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Most of the new P4 and other high CPU clock speed laptops move a lot of air to keep them cool. Many have dual fans rather than just a single fan. A laptop a young as 6 months can have the cooling passages and heat sink compromised by dust. Overheating laptops can cook hard drives over time and cause the machines to lock up and become unstable. I have been really surprised at what I have been seeing lately!
Compressed air cans work most of the time, but an air compressor can do a better job. Most of the newer, smaller air compressors are oilless pump design or diaphram, so this deals with the oil concern. You just need to be really careful about the overall air pressure you use when cleaning with an air compressor. I actually carry an air compressor with me now due to all the dust issues I run across. Vaccum cleaners can also help with laptops. Use the suction hose on the air outlet and pull air through the cooling passage.
Computers that are on 24/7 are really room air cleaners. Better than what Sharper Image sells!! Big electrostatic box with air moving through it constantly. Most desktops need to be cleaned/blown out at least 1 time per year if left on 24/7!
Blow out the air passages, put a 1 inch book under the rear of the laptop or buy a cooling pad with at least 2 fans in it. Check for BIOS updates from the laptop vendors support page. Some of the BIOS updates are catch 22. Some help cooling, but impact battery life, some actually reduce the fan speeds and frequency of operation due to fan noise complaints! Do not run CPU intensive programs on "desktop" replacement laptops as you will have problems.
I prefer laptops with CPU speeds less than 1.5 GHz for heat, battery life and overall stability. My favorite machines are my P3 500 MHz and 1Ghz units that the fan rarely runs on and have never cooked the hard drives! They work and do exactly what I need them to do!
JamesO
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