So THAT'S Why my legs are on fire!

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/648...ptopsspecs.png
Any tips on cooling down a laptop? Because I'm pretty damn sure it's not SUPPOSED to run this hot.

You can buy small cooling pads that sit under your laptop and plug into it via USB. They aren't too expensive; shouldn't cost more than $25-30 for a nice one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Green4Ever

You can buy small cooling pads that sit under your laptop and plug into it via USB. They aren't too expensive; shouldn't cost more than $25-30 for a nice one.

---

I already have one. damn shoddy work on it though, the fans blow the wrong way, laptop actually runs hotter because of it, so I stopped using it.
Gotta take it apart and rewire it to change the polarity of the current going into the motors for the fans so they go the RIGHT way.

I use my laptop more like a desktop lol. I have it set up so the back is propped up on each corner creating a small gap for a small fan (I think it's about 5") to blow directly underneath it. Been using this set up for a while now and it works perfectly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Green4Ever

You can buy small cooling pads that sit under your laptop and plug into it via USB. They aren't too expensive; shouldn't cost more than $25-30 for a nice one.

---

Do not do this. I did this. It was stupid. Very stupid.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Green4Ever

I use my laptop more like a desktop lol.

---

This is one reason.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Green

I have it set up so the back is propped up on each corner creating a small gap for a small fan (I think it's about 5") to blow directly underneath it. Been using this set up for a while now and it works perfectly.

---

This is the second reason.

http://i.imgur.com/q5DNr.png

A small external fan will not be able to handle the internal heating problems going on with your system. It's the equivalent of using a fan to extinguish a fire. Impractical and not solving the root of the problem.

Prop it up on a book or something in the back.

Clean it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sardines

Do not do this. I did this. It was stupid. Very stupid.

---

Agree to disagree. My friend bought a pretty nice one and I've used it on my laptop before. Works perfectly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sardines

This is one reason.
This is the second reason.

http://i.imgur.com/q5DNr.png

A small external fan will not be able to handle the internal heating problems going on with your system. It's the equivalent of using a fan to extinguish a fire. Impractical and not solving the root of the problem.

---

Don't exactly understand why you're quoting me here but again as I said, I've used this set up for a while and it works perfectly. Laptop never gets hot, although it can get a little warm when running multiple games and/or processes, but that happens even on desktops.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Green4Ever

Agree to disagree. My friend bought a pretty nice one and I've used it on my laptop before. Works perfectly.



Don't exactly understand why you're quoting me here but again as I said, I've used this set up for a while and it works perfectly. Laptop never gets hot, although it can get a little warm when running multiple games and/or processes, but that happens even on desktops.

---

Throwing more air at it does not prevent it from generating the same amount of heat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JoeTang

Throwing more air at it does not prevent it from generating the same amount of heat.

---

Then what's the point in having a cooling system?
If it helps keep it cool, it works. Obviously it's not going to stop all the problems though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Green4Ever

Then what's the point in having a cooling system?
If it helps keep it cool, it works. Obviously it's not going to stop all the problems though.

---

I think solving the underlying issue of having your system reach the atmospheric boiling point of water should be a priority over purchasing an accessory that drains more power, generates more heat, increases the profile, weight, and noise. There is absolutely no reason a laptop should reach those temperatures, especially for a piece of crap 2.0 GHz Dual Core with no dedicated video.

I know this is a tough concept, but for a fan to work, it needs to have an inlet, an outlet, and airflow. If you rest it on a flat surface or your legs, obviously, the airflow will be blocked.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JoeTang

I think solving the underlying issue of having your system reach the atmospheric boiling point of water should be a priority over purchasing an accessory that drains more power, generates more heat, increases the profile, weight, and noise. There is absolutely no reason a laptop should reach those temperatures, especially for a piece of crap 2.0 GHz Dual Core with no dedicated video.

---

Agreed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JoeTang

I know this is a tough concept, but for a fan to work, it needs to have an inlet, an outlet, and airflow. If you rest it on a flat surface or your legs, obviously, the airflow will be blocked.

---

Kind of hard to explain in words but I can assure you there is plenty of airflow with the way I have mine set up.

I'm not familiar with hardware/overclocking so don't fry me. I still am heavily against putting $30 for an external cooling fan that will probably lower your system's temperature by 2-3 degrees. I don't usually know how close to max temperature a CPU should get according to the manufacturer's information. I tried looking up the Intel Pentium T4200 and it lists it's maximum at 105: Link.

