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Laptop dying

Hi

I think my laptop may well be dying. I bought a cheap inspiron 1300 about 3 years ago and it gets fairly heavy usage. How long do these things last? It just turned itself off totally 5 mins ago. I unscrewed all the back bits and just blew at them in the vague hope it might give a bit of a clean. Fired it back up and miraculously it seems to be ok...for now. Its been getting very hot very quickly as well but thats been going on for a while. A few quick questions; as asked, how long would i expect it to last, if it broke with unbacked up info on is there anyway to get that back, could my blowing have done anything, is there anything else i can do to help?

I know very little about techie stuff so simple answers would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance
bobn
And if, you know, your history...
«1

Comments

  • Donnie
    Donnie Posts: 9,862 Forumite
    Is the fan that cools the CPU/Motherboard still working? Maybe it turned itself off because it was running too hot.
  • I dont think it was that as i'd only just started using it this morning. I dont think it's getting STUPIDLY hot, just more than it used to. How would i know about the fan?
    And if, you know, your history...
  • Was the insides full of dust and stuff. A good clear out could improve ventilation
  • Didnt seem to be any obvious dust and i'm not sure the fan was one of the bits i could open.
    And if, you know, your history...
  • Donnie
    Donnie Posts: 9,862 Forumite
    dixie_dean wrote: »
    I dont think it was that as i'd only just started using it this morning. I dont think it's getting STUPIDLY hot, just more than it used to. How would i know about the fan?

    Mine you can hear working. Not sure about the Dells. Can you hear the fan working from time to time?
  • yeah, pretty sure you can hear it working from time to time.
    And if, you know, your history...
  • Donnie
    Donnie Posts: 9,862 Forumite
    Other than the earlier suggestion of making sure there are no obstructions, I'm not sure what to recommend.

    You can run certain software, such as SpeedFan, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it the initiated.
  • Has anyone got answers to my other questions please?
    And if, you know, your history...
  • i would start backing up your important files to CD/USB memory stick right away just incase it gives up all together.
    "Well, that sounds like a pretty good deal. But I think I got a better one. How about I give you the finger, and you give me my phone call"
    "There is no spoon
    "

    ~~MSE BSC member #172~~
  • Donnie
    Donnie Posts: 9,862 Forumite
    Depends what fails on the laptop. As long as it's not the hard drive, all the info can be retrieved.
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