I've noticed that the underside is getting very hot to touch.
It has Windows XP installed on it, Intel Pentium M process 1.60HZ, 40GB hard drive (around half full), 512 MB RAM. It is generally hot even just running MSN messenger and Microsoft Outlook but if I run more, especially games such as Guild Wars, it gets really hot.

From my rudimentary knowledge of this looking at the underside, it's not the battery or CD/DVD drive, the hard drive is warm but the hotest part is where I guess the motherboard and processor are (the right hand side of the keyboard near the enter key but on the underside). It has got the stage now where I feel I have to prop the laptop up all the time to try and get some airflow underneath to help cooling as I really don't want to destroy my laptop and I am getting worried about running any applications for any length of time.

Sorry I can't be more detailed with the problem but if anyone can help at all I would greatly appreciate it,

Thanks again,

x

[kungpo]

Hmmm...not good. I take it this is a new problem - ie it wasn't always running hot?

A likely cause is a build up of dust and other debris inside the machine. I would suggest (initially) that you get a hold of an Air Duster (can of compressed air) and give the laptop a good blast around all the vents etc. I don't know about the Inspiron 6000, but most Dells I have ever worked on have the processor on the top left hand side of the machine, and always have a vent on the case very close by. That aside for a moment, is the air coming out of the vent hot, and in fact, do you hear the fan come on periodically, or is it on all the time?

[staffsMike]

As above get the compressed air and give it a good blast.. alternatively you can take the base off the laptop and try the same thing..or just blow on it...either way though do it outside as there will be a lot of dust.

You could also look into a nootbook cooler, this is quite a good one but make sure you clear the dust first.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Antec-NOTEBO...9244261&sr=8-1

[Toole]

I had a similar problem with an older lappy of mine, and it's probably just dust clogging up the cooling sstem. If it's out of warranty and you feel capable, the best thing to do is dissasemble it to the point where you can get to the fan & radiator and give it a good blast with some compressed air (available in a can from most PC hardware places). Alternatively just blow on it (careful about the spit though!).

[fat jez]

Don't hoover it though, as that causes static electricity, which is bad!

Cheers,
Stephen

[peterb]

Don't hoover it though, as that causes static electricity, which is bad!

Cheers,
Stephen

I hoover the inside of my computer regularly (amazing how the dust builds up!). Don't let the nozzle touch any components, but getting letting it touch the cooling fan blades/heat sink fins etc is unlikely to cause any damage.

[whisperer]

Thanks for all the help.
If i were to take it apart to clean the dust out is it just a case of unscrew the screws and the bottom will come off or is it likely to be more technical than that... :$:S
Thanks again
x

[staffsMike]

lots of screws but yeah normally as simple as that.. check the dell site for a manual

[fat jez]

And keep a record of which screw goes where!

Cheers,
Stephen

[Dell]

My name is Brad and I work at Dell headquarters in Round Rock, TX. I came across your post and saw that you described a problem with your Dell system getting hot. I know this is an older post but I was wondering if you still needed help with it. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Brad
Dell Customer Advocate

[staffsMike]

Interesting.. Are Dell planning on becomming a part of Hexus (in the care forums) or are you just posting on behalf of them?

[merdat]

It would be good to have a Dell guy 'on-board'. Bet lots of folk have Dell lappies.

[Trash Man]

Interesting.. Are Dell planning on becomming a part of Hexus (in the care forums) or are you just posting on behalf of them?

Would be nice but Dell have their own forums already on their site.

[GoNz0]

its not hard to get to the dell coolers. just check the thermal pad, terrible idea and often the cause of the problem.

[Dell]

I am on a team at Dell that proactively contacts customers through forums and blogs to resolve problems.

You can read about us at this link: direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2006/11/19/3648.aspx

Brad
Dell Customer Advocate

[whisperer]

hey all, Thanks for all your help. I can't let you know whether it's resolved as I haven't yet plucked up the courage to take my laptop apart. I'm quite good with desktops but laptops is new. Will hopefully get round to it in the next couple of days.

Thanks for all the advice
x