How to stop Dell laptop from overheating?

[Alpha1851]

I borrowed these questions/points from Corny's sticky...

Describe the symptoms of your problem or bug carefully and clearly.Describe the environment in which it occurs (machine, OS, application, version, whatever)
I have a Dell laptop (windows XP) and the fan starts running very loudly within a few minutes of start up. After about three hours, the bottom of the computer literally burns me. I have to stick a book underneath the computer in order to continue using it. Only the bottom becomes hot, the rest is still comfortable to touch. It also stops working (kind of). The whole system doesn't shut down but I'll have a message "COM..." must close to protect your computer. At that point, my internet window closes as does my microsoft word window. This occurs at any point, it doesn't matter if I'm researching, writing, watching a film, whatever. However, this has been occurring for about three months and it isn't getting worse with time. I use my laptop for about twelve consecutive hrs. I try to let it "rest" at home by using the desk top but this isn't always possible. Sometimes, I'll use my computer while I'm in the middle of taking a shower. The alarm will sound and I'll jump out to check my email. I try not to get it wet though. This rarely, rarely ever happens--only when there's something very important going on.

Describe the research you did to try and understand the problem before you asked the question.
First, I tried finding the information in my owner's manual to no avail. Then I read Computers for Dummies. That's how I found out that my computer was overheating.

Describe the diagnostic steps you took to try and pin down the problem yourself before you asked the question.Computers for Dummies recommended that I clean the fan to ensure that it wasn't being blocked. I cleaned the fan. When this didn't help, I took my lap top to the IT department at work. They cleaned my entire computer (I eat while working on it which is wrong but often nec). They also told me that my computer was being overworked since I was close to maxing out my memory. I usually added more memory each time but they recommended cutting some of it out. So, I bought an external hard drive and removed all of the files that I don't need on a regular basis. I have 100GB free now on my laptop. That didn't help either. My computer has had a "wellness" diagnostic test and it came back fine. Also, I use the Spyware Doctor for protection and Kapersky (sp?) so I'm pretty sure that my computer isn't infected. Since it isn't that big of a problem, I've just been ignoring it and using books to take the heat off. However, this past weekend I went to Best Buy and they rec. this type of "cooling pad" for my laptop. Apparently the lap top just sits on top of the computer and it keeps it cool. It looks dorky and I can't carry that thing around w/ me. I take my laptop everywhere!! It's vital to my job!

Describe any possibly relevant recent changes in your computer or software configuration.
Nothing that I can think of. I never use my screen saver and I rarely shut my computer down...but this isn't new behavior. I'm not sure if it matters but my laptop has some type of "cloaking" device on it to let the dept know if it's being hacked into. This device has been on my computer for about seven months now. Also, my IP address is dynamic (I think. Dynamic is the one that changes...mine constantly changes).

I'm sure that was boring. So, is the overheating fixable or do I need to purchase a new laptop?

 

[Alpha1851]

I'll definitely try that jav1231. Thanks so much for reading through my long post and for providing solutions!

 

[digitaldude5]

A major problem with the older Inspiron line is the fact that their heat sink is a major design flaw. The majority of the heat in the escapes through the bottom. I had the same problem with my old one, and I researched online and found the Targus Chillmat (http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=pa248u) to be a major help. It pulls heat from the bottom of the laptop and shoots it out a vent in the back. It runs through a USB and is whisper-quiet, and really helps a ton.

Hope this helps!

 

[Corny]

yeah, i'd be interested about the CPU load as well. right click on your taskbar and choose "task manager" choose system power (i believe, middle tab) and have a look at the cpu load %.

was the the fan always acting like that? or did it just recently start to spin at max speed and so loudly?

and great to see that actually somebody reads the sticky

 

[trawler69]

Sometimes the white heat sink compount that goes between the processor and the heatsink, dries out and doesn't allow the heatsink to conduct the heat away. I have seen this happen a few times with the results you are experiencing. It is easy to replace / re-fix.

 

[Alpha1851]

Thanks so much to you guys for replying and for giving such great advice! You fellas are brilliant. That was so over my head--I had to look up DOS, CPU, Inspirion and the like. I have definitely learned a lot about computers from this.

My laptop is a Dell Latitude D620 and it's about two years old. The fan is at the back and it does run. I haven't been blocking it (good ole Computers for Dummies) It's "normal" until the poor thing overheats and then it runs like crazy to try to cool the poor thing down. This has been going on since December at least.

My CPU usage stayed at about 5% but it did jump to 13% and 36% for a second--that happened just once. No idea why. But, the cloaking device is always working and I can't turn it off. Actually, I'm not that sure what a cloaking device is except that it's supposed to let the dept know if someone is trying to access my computer and it's supposed block hijackers.

I don't usually shut my computer down or use the screen saver but when I close it, the laptop does go into "sleeper mode" as Comet put it.

I'm afraid to take jav1231's advice until I have EVERYTHING backed up twice! I will do this over the weekend though and give it a try. If that doesn't work, I plan to look into purchasing the stuff that Trawler and Digitaldude suggested.

My poor battery died today and I'm wondering if that had something to do w/ it? I have one on order and it should be here shortly so I'll find out then. Of course, it overheats even when the laptop is plugged up.

