# Is it worth trying to repair my laptop? Overheating problems **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 19, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198 "2008-02-19T01:07:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![katie1341](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@katie1341](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katie1341)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/1 "2008-02-19T01:07:03Z")
I have an HP Pavillion laptop that is about 3 years old. 6 months or so ago, it started overheating and shutting down when I used it- sometimes after 5 minutes, sometimes after an hour. It’s gotten worse lately, although I did get a laptop cooler thingy that seems to help. I still have to keep checking it and shutting it down when it’s getting hot so it won’t do it on its own. I can’t really afford a new laptop right now, but if I absolutely have to I suppose I could put a new one on a credit card (and that new wafer-thin Mac is soooo tempting…). Is it worth trying to repair a 3-yr-old laptop? Is there even any way to fix this problem? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/2 "2008-02-19T01:32:28Z")
9 times out of 10, gradually worsening overheating issues are due to dust, hair, lint and dirt clogging up the fans and/or heatsink fins. If you can find someone to open it for you and vacuum it out, this may solve the problem. While you’re in there, check to see if any heatsinks are loose–if there’s any separation between the heatsink surface and the chip, it won’t cool effectively. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/3 "2008-02-19T01:41:24Z")
You might be in luck: [http://www.hpnotebooksettlement.com/](http://www.hpnotebooksettlement.com/) Note that deadlines are quickly approaching. (Note: I’m participating in this as a member of the class. I had an HP ZD7000 whose power supply snapped off the motherboard, and I paid a bunch to replace it. If the settlement goes through next month, I should get a full refund. If you’re covered under the settlement, and you haven’t fixed it yet, they’ll fix it for free.) ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/4 "2008-02-19T01:43:36Z")
I agree with **Q.E.D.** … taking it apart is optimal, but you can probably fix it with the generous application of canned of air. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/5 "2008-02-19T02:02:33Z")
Been there - Done that I own a ZD7000 and had to clean it out. It’s very likely clogged with dust. You cannot remove this just by blowing or sucking on the vents as the dust has settled and clumped together over the years and needs to be removed with a brush once the vents are exposed. Canned air will move a little of it off but the majority will remain stuck to the cooling fins unless exposed and brushed away. Will likely require some chassis disassembly to accomplish this. [This forum might be helpful for Pavilions](http://www.r3000forums.com/viewforum.php?f=123). ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/6 "2008-02-19T02:10:11Z")
See [Get the dust out of your ZD7000 NOW!](http://www.zd7000forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=7661) ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/7 "2008-02-19T02:35:39Z")
Ha! I have the exact problem with my laptop. Yesterday was pretty bad but today I couldn’t even get it to stay on for more than five minutes. I did a google search and got the same information in this thread. Then I did two things. One, I downloaded Speedfan. It’s free software that tells you just how hot the internal workings of your computer are. I realized from looking at the program’s feedback that my computer was way too hot. So then I went to the store and bought a chilling pad-thingy that hooks up to my USB. My Speedfan program is reporting nice temperatures now. I’ve been using my laptop all afternoon with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/8 "2008-02-19T02:44:22Z")
[QUOTE=monstro] Ha! I have the exact problem with my laptop. Yesterday was pretty bad but today I couldn’t even get it to stay on for more than five minutes. I did a google search and got the same information in this thread. Then I did two things. One, I downloaded Speedfan. It’s free software that tells you just how hot the internal workings of your computer are. I realized from looking at the program’s feedback that my computer was way too hot. So then I went to the store and bought a chilling pad-thingy that hooks up to my USB. My Speedfan program is reporting nice temperatures now. I’ve been using my laptop all afternoon with no problems. [/QUOTE] An external cooling fan will help, but overheating is often indicative of a dust buildup or a malfunctioning internal fan and your CPU may still be getting overcooked to a degree even with an external fan assist. If your notebook is worth any $$ it would be worth getting it looked at re getting cleaned out. ---
**Author:** ![katie1341](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@katie1341](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katie1341)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/9 "2008-02-19T02:47:13Z")
The dust / haair thing makes a lot of sense, I have a dog and two cats whose prime directive appears to be shedding as much as possible. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/10 "2008-02-19T03:19:58Z")
[QUOTE=Nanoda] I agree with **Q.E.D.** … taking it apart is optimal, but you can probably fix it with the generous application of canned of air. [/QUOTE] Warning, taking apart a laptop to get to some areas can be quite a chore and involve dozens of parts and lots of tiny screws. If you have a friend with an air compressor they might be able to do a better job of dislocating some of the built up crud with minimal disassembly. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-trying-to-repair-my-laptop-overheating-problems/438198/11 "2008-02-19T03:23:36Z")
[QUOTE=drachillix] If you have a friend with an air compressor they might be able to do a better job of dislocating some of the built up crud with minimal disassembly. [/QUOTE] Warning, part deux: This can force crud into places where you definitely don’t want it. I’d be careful about blasting high-pressure air in there, if I were you.