Laptop question

KingIsaacLinksr · January 23, 2008, 08:33:36 PM

Found that my computer was bugging up yet again so I need to hear something from Laptop users, is a chill-pad with a fans a better thing to have? I have this: http://www.provantage.com/targus-pa241u~7TGUA03F.htm and figured it was good. But apparently that is not enough so is it possible that my computer is being damaged by over-heating? (would have been nice to know if this be true). And if it is true I need one, can anyone suggest one?

Thanks

Tim

Ktrek · January 23, 2008, 08:57:43 PM

Tim,

What kind of laptop do you have and has that model been prone to overheating? I would think that would be easy to research on the Net. Also, what kind of buggy problems do you have? Are you running anti-spyware and virus protection? Do you use a good firewall when online? And do you defrag on a regular basis? I know that some people think that if you have XP or Vista you do not need to defrag but that is absolutely not true. Especially if you do things like a lot of Internet activity that will cause fragmentation of your hard drive. I would recommend using Spybot and Adaware as both are free tools. Microsoft also has a protection program for spyware and it's worth running all three every couple of weeks. I have done so for several years now and I keep them all updated and use McAfee virus protection, that I run daily and I defrag one a month and I have never had one problem. Maintenance is the key.

Kevin

KingIsaacLinksr · January 23, 2008, 09:15:15 PM

Bah, not even worth to quote. ;)

Umm, I use a Gateway NX 860 (17in wide) and I've had it about 1.5 years. I've had it defraged recently. Virus scans might be a little old, but I have intentions of getting it through one when I go to sleep. I also have Spybot and adaware and use them frequently, although I've found that the new version of Adaware is incredibly prone to crash....nice one.

I'm not sure if I can define it as over heating. But I guess that high-usage/high-graphic use makes it overheat. As I've been reading, notebooks seem to tend to overheat more.

King

KingIsaacLinksr · January 23, 2008, 09:21:53 PM

Ok, I've narrowed the problems happening during movies/gaming. (Yes, gaming, I might be at college but I'm still going to have FUN!!) lol (Fun as I can hear you guys saying is wishful thinking) ;)

So, my guess is, is that the notebook's coolers can't keep up with these high-media-draining effects on it. So....should I get one?

King

Ktrek · January 23, 2008, 10:48:49 PM

If you use it for gaming etc. my question would have to be...do you have the most onboard memory you can install? Memory will make a huge difference in your performance because gaming is memory intensive. It may have nothing to do with cooling at all.

Kevin

KingIsaacLinksr · January 23, 2008, 11:08:17 PM

I have 2 GBs, I don't think I could extend it that much more and anything over 2 GB is mostly for bragging rights.

King

Ktrek · January 23, 2008, 11:18:43 PM

Yea that's plenty even for the most memory intensive. I guess I'm out of ideas but you are the first person I have known with a laptop to experience overheating problems. Not saying that overheating is not the issue it's just that living in a college town I have a lot of connections and so far nobody I know has had problems with a processor overheating. Not to say it couldn't happen it's just nobody I know has had such a problem.

Kevin

KingIsaacLinksr · January 23, 2008, 11:29:45 PM

Quote from: Ktrek on January 23, 2008, 11:18:43 PM
Yea that's plenty even for the most memory intensive. I guess I'm out of ideas but you are the first person I have known with a laptop to experience overheating problems. Not saying that overheating is not the issue it's just that living in a college town I have a lot of connections and so far nobody I know has had problems with a processor overheating. Not to say it couldn't happen it's just nobody I know has had such a problem.

Kevin

Well, notebooks are a bit notorious for overheating because they crammed everything into a small space. I'm going to get one, (fan-cooling stand) its a good investment anyway as it doesn't stress the computer nearly as much. And maybe it will finally end my troubles.

Tim

Ktrek · January 23, 2008, 11:43:02 PM

It won't end your problems if the overheating has already done damage! I'm sorry but if components are damaged due to overheating even laying on of hands will not make a difference!

Kevin

KingIsaacLinksr · January 24, 2008, 12:20:04 AM

Quote from: Ktrek on January 23, 2008, 11:43:02 PM
It won't end your problems if the overheating has already done damage! I'm sorry but if components are damaged due to overheating even laying on of hands will not make a difference!

Kevin

Well, I've talked with some other people. They don't think any damage has been done yet and suggest avoiding anymore possibilities.

Tim

Rico · January 24, 2008, 05:06:22 AM

Tim,
We had a laptop that was shutting down due to overheating. I tried a little base with extra fans in it to help but it didn't fix things much. Here is what really helped. Cleaning it out inside of dust and debris. Overtime, little bits of dust get inside and really impact the circulation and cooling going on. There are a couple ways to clean it. The best would be to take the laptop apart and vacuum or blow out the dust. I had trouble getting to the problem area on ours so I just used compressed air and blew it through the vents and fan areas on the laptop. This can be a little tricky. Be careful not to over do it. You will be amazed at how much junk comes out I think. After I did that it's been running great for months (and it used to shutdown daily due to heat). Good luck.

jedijeff · January 24, 2008, 06:24:56 AM

I know last year my work laptop started having problems, with crashing when it was moved. It turned out the many other people had the same issue due to the way the laptop was designed. From what I read, it was the way the Video chip was attached to the board and over time it would come loose. Over Christmas, a co worker of mine had the exact same problem. Fortunately for us, they are work computers, and replaced at no cost to us. I would probably research the net like Kevin mentioned to make sure there is not an issue with your Laptop Model. I know when I did for mine, I found it was a very common problem for my Model of Laptop. I also agree with Rico, it could have a lots of Dust and dirt in it, so cleaning it might not be a bad idea as well.

KingIsaacLinksr · January 24, 2008, 09:55:12 AM

I had it cleaned out of dust with compressed air a week ago. I don't think thats the problem...but I suppose I could try again. If the video clip is coming loose....that would seriously annoy me.

Now I'm really concerned that something got fried in the computer as it is having trouble playing another game.. This is really frustrating as I cannot be sure of the cause. And the last thing I want to do is buy a new laptop. However, if this thing has come to the end of its "life expectancy"...grrrrr

KingIsaacLinksr · January 24, 2008, 09:58:21 AM

I really wish there was someway I could have the system fully checked without paying some enormous bill for it...

KingIsaacLinksr · January 24, 2008, 10:09:19 AM

Does anyone know a simple way of knowing if anything hardware-wise was damaged/isn't working? I'd ask tech-support, but I don't even know what I'd ask them...

Gah, this is frustrating cause I'm not sure if its a hardware issue, software issue, or just simple internet issue. I've never been so irritated.

Tim