Tip: Laptops; Avoiding THERMAL EVENTS

What to do when your laptop shuts down spontaneously.

Author: Neil Patterson :: 2024 Expertek
Views: 1953 - Updated 6/24/2015 2:45 pm Print this tip

Got yourself a Nice New Laptop? Great, and I KNOW you want to make it last for more than just a few years, right?

Computers get hot, CPUs and hard drives specifically, and they are cooled with air flowing around them, moved by the fans in the PC. it's pretty easy to understand by seeing their size, that laptops do not have the airflow that desktops do, and therefore we suggest that laptops should be shut down after 8 hrs of use (like a normal business working day). They are not intended to be left on 24/7, unless noted specifically by the manufacturer.

Primary Cause of Overheating

It is important to note that the air intake on most current laptops is located on the bottom. This is a significant (deliberate?) design flaw. The problems start when you place your laptop on the bed or the sofa or any soft location. The short feet on your laptop sink in, and then the fabric restricts the airflow. Furthermore, Dust and pet hair will be picked up like a vacuum cleaner and pushed into the laptops heatsink, which is there to help remove heat from the CPU.

When the air stops moving over the heatsink, whether it is from the Fan no longer moving, or simply no longer able to push air thru the heatsink, the laptop will start to get very hot, affecting its performance at first and (without careful, thorough cleaning) will eventually burn out the CPU and the delicate small electronics near it.

Avoiding Overheating

The best way to prolong the life of your new laptop is to avoid using it without first placing on a proper surface. If you must work in bed, be sure to get yourself a laptop stand, preferably one with a clean, smooth, flat surface, mesh bottom, or even fans to help move air around your laptop.

Primary Maintenance

Periodically (every 1-2 mos), you should use a can of air (duster), and with the laptop set on it's side, so you can see the dust being blown out of the fan intake, shoot a few gusts of air into the heat exhaust port, usually located on the back or side of your laptop. You will probably see a POOF of dust, but keep spraying. If you cannot hear the fan moving, then you may need to closely examine the intake (bottom) and see if there are clumps of hair/dust the need to be pulled free of the fan. If you attempt this, be careful of the fan blades, and do not pull too hard as you can unbalance the fan or bend/break a blade. If you cannot remove them yourself, bring it in to your local friendly repair shop for a tuneup and cleaning.

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