[flydonna]

Recently my Dell laptop has started shutting down by itself. It is at least 6 years old and runs just about constantly because we have Magic Jack (computer based phone) and the internet needs to be working for the phone to work.

I've been researching the site and have seen some of the responses. I have a feeling my laptop is shutting down from over heating. So before getting into specs and other diagnosis, I'd like to find out how "KNOW" if that is the problem. I've also seen replies about elevating it (which it is slightly with little legs in the back) and using canned air to clean vents, etc.

If there is no specific test for the "over heating" issue, would elevating it more, and using the canned air help? Or once it starts over heating, does it become an on going problem?

As usual thanks in advance for the help you will give me.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

Let's take a look at your system temperatures. Follow this guide here:

How to check your system temperatures - Tech Support Forum

 

[Confounded Also]

If there is no specific test for the "over heating" issue, would elevating it more, and using the canned air help? Or once it starts over heating, does it become an on going problem?

Elevation and vent cleaning should be standard practice on any machine that runs full time. The feet may not be enough. Look into a laptop desk or platform. Possibly one with auxiliary cooling fans.

Also, is it in a open room with adequate ventilation as opposed to being is some confined space?

 

[flydonna]

First let me say - the computer is in a well vented room with circulation. However, I will look into something to raise it more than the little legs do.

Screenshots from program I ran to check temps are attached. Let me know if this is the correct info you needed and the next steps to take. Thanks.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

The CPU is dangerously overheating and you should not be using the PC during this time.

The heatsink is missing thermal paste or is not secured correctly. Another issue is the CPU fan has stopped working.

 

[Wizmo]

At 6 years old, the heatsink paste is likely all dried out, but the CPU fan also could be defective as well as a dust clog could be blocking the exhaust opening - or ALL of the above. The motherboard should detect a bad CPU fan however, if the fan has a rotational speed detector (tachometer) output. Some do, some don't so that should be the one of the first checks.

As stated, your CPU temperature readings are well into the danger zone and you should not operate the machine until whatever defect is causing this is corrected. You could literally fry an egg on that CPU running that hot!

 

[Confounded Also]

I don't like .doc files, so I didn't look. What temps? I run Speccy and mine are typically around 40C on a five year old notebook running 24 hours a day.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

I don't like .doc files, so I didn't look. What temps? I run Speccy and mine are typically around 40C on a five year old notebook running 24 hours a day.

They were around 94C for the CPU.

 

[flydonna]

Thank you all for your input. I was afraid it was going to be something like this and I'm glad we didn't go into a lot of other diagnosis first.

So - being a laptop - I know nothing about replacing parts like I did on a CPU tower (some people probably don't even remember those). Can this laptop be saved?? Or has enough damage been done already?

We have ordered the new "Magic Jack - GO" that does not require a computer hook up - so we are handling our telephone issues. That would mean if this laptop in salvage-able we wouldn't be running it constantly - or if we need a new laptop, it will not be "burned up" like this one.

Better go backup all my data on the "egg frying laptop".

This support group is the NUMBER ONE!!!!

 

[Panther063]

I run Speccy and mine are typically around 40C on a five year old notebook running 24 hours a day.

You can't compare without knowing specifications or ambient temperature.
An old quad core i7 Laptop is going to consume more power and create more heat than a Celeron dual core, and those figures vary according to environment.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

Thank you all for your input. I was afraid it was going to be something like this and I'm glad we didn't go into a lot of other diagnosis first.

So - being a laptop - I know nothing about replacing parts like I did on a CPU tower (some people probably don't even remember those). Can this laptop be saved?? Or has enough damage been done already?

We have ordered the new "Magic Jack - GO" that does not require a computer hook up - so we are handling our telephone issues. That would mean if this laptop in salvage-able we wouldn't be running it constantly - or if we need a new laptop, it will not be "burned up" like this one.

Better go backup all my data on the "egg frying laptop".

This support group is the NUMBER ONE!!!!

Clean out the insides of the laptop using an air compressor to remove any dust or other items inside.

