hot laptop

harrys_nan

can anyone recommend a mat or anything that i can sit my laptop on to stop it overheating.
dont want to waste my money on something that doesn't work.

Niv

Is it overheating or is it just warm? If it is overheating there may be another issue with your lappy, like a broken fan maybe? As for a mat, I just use mine on a hard flat surface as that allows air flow due to teh feet lifting it slightly off the surface. My main fan is on teh back though.

Niv

harrys_nan

Hi,
I don't think,at least i hope there isn't anything wrong , its only 17months old and ive had to have the hard drive changed twice but think that just an easy option for dell.
I think i can hear the fan sometimes but i do use laptop a lot , it was burning my legs when in use but I now have a pad to sit it on, the problem now is that sometimes when ive shut the lid and then go back to it later it wont re-start again have to log into everything

closed

that sounds like a hibernation/sleep problem.

if the vents are on the bottom, flat surfaces can be a bad idea.

cooling pads are a waste of money

free4440273

harrys_nan wrote: »

Hi,
I don't think,at least i hope there isn't anything wrong , its only 17months old and ive had to have the hard drive changed twice but think that just an easy option for dell.
I think i can hear the fan sometimes but i do use laptop a lot , it was burning my legs when in use but I now have a pad to sit it on, the problem now is that sometimes when ive shut the lid and then go back to it later it wont re-start again have to log into everything

that's often a safety precaution determined in the bios -- if it reaches a max temp. then it will shut down until the bios detects a cooling temperature. the screen is usually first to turn off, and then the machine itself .

GunJack

it sounds like it needs to have the "furry slug" that's no doubt built up between the fan housing and heatsink removed, and the whole area cleaned out.

Laptops are not designed to be used on legs, cushions, duvets, carpets, etc. as the sucking in of fibres and dust will lead to the blockage and overheating

...and it's probably the excessive heat that's been killing the hdd...

NeverAgain_2

My MacBook Pro has a solid aluminium base so can be used on my lap without blocking any vents.

The left hand side gets warm, I'm guessing that's where the battery is, but the fan never comes on.

The vents are along the edge where the screen hinges.

I can sometimes feel a little warm air convecting through them.

harrys_nan

Thanks for the replies,:) will have to go figure out what to do next.

Yolina

I use the rack that came with a roasting tin it raises everything enough to ensure that the air can circulate freely... Any kind of raised wire rack will do the job so have a look in your kitchen, if you haven't got anything suitable, head to your nearest pound shop...

harrys_nan

Yolina wrote: »

I use the rack that came with a roasting tin it raises everything enough to ensure that the air can circulate freely... Any kind of raised wire rack will do the job so have a look in your kitchen, if you haven't got anything suitable, head to your nearest pound shop...

thats a good idea :T

parsonswife8

I bought a hard plastic device in Poundland that opens out like a smaller upside down V in the front and a bigger V at the back. The laptop rests on this and the back part is elevated, allowing air to circulate underneath..

They were on the back wall with all the other techie stuff.

It's absolutely solved the problem of the lappy overheating, for me.