jr.lizardking

Hi, I have a Joybook laptop that I got, a Chinese model(long story how I came across it), but it has a problem where it seemingly overheats. When I first received the laptop(it was broken) I tried to fix it. I booted up Windows xp(a Chinese version) and it seemed to work , and run Windows XP. I then tried a windows xp setup disc of mine and it crashed when it started to load the actual setup after, loading hardware. I then tried my Ubuntu 7.04 disc and It would start to load then say "Critical Temperature (101 c) sending Sigkill to all processes" or something like that. I cant imagine the temperature being 101 degrees Celsius?! seems awfully high for 10 seconds into boot up. After a few tries I managed to get Ubuntu installed by keep trying, and now it boots up occasionally into Ubuntu, otherwise just gives me the temperature warning. I can sometimes Get it to start X , other times it wont properly load the display. I cant determine what to do next, taking it apart is sort of difficult, but im up for the task if it could possibly help.I was going to open it, but I didnt exactly know what to look for. Well hopefully I can get some replies , Ill check back frequently, Thanks.
Jamie

TheMatt

Hi Jamie,

Try opening up the bottom and using a can of compressed air to blow the dust out. Also, you should invest in a good aluminum cooling pad. I would avoid using the laptop as much as possible until you get this fixed.

jr.lizardking

Hmm Ok, thanks for the help, Ill try with the compressed air. What do you think about the temperature though? Is 102 C reasonable and possible withing 20 seconds of bootup? It didnt make too much sense to me.

TheMatt

I have seen laptops get that hot, but not that quickly. If the compressed air doesn't help, then you should probably reapply the thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink.

jr.lizardking

Hmm I tried blowing in the fans with compressed air, didnt seem to work. Im not to experienced with applying thermal paste, but I was wondering if there was anything that could make it think its overheating. It feels almost like cool air is comming out , not hot air, and seems to crash in the same spots everytime.

TheMatt

If you can install Windows, there are a bunch of monitoring utilities you can try. If you get it working, check out MobileMeter from my sig.

In Linux, you can install a program called Hardware Monitor for GNOME or KSysGuard for KDE. You should be able to use either in either desktop environment with the proper libs, which will automatically be downloaded when you use a package manager like Synaptic or apt-get.

jr.lizardking

I have looked in hardware monitor but found nothing to be significant..low cpu usage...where should I check?

TheMatt

If that doesn't check temps, try KSysGuard. Type that into Synaptic and see if it finds it.

jr.lizardking

I got ksysguard but cant find temperature monitor on it, hmm.

==EDIT==

I did end up finding it and the temperature seems to stay around high 40`s(45-48)

==EDIT==
Now I have opened programs and got the temperature up to 74 but then it droped back down within a second.

jr.lizardking

Well, now im trying to take the laptop apart, in hope to apply some thermal paste, but it is possingt to be difficult. I had to unscrew the whole bottom, seeing as the plate seemingly exposes only the Ram, now The problem is , I try to take the bottom off, but there are cables that attach the two sides togather :S. am I screwed?

TheMatt

Verify your temps using this: http://www.techsupportforum.com/803597-post9.html

If the temps you posted are right, then don't do anything. I would try and reinstall Windows. If it gives errors again, post what they are and if it fails to copy files, post the names.