Fan

[tunna]

Hi guys,

 

I have another question. My laptop was overheating and I recently cleaned it but it still gets pretty warm. Is there any way I can upgrade or get a better fan? I use a cooling pad underneath my laptop already.

 

Thanks,

Zoe

[RandyL]

Just a thought. I have a cooling pad with a fan. It powers via USB right off the computer. Obviously this would consume some battery life but if you're connected via a plug-in it works great and no need for a seperate plug.

[KenB]

Hi again Zoe

 

Download Speccy from here ( if you don't have it already :) )

http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download

 

You want the free version.

 

Run it and post the temperatures - after you have been using the laptop for a while.

[tunna]

Hi

 

Thank you both for the suggestions. I had one of those USB pads but then one day it stopped working and I can't put the laptop on my lap or my bed when I'm using it. I was looking for a more permanent solution.

 

I'll wait a bit and use the spec :)

[tunna]

Hey :)

 

I've run the speccy.

 

Hard drive temp: 41 degrees

CPU and Motherboard: fluctuated between 78- 89 degrees.

 

Last one can't be good! Is there any way to improve it?

I'm not sure how familiar you guys are with my specific laptop considering it's quite old. The fan is in the top left corner under the esc key, which isn't anywhere near the hard drive or the CPU.

[Synapse]

Can you just give us a bit more info....

 

What is the make and model of your laptop?

 

You say you have cleaned it, what parts did you clean?

 

It is important because different models of CPU run at different temps, some do run at 55 degrees on a desktop machine, others run at 35 degrees for example. Also, laptop fans often draw the air through a heatsink which has a copper cooling fins type arrangement. Even after fans are cleaned the fins can be full of dust, and air just can't get through very well. Hence fans spin quickly and laptops are still too hot.

[tunna]

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=8C163A5131D926C3

 

I recently upgraded the RAM to 2 gb which is the maximum it can take. I took my whole laptop apart to clean the fan because you can't really get to it without pulling out the keyboard, disconnecting the speakers and wireless button. I wiped down the heat sink, graphics card and CPU. I'm not sure if the fins are full of dust. I wiped what I could see down and used compressed air to get to narrow bits.

[tunna]

Is my computer running at the right temperatures?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again from me Zoe, the 89 degrees, if in Centigrade is a little worrying. Just wondering if during cleaning you disturbed the contact of the heatsink to the CPU so it isn't taking the heat away.

 

If the heatsink has been removed, on any computer, the original thermal compound should be cleaned off and replaced with fresh compound anyway.

From what you say, I don't think you did remove the heatsink, but could have disturbed that contact so the heat is no longer being carried away by the heatsink.

 

Nev.

[tunna]

Hi thanks for replying Nev

 

Should I remove the components again and put some more of that gel on? Will my computer last for another week or so before I fix it? I've got some coursework due in (as usual)!

[KenB]

Hi

 

If your machine is running OK apart from running hot - then I would be inclined to leave it until after your coursework deadline.

:)

[tunna]

Ok thanks :D

 

It's such a pain getting into the heat sink and fan...you have to open the whole thing up >.<

[Plastic Nev]

Laptops are a daunting task to open and to get at stuff, but congratulations at doing so. In most cases that is when folks give in and take it to a shop.

 

Once you have time again to do so, and have it apart, if any difficulty in separating the fan from heat sink, and heat sink from CPU, let us know.

In the mean time, a website I found some time ago which is extremely helpful regarding laptop work and maintenance in general is worth a look at here=

 

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/

 

It is a very big site now as the guy running it seems to do so in the form of a BLOG, but it isn't too difficult to navigate to required sections.

 

Nev.

[tunna]

Thank you for all the help :)

 

I prized mine open with some cheap screw drivers. It's a matter of patience. I can do it a lot quicker now because when my ribbon cable burnt out, I had to take it apart quite a few times! I've not got a background in IT but I've learnt a lot because I'm a cheap skate. There's no way I'm taking my computer to someone who is going to take it apart as easily as those people on youtube and for me to pay through the nose...not happening!!! Unfortunately, I'm now the household laptop cleaner :|

 

I think my Toshiba is just badly designed because my flatmate's Acer has a panel under the fan and although you can't get to the heat sink. It's just easier to take apart because of the numerous small panels. I went on the Toshiba to ask for advice and got a good telling off by some boffin who said I shouldn't have cleaned my computer and then they deleted my thread D:

[Plastic Nev]

If any consolation my laptop is also a toshiba, the Satellite A60, a bit older than yours, and that is a nightmare to dismantle. For an idea of what is involved, the guy lists 25 steps in the process here=

 

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/ToshibaA65/satA65_1.htm

 

Nev.

[tunna]

It's weird...my laptop works better than my Uncle's brand new Dell xD

 

I'm ordering more of the gel from eBay so I can dismantle the whole thing later in the week.

[KenB]

Hi

 

If you do intend to replace the thermal paste you will need to get rid of the old stuff by using rubbing alcohol ( from any pharmacy ).

Spread a thin layer over one of the surfaces and re-connect.

[tunna]

Hi Ken,

 

I swear I did that last time but it's still quite hot. It's improved quite a bit from before but the temps are still quite high aren't they?

[KenB]

89 C is getting quite hot.

If your machine is overheating it will probably shut down.

 

If it is running OK the I would be tempted to leave well alone - or until it starts being a problem.

[tunna]

It used to shut down and go to blue screen but then my computer felt a lot hotter before. I couldn't even put it on my lap! Now it only feels hot at the back where my heat sink is. Would the prolonged overheating do irreversible damage to the CPU?

 

Is there any specific type of thermal compound you would recommend I use?

[Synapse]

Nail varnish remover, aka Acetone is also great at removing heatsink paste :)

 

Arctic Silver is good paste.

 

CPU will be fine as along as it runs within limits, its an L40, what model?

[tunna]

It's an L40-14l. It's ancient!

 

I used rubbing alcohol last time, maybe that wasn't enough?

 

Thanks, I'll order some Arctic Silver. There's some white, some grey and some gold :| so wasn't sure which one.

 

Thanks for the help :)