I'm glad that I posted this question since I've basically been ignoring the problem. I don't want my computer to die or melt--I'm very attached to the thing. It's been my buddy since law school and it's very faithful and dependable.

If replacing the battery doesn't work, I intend to start w/ ya'lls suggestions. I'll post what worked so that someone else can try it if they have problems.

Thanks again guys

 

[Alpha1851]

Well, the entire thing is still under warranty for about three more yrs. I wouldn't want to buy a mac--they aren't compatable w/ most of the porn sites

Besides, I'm very, very attached to THIS laptop--I've named it and everything. I know it sounds silly to become attached to an inanimate object but we seriously bonded in school

 

[swerve]

ALPHA...

No ones mentioned the Dell Battery Recall yet...

I'm not saying you're affected by it...

BUT -- the symptoms are eerily similar...

https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/batterymodels.aspx

I have a 3 year old Dell Inspiron -- and my battery WAS affected...

They had to replace it TWICE!!!

Check it out -- JUST IN CASE...

Best of luck to you...

 

[Corny]

ok .. so we can rule the cpu load out. next check is for faulty drivers and/or spy/ad/spamware (in case that your software didn't catch it).
when booting the laptop, press the f8 key just before windows starts loading (just hit it like every 2 seconds during startup). when you got the timing right, you will get a boot menu. choose "boot in safe mode". when the laptop is done booting, please wait some time and check if the fan starts running loud again - don't do anything else. when you are done, just reboot the system like usual.

if it did NOT make noise and overheat in "safe" mode, now please do "start-> run" and enter the command "cmd" (sans quotes) and click ok. you get a command prompt.
there enter "netstat -a" (sans quotes) and press enter. post the output here.

if the fan DID get loud in safe mode, too, simply something is broken. maybe the heatsink, maybe the fan control .. something slows the airflow or whatever. someone needs to open it and have a look.

 

[Alpha1851]

Thanks again fellas! You all are on top of it as usual. I checked my four batteries and none are effected by the recall.

Another thing that I forgot to mention is that I get a lot of "error messages" while I'm working. They usually have a bunch of numbers in quotes and mentions something about an error w/ reference memory and that it must close. It also asks if I want to exit or debug the program. Yes, I'm not the brightest when it comes to techno language.

Corny, I LOVE your step-by-step instructions. It really helps. I'm off to conduct this little experiment. I feel like a member of The Geek Squad!!

 

[Alpha1851]

Oh my goodness there is a fan at the bottom too. I totally missed that before. Why in the hell did the designers create it that way??? Maybe no one will notice that I'm sitting awkwardly from now on. That cooling pad from Best Buy isn't looking so dorky now.

Ok, Corny, I can't really tell if the fan is making that noise in safe mode or not. I can't login into the computer in safemode. It won't accept my password. The bottom was sort of hot but not as hot as when I'm using it. But then again, I normally stay on it for hours before I notice it's burning me to begin with.

I tried running the command netstart-a and my computer says, "netstat-a is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program file or batch file."

I also get a lot of "WMI" must shut down in order to protect your computer and various runtime errors. The latest just occurred and it was "C++" had to close b/c of a runtime error. Whatever that means (C++ is programing I think...I'd need to look it up). I'm in the special olympics of computer knowledge.

 

[_AJ_]

Easy

 

[bigpimpboy14]

...I tried running the command netstart-a and my computer says, "netstat-a is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program file or batch file."...

the command should be "netstat -a" that is, "netstat[space]-a" missed the space there.

 

[Alpha1851]

^Thanks for catching my mistake. Okay, I ran the command the correct way and nothing interesting happened. A pg popped up w/ my computer nickname, all of my recent IP address numbers (mine changes. I think that's called a dynamic address,) and the names of the various wireless networks I've accessed. That's about it.

 

[Corny]

in safe you have to be logged in as an administrator. you should have the administrator login for your machine

ok since you now discovered the fan at the bottom .. does it also overheat when this is not covered? for notebooks like this, there are those funny "cooling pads" that some people already recommended.

"nestat -a" should not list your ip adresses and network devices (that is what "ipconfig") does. netstat -a should list the various active connections on your machine, and i wanted to have a look if the is something suspicious amongst them.

 

[Alpha1851]

ok since you now discovered the fan at the bottom .. does it also overheat when this is not covered?

No it doesn't overheat when I leave the bottom uncovered.

Sorry guys. When I read my manual and that computer book about the air vent, I assumed that the vents were in the back of the computer. I never thought to look at the bottom. I know that's silly of me. I didn't discover the bottom fan until I needed to take the battery out to check for the recall number. I was extra mindful of the little vent today and there hasn't been a problem.

Problem solved! Thanks so much guys!

 

[Corny]

well sometimes even computer problems are simple

 

[OptimalOptimus]

Go through you computer and clean up it's files. and then take it to a repair shop. there are many things that could be making it overheat. it's good that you can hear the cooling fan running, At least you know it's working. I had an old dell that would overheat dur to the cooling fan went out, and it kept overheating untill the CPU board warped to the point it wouldn't make contact with the motherboard, and the whole laptop was useless. SO go get it fixed ASAP, BEFORE that happends to you.