Thursday, 20 October 2011

Cooling Tips for Overheating Laptop

A computer generates a great amount of heat. Fortunately desktop computers are usually fitted up with large vents and fans to keep the computers reasonably cool. But the case is different with laptops as they are designed to skimp on vents and fans and not surprisingly, you have laptops that overheat providing you with one extra reason to go for laptop repair or laptop parts replacement.

The three principal causes of laptop overheating are

1) A non-functioning fan
2) Foreign matter clogging the vents and fans
3) External or environmental problems

It is easy to ascertain at least two of these problems after a thorough examination of the laptop. Before you begin with any sort of repair or diagnostic work on the laptop, first turn it off and remove all the cables and battery from the machine.

Fixing the Fan

The fan is used to either suck cool air into the mach ine or blow hot air out of it. Once you've found the fan, gently poke around into the fan vent and see if you can make the fan blades budge. Be careful with what you stick into the vent. You might try a plastic swizzle stick or the end of a cotton swab with the cotton removed. Next, hold the fan blades in place and shoot some compressed air into the vent. Make sure the compressed air is made for electronic cleaning and doesn't contain any liquids. If the compressed air doesn't do the trick, try an electronic vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning Out the Vents

You clean out the vents the same way you cleaned the fan, only with the addition of a cotton swab. Make sure when you're using the compressed air that you don't blow the material that's clogging the vents into another part of the machine. The electronic components inside the laptop can react adversely when exposed to static and other intrusions. Once done, then hook everything back up and power on. If your fans don't kick in at this point, you probably have a more serious problem, and you'd be better off and just let the professional work on it.

Ways of keeping Laptop Cool

Avoid setting up laptop on a bed or pillow as it might be comfortable for you, but it essentially smothers the laptop, preventing the intake of cool air and the release of hot air.

Think of some way to keep the bottom of your laptop elevated so air can circulate underneath it and to the sides. You can use rubber feet on the bottom of some laptops, books, rules, bottle caps etc., whatever will prop the machine up. Custom stands can be used and Cooling platforms are another popular solution to this problem.

Don't finish up with your laptop, close it, then shove it into a backpack, messenger bag, or carrying case; the confined space will trap heat and damage the laptop. Before you put your laptop into some sort of case, either turn it all the way off or set it to hibernate.

Re-adjust your power settings so as to generate less heat.

Laptop Overheating; Few Common Mistakes which can be avoided

Shut down if you spill anything on or near your laptop. Never keep your laptop in sleep mode for over an hour. Shut down if the battery is overheating. Don't place your laptop next to a vent blowing hot air or a radiator. Just as you would not leave a dog or child in a hot car, neither should you leave a laptop ther e. If you've been working in the sunshine and your laptop starts overheating, you should move into the shade.

And it goes without saying, don't buy a laptop with insufficient vents and fans, or that has a reputation for overheating. In case you have bought one and facing some problems, for all kinds of laptop maintenance, laptop repair and laptop parts replacement, visit: http://service.ztronics.com/alienware-repair-tuneups.html


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