cats-eye

Laptop has been cutting out, almost certainly due to overheating. (Runs fine for about 1/2 hr, then cuts with no error message, after which it will repeatedly cut with increasing frequency until laptop has rested.)

I have cleaned the cooling fins and replaced the thermal paste (which needed replacing). But the problem persists.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?

flluffy

i have the same issue and im getting a cooling pad from newegg. just check sizes for labtop

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...er+pad&x=0&y=0

TriggerFinger

Make sure vents/heatsink/fan areas are not covered/obstructed by anything while laptop is in use. Also (since you have cleaned and reapplied thermal compound), check how high the temps get so you can rule out overheating.

cats-eye

Thanks for the suggestions! If it isn't overheating, though, what else could it be??
(The laptop doesn't actually feel particularly hot. When it's cut out due to overheating occasionally in past, it's been REALLY hot. That's why I thought the processor might be more vulnerable to heat change, as in e.g. ineffective old thermal paste.)

TriggerFinger

How high do the temps get when it cuts out? You must have some figures at least on the temps so you can suspect (or not suspect) overheating.

cats-eye

Right now pc wizard gives 56 and rising fast, but obviously right now it's still functioning. The main reason I think it's overheating is just it has the same symptoms as overheating cut outs in the past (from something simple like a blocked vent). But then, it got almost too hot to touch. This time, it's not getting seriously hot to the touch. But the behaviour, that it needs to "cool off" before it can run again seems to confirm it. That's why I wondered if the processor was just more sensitive to heat for some reason. There is a broken screw fixing on the plate that protects the processor socket (don't know it's proper name, sorry), but since it's being securely held by the heatsink, I kind of discounted that, but it's all I can think of.

TriggerFinger

I suggest you take it apart, clean the insides and reapply thermal compound. If it behaves the same, consider replacing the fan.

If the suggestions above don't work, may be it's time to bring it to a repair shop.

ahmorrow

Ditto. I used to work at Geek Squad City in their main service center. That's the first thing we'd do. The next would probably be to replace the unit. Totally not worth the time if that doesn't fix it (actually we'd probably replace the motherboard).

So yeah, if you can take it apart, make sure you have thermal compound/paste and be sure to use just enough, use too much and it gets everywhere you fry the board. Be sure to use some compressed air on the fans and clean everything from dust.

cats-eye

Thanks very much for all that.

cats-eye

Have now cleaned and replaced thermal paste several times. No appreciable difference.

I don't think it's the fan, because sometimes the laptop temp is barely luke warm. I'd say the fan was doing its job. Yet it is behaving otherwise exactly like an overheating problem.

So my question is: do you think it's worth replacing the processor? (It's a Malay 2.80 Ghz) If so, does it have to be the exact same model of processor? If not, is it just time to scrap the laptop?

ahmorrow

I really don't think it's the processor. If it's shorting out it's more likely the motherboard. As a last case scenario, I'd send it in to some repair place and have them look at it. At least if they can't fix it, they won't charge you... or at least shouldn't.

TriggerFinger

I doubt if it is the processor. But of course, I suggest you have it tested or use it in a similar working laptop.

How's the temps after cleaning and reapplying thermal paste?