 Manson,WA (MVT) - Many customers have reported that their laptop computers get too hot and lock up or shut down in the middle of their work. This can be annoying at least and fatal at worst. You may just let the unit cool down and restart with no problem. Or you may permanently damage your hardware.
So why would a laptop overheat? There are several common causes that can be easily rectified.
The first cause is one of misuse. Sure, it is called a "laptop", but using it on your lap can block the air intakes and starve the cooling system. If you must have the laptop on your lap, make sure you are not blocking any cooling vents. Another word of caution here. Medical researchers have reported sterility and burned genitalia by fully clothed laptop users.
Along the same lines, the laptop should be used on a hard surface that allows air to circulate freely around the unit. Setting it on a blanket, pillow or couch will block the cooling vents.
 Laptops should never overheat when used properly. They have been designed to operate under normal conditions found in a home or other controlled environments. You cannot expect a laptop to work properly if it has been sitting in a hot car interior or in direct sunlight on a hot day.
If your laptop still overheats when used properly, the most likely cause is dust and dirt that has accumulated at the air intakes and the cooling fins. If your computer is under warranty, send it in for repair. If not, do not worry. You can perform the cleaning yourself.
There are several covers on the bottom of a laptop that can be removed with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove these covers and inspect for dust and dirt. Do not touch the components as they are sensitive to static electricity. Clean up the debris with a dry Q-Tip swab being careful not to apply force to the sensitive components.
Next you want to blow the dust out of the unit. It is a good idea to lock the cooling fan into place with a toothpick before doing this. The fan bearings could become damaged if the fan spins too fast. You should be able to carefully insert a toothpick through the intake and between the fan blades. Then blow out the dust with a compressor, a can of compressed air or, for those with strong lungs, your own breath. Watch out for the dust cloud that will be created on the first blasts!
The unit should not overheat if you have followed the steps above. If your laptop still overheats when cleaned and used properly, you are faced with a more serious situation. Some gamers will overclock the CPU to gain performance. This means that the system clock is running faster than normal. The faster a CPU is clocked, the more heat it generates. If a gamer needs the speed, they must add cooling. A laptop cooler can be purchased for as little as $10. These units provide some cooling and allow a user to have the laptop on their lap without fear of the medical problems mentioned earlier. Some gamers have placed their laptop on a bag of ice to keep things going.
Some laptops will allow you to slow down the CPU clock speed and/or change other system settings to reduce power consumption. These settings are adjusted through software. This is not for beginners and the steps will not be covered in this article.
All computers need to be cleaned periodically to remove dust buildup. Dust acts as an insulator and traps heat to the surface that you want to be cooled. A good blowout with compressed air at one-month intervals will guarantee longer computer life through cooler operation.
Gregory Kennedy has worked in the computer industry for over 28 years. He now owns and operates WebFly Enterprises specializing in PC repair, software and web design. He also owns and operates the Manson Village Tribune.
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