Laptop overheating

[Aoami]

I have an HP dv5 series laptop (my first, i know little about lappys), that constantly overheats and switches itself off. Are there any devices I can buy to aid cooling?

 

[djpringle]

You can get purpose built laptop stands that have cooling fans built in. Not sure how good they are as all I have used in the past is a book to get some airspace underneath

 

[Kryten]

Don't bother with any 3rd party kit. If it's turning itself off, it's faulty.
HP/Compaq are noteable for having hardware failures of this kind - mostly because their production process leaves a lot to be desired. The laptops are mostly good, but sometimes they apply little to no thermal compound between the processor/graphics chips and the heatsink. This is a vital component especially in a laptop to aide heat transfer - getting it away from the processor.
If it's under warranty, don't dally about and just get it dealt with asap from whomever you bought it. Otherwise it's time to crack it open and investigate/get someone to do it for you :|

 

[Aoami]

Alright, thanks guys!

 

[Aoami]

Kryten, i've had a google and a few places are suggesting a BIOS update, because the newer ones have settings to make the fans quicker? Does this sound plausible or like a load of bull?

Also, I can't seem to find anywhere that tells me what the latest version is, i don't suppose you happen to know?

Cheers in advance

 

[Kryten]

Worth a go if the unit will stay on long enough to do it. Just make sure it's been powered off for a good while first and very cool.

Grab the bios from HP's site - there will only be one version and will be a bootable disc type affair IIRC or a file to stick on a USB pen.

Had this on a good few HP laptops and in no cases did the bios update help though, I'd still be fairly sure it's a hardware fault.

 

[Dark Orb Choir]

take it apart put some thermal paste on the chip, then put it all back together and clean the dust from the fan

all the laptos i have ever done this to its solved the problem, and i used to do about 3 or 4 a day when i worked at o2.

where do you keep the laptop, is it in a dusty environment, aftr you have stopped using it do you keep it out or put it back in its bag.

 

[Kryten]

(But obviously not if it's in warranty - let HP correct their mistakes)
HP have an annoying problem of applying too little/too much thermal paste in their manufacturing process - I've seen enough applied that it squidges out and covers all surrounding components within an inch of the processor. Then again I've seen them not bother at all.

 

[Aoami]

i bought it from PC World (I got a discount because a friend served me and knocked £200 off cos she's a legend). Should I speak to them or HP directly? I bought it just after Christmas (2008) so i'm assuming it's still in waranty.

Cheers

 

[gunner440]

Take it back to them.

Then punch her in the jaw.

 

[Kryten]

Aye, PC World first and foremost. Point out the data on it is extremely important, and you are being heavily inconvenienced by it doing this. It's losing you business, etc

 

[gunner440]

Aye, PC World first and foremost. Point out the data on it is extremely important, and you are being heavily inconvenienced by it doing this. It's losing you business, etc

With the way Aoami looks/dresses they won't believe him.

Honestly though. Take it back and the quicker the better.

Would you be able to pick out another one and pay/get refunded the difference?

 

[ramathorn]

The cooling system on a lot of HP notebooks leaves a lot to be desired, they tend to suck a lot of dust up and lose it inside the machine or start to build up on and round the heatsink causing airflow to get even worse. If you are able to get the keyboard off (should only be a couple of screws) and go to town on it with the a hoover it might sort it out

 

[Starman]

Good luck with PCW and I hope you don't have the issues I had with them and the Tech guys with my HP DV7 laptop!

 

[Ctuchik]

I have an HP dv5 series laptop (my first, i know little about lappys), that constantly overheats and switches itself off. Are there any devices I can buy to aid cooling?

get a real computer insted

much less hassle. unless your me >.<

 

[Aoami]

Thanks for all the replies. I updated the BIOS and it's got better. It still gets very hot when running on the 'HP recommended' and 'Full Power' settings, but it's only shut itself off once.

I think I will take it back to PCW and have a word when i get five minutes though.