Laptop cooling

[tehtank]

I currently have a Dell 5150. It runs hot, really hot. Wether I'm running music + browsing the internet, or trying to play a game(hah, games.. when I try to play a game, the computer freezes, then bluescreens, and restarts. when feeling the air coming out the back, it is really really hot).

Are there any aftermarket cooling parts, maybe a stronger fan or a better heatsink or something? Do those cooling pads that you put under your laptop with fans on them work? This is getting a little crazy =/

 

[iamtrout]

There is a problem with Dell laptops in which dust gets trapped in the cooling system and blocks up airflow.

Try this:
1. Get a can of compressed air (office supply stores for blowing away dust from monitors, keyboards, etc.)
2. Turn off laptop.
3. Blow compressed air into the vents of your laptop near the exhaust and intake.
4. Watch a large puff of dust come flying out.
5. Do this every so often as routine maintenance for your laptop.

 

[tehtank]

Yeah, I've read that when searching for answers on this. I got the can, blew away the dust, problem still persists. Air is still incredibly hot coming out the back.

 

[tehtank]

If it helps any, my specs are as follows:

P4 2.8 w/ HT
512mb DDR ram
40gb HD
Goforce fx5200? 64mb

 

[iamtrout]

Have you tried ctrl+alt+delete to get into task manager and see which programs are utilizing the most CPU? I've had this happen to me a few times and it was due to spyware in the background. Will the problem persist after you format your drive?

 

[Mloot]

I bought the original version of this laptop cooler for my wife's Athlon XP notebook, and it made a huge difference in the temperature. Definitely worth the money I spent on it.

 

[beatle]

Is the laptop still under warranty? If you've checked for spyware and the search turns up negative, I'd give Dell a call. Bluescreens shoudln't be a part of everyday computing. 🙂