You may want to look up a disassembly guide to see how to reapply thermal paste to the CPU. Can you hear the CPU fan running?

Just an FYI, a better service, IMHO, then Magic Jack is Ooma. They don't require a PC at all.

 

[flydonna]

Thanks for the advice. I've been gone all day so just now getting to your responses.

I am going to clean all the vents (found a good tutorial on cleaning and even replacing the heat the thermal paste.) I've also got it more elevated.

I ran the temp test again today several times - while idle and after using it for at least an hour straight. Both times the Core temps were in the 50's.

In response to Panther063's comment about not comparing laptops...etc. This is a Dell Inspiron 17R (Studio 1749), 2nd generation Intel Core i5 - 2, 410 M - 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz - 500GB 5400 RPM SATA HD, and Nvidia GeForce GT 525M. I figured these were all the specs that mattered - there were more. But, the fact that the temps were so much lower today, kind of proved that it was running hot before.

Only comment I have now is - I haven't heard the fan run lately. I do recall it running loudly on previous occasions, now it's pretty quiet. Maybe it's supposed to be this quiet and I never noticed it until it was louder!!

I've backed up data and we'll watch it closely. I'm running the Speccy program quite often now and even put a shortcut on the desktop.

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Confounded Also]

I can only relate my experience. I had an issue with random shutdowns on this notebook while doing certain intensive tasks like Windows Update while doing other things. Fan would sound like it wanted to spin out of the machine.


Blew all the vents out and almost instantly those problems stopped. Temps were usually in the high 40s and low 50s and rarely went above 60c.

While working on some other problems that developed later, I blew out some other areas and elevated the unit a bit more as I realized the intake vent was partially obstructed (not sure why I hadn't noticed that before). Also added a thing filter cloth to try and keep dust from getting back inside.

Temps now run generally in the low 40s and often in the 30s. Fan is running on low most of the time, so it's barely audible. On occasion it will kick a step higher if temps climb into the upper 50s and cross 60c, but that is quite rare now.

No more screaming fan and heat related shutdowns.

 

[BrijeshGohil]

Your CPU needs to be serviced. Go to any good computer service station or visit Dell Service station. Tell them all problems. They will check it and give you possible solutions to it.

 

[flydonna]

Your CPU needs to be serviced. Go to any good computer service station or visit Dell Service station. Tell them all problems. They will check it and give you possible solutions to it.

We'll probably do that - but I think we are going to buy another laptop anyway, IF it doesn't cost a lot to tweak up the old one, we'll get that done and have a spare. BUT - cost may prohibit doing anything with it. I don't know of a Dell repair place around me but since it's out of warranty anyway, I hope any GOOD repair place can do it. THANKS

 

[Panther063]

Any computer technician can open up and clean your laptop, they can also replace the thermal paste which should improve temps.
You can also find tutorials online on youtube if you are willing to attempt this yourself.

 

[flydonna]

Any computer technician can open up and clean your laptop, they can also replace the thermal paste which should improve temps.
You can also find tutorials online on youtube if you are willing to attempt this yourself.

Once we get a new laptop, my husband is going to try to open up the old one and attempt to replace the thermal paste. The only question I have about this - how will he know if the over heating damaged anything else?

 

[Panther063]

One of the most obvious signs of overheating apart from the shut downs and thermal warnings etc, is artifacts or colour changes in the display, heat can also affect the battery life.
Other components on the motherboard may be negatively affected too but not evident until they fail.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

Once we get a new laptop, my husband is going to try to open up the old one and attempt to replace the thermal paste. The only question I have about this - how will he know if the over heating damaged anything else?

Unless you've been running the PC all the time at maximum heat range, then damage should be at a minimum.

 

[flydonna]

One of the most obvious signs of overheating apart from the shut downs and thermal warnings etc, is artifacts or colour changes in the display, heat can also affect the battery life.
Other components on the motherboard may be negatively affected too but not evident until they fail.

Thanks. Nice to know.