Laptop gets really hot and shuts off?

[Da Pirates]

I have a Compaq CQ60-210US laptop that has, for the past year or so been heating up to extreme tempatures over the course of 6+ hours of being turned on. It gets hot to the point where I cannot hold my finger on the area for over 2 seconds. The only part the gets hot is the area where the fan blows and about 2 inches north of that area, on the spine of the laptop, a 2 inch long or so strip that has rectagular cutouts every 1/8th of an inch, i really dont know what it is used for but I assume ventilation? Any way to keep my laptop running cool? it never used to heat up at all when i first got it. I dont know what could be causing it now. Thanks!

 

 

Here are the exact specifications of my computer if needed: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01630406&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en

[The Observer]

Could need a bit of cleaning out. But laptops are bit more trickier than desktop computers.

 

May I ask where you use it?

[Da Pirates]

Could need a bit of cleaning out. But laptops are bit more trickier than desktop computers.

 

May I ask where you use it?

 

I have it sitting on top of a wooden cutting board. The cutting board is on my bed where I lay and use it. I've tried using it right on the bed and it overheats and shuts off within an hour vs it lasting 6 with the cutting board.

[ForsakenMage]

From experience, it seems HP and Compaq laptops are notorious for having ventilation and overheating problems due to the poor design.

 

Some things you can do to stop your laptop from overheating... I know some of it may sound stupid, but for whatever reason these seem to be the most common things that cause the laptop to overheat in the first place. I'm not listing these things to judge you or anything. ;)

 

#1. Do not place the laptop on your bed mattress, pillow, or anything similar. Not only will you be blocking the ventilation of air on the underside of the laptop, but you're also allowing heat to be trapped in a concentrated area as well.

 

#2. Use a cooling pad. These generally run for a few dollars for a usable one. It is possible to use a cooling pad fitted for a 14" laptop for a 17" laptop, and does NOT have to be one fitted with fans (although these may also be helpful; downside is that some of the dust may get blown right back at the laptop). What this will do is basically prop up the laptop to allow for air to pass through under the laptop.

 

#3. Get the laptop cleaned out for dust occasionally. I'm not talking about taking an air canister and blowing it across the laptop. I'm talking about actually opening it up, but only do so if you know for sure how to put it back together. Laptops are not as easy as a desktop to piece back together, and there are a lot of things in the small space you should not touch! Because of the small space, clumps of dust can accumulate easily, especially when there has been no proper ventilation to begin with.

 

The reason why it never heated up in the first place is simply because it was new. You've probably accumulated quite a bit of dust in there now that needs to be cleaned out. :)

[The Observer]

I don't think it's an issue with the fans because they appear to be blowing OK. I assume my assumption is correct?

 

Might be a lot of dust in your laptop that could be causing it to overheat, but if you don't know what you're doing it's best to have someone qualified to do it. As I said, laptops are more complicated than desktops.

[Da Pirates]

I don't think it's an issue with the fans because they appear to be blowing OK. I assume my assumption is correct?

 

Might be a lot of dust in your laptop that could be causing it to overheat, but if you don't know what you're doing it's best to have someone qualified to do it. As I said, laptops are more complicated than desktops.

 

Yeah fans are blowing just fine. I might invest in a cooling pad or just get it cleaned out. My local computer repair shop can clean the dust out of a laptop right?

[Guy]

You can also clean out dust. Buy a can of compressed air ($5 or something) and clan it out.

[Da Pirates]

Here's a pic just to put everything in perspective.

 

[Guy]

o.O that is too hot. Probably dust.

[The Observer]

Running it at very high temperatures decreases the life span of your computer components a lot faster than normal. It's best you decide what to do earlier than later.

 

Also, just pointing it out, but it seems like a small amount of RAM for running Ultimate. Sure it'll work, but not to its full potential. If you don't really care about that, then just ignore this part.