Common knowledge dictates though that the cooler, the better. I actually have an overheating laptop stashed away in my room that crashes due to overheat. I'll measure it for relative tolerance and get back to you in my next post, although Red Delicious to Granny Smith, every CPU is different.

Another site that posts advice on what you can do:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by computerhope

The cooler the processor runs the more performance you are going to get out of it. Therefore, if you're looking to overclock your processor or if it's getting too hot, you may need to consider any or all of the below recommendations.

1. Keep the computer clean - Over time dust, dirt and hair can build up and prevent air from getting in or out of the case. Make sure your computer case and ventilation is cleaned.

2. Improve computer's environment - Make sure the computer is running in a good location. The computer should not be in an enclosed space such as a drawer or cabinet unless there is plenty of ventilation such as the back of the drawer or cabinet is removed. The computer should not be in a tight space, there should be at least a two-inch space on both sides of the computer as well as in the front and back of the computer.

3. Verify fans - Make sure all fans in the computer are properly working. Some motherboards and computers have fan monitors that will display the RPM of each of the major fans in the computer and if they are operating properly. Otherwise, you will need to check each of the fans and look for any spinning issues or listen for any abnormal noises to determine if the fans are properly working.

4. More fans - Consider installing additional fans into the computer. Almost all computers will come included with a heatsink and fan, as well as a case fan. However, most cases will have the availability to install a second case fan that can help bring in additional air and help keep the computer cool. Computer enthusiasts and many overclockers may also create their own air ducts with fans to help bring in additional air or take out more of the hot air.

5. Better fans - Many computers and processors will come with cheap fans to help bring down the overall cost of the computer. Installing improved fans or heatsinks that can move the heat away from the processor better and faster can keep the processor cool.

6. Alternative solutions - More advanced users or users who are overclocking may also wish to consider alternative solutions such as water cooled solutions to keep their processors cool.

---

Link

My laptop runs perfectly by using a small eraser behind it to keep it at an angle, freeing some space below it.
And it's a Dell alienware big baddy, so it produces quite a lot of heat.

I did the whole "prop it up on something" thing, and that dropped my average running temp down like 20-30 degrees. thanks for the tip.
I'd take it apart and clean it out thoroughly, but I'm not sure I could put it back together again. Laptops are tricky like that. And I'm not going to use canned air, because forcing the dust deeper into the case wouldn't solve anything.

People need to learn to clean their machines more often. I wonder why this isn't already common public knowledge and there aren't enough guides out there. Manufacturers also need to stick to some standard layout.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kalovale

People need to learn to clean their machines more often. I wonder why this isn't already common public knowledge and there aren't enough guides out there. Manufacturers also need to stick to some standard layout.

---

I think it's mainly because more and more people are starting to use Laptops, which can be tricky to take apart and put back together. Desktops are relatively easy to take apart and clean and people still don't do it often enough...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kalovale

People need to learn to clean their machines more often. I wonder why this isn't already common public knowledge and there aren't enough guides out there. Manufacturers also need to stick to some standard layout.

---

To be completely fair, it's also a failure in terms of education.
I took a computer service/repair course at a trade school a year or so back and none of this was ever covered.
That's why I was at a loss yesterday, and I still can't figure out why it ran that hot to begin with. I didn't have anything processor intensive running at all.

Trust me on this one.
My laptop once literally burned my lap.
Clean it. All you gotta do is clean the van. Do it yourself or let someone do it.
It works like a charm. I really thought that wasnt gonna help me with anything but my god it did.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MuscleWizard

I did the whole "prop it up on something" thing, and that dropped my average running temp down like 20-30 degrees. thanks for the tip.
I'd take it apart and clean it out thoroughly, but I'm not sure I could put it back together again. Laptops are tricky like that. And I'm not going to use canned air, because forcing the dust deeper into the case wouldn't solve anything.

---

Canned air works fine if you use it right.

Cleaning my old laptop was just a matter of removing a cover on the bottom side of the laptop, was held in by like five screws. Cleaned it up, put the cover back on, continued with day. The process for cleaning yours is probably something incredibly similar. Provided you don't do it while the thing is on, and exercise the usual caution for "I'm messing with my hardware" scenarios, shouldn't be difficult or harmful.

Could also probably stop by a Best Buy or something, ask the tech help people to show you how to do it.