Dell Vostro 3400 - Overheating, Fan Noise

Question

Got this laptop in late August of 2010 so I'm nearing the end of my one year warranty and I think this is something I should look at before then.

Running a game like CS:S (med settings) or SC2 (low-med settings) gets the temps of the 310M up to 80-90 pretty easily (HW Monitor). I had to buy a cooling pad otherwise it would shutdown from time to time. It still occurs every now and then but with a lot less frequency. Pretty sure it's always the GPU that causes the shut-down. Kinda weird because I could probably run CS:S on max settings and still get decent fps but it still overheats on average settings which makes me wonder about the heatsink on the GPU. I seem to be forgetting the processor temperature range it reaches but I can double check those later tonight if needed. I occasionally blow out the vents but the issue was apparent within a few weeks of using it so I don't think it's dust buildup.

Would it be worth opening up the laptop to look at how well the heatsink is placed? Does Dell offer any help for this problem? I'm already worried I may have worn down some of the hardware through the ~9 months of use with this issue and would like to stop doing so if possible.

Also, I've seen posts regarding issues with fan noise even when relatively cool (40-50) and idle as well. I mean, I'll turn it on from sleep mode in the morning and it's usually blasting. I noticed on first boot-up, it will stay quiet until it warms up and then after that it seems as though the fans are always running fast. I'm having trouble finding software that measures fan speeds (fans in HW Monitor don't seem to display info, I'll try CPU-ID later but the issue is pretty apparent audibly). Would getting in touch with Dell directly result in any help/support for this? Most of the threads I've found seem to never reach any sort of solution but they are a bit out of date and usually for other Vostro models.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

Mazer14 · Answer

Sort of a bump.

CPU temps pretty much match GPU temps when under load.

And I made the mistake of typing in CPU-ID being different software from HW Monitor. Still haven't found a way to check/adjust fan speeds.

DELL-Royan S · Answer

Hi Mazer14,

Welcome to the Community. I suggest you run an extended diagnostics on your computer. Press the F12 key at the Dell logo, and then select diagnostics and select extended diagnostics. Make a note of any error codes and post back, or call Dell technical support with the error code.

Thank you

Royan

Mazer14 · Answer

Hi,

After hitting F12 and going into diagnostics, there is no further option to do the extended diagnostics that you mentioned. It ran through some things (cable check, etc) and then asked if I wanted to do a complete memory test (I said yes but cancelled it after running for over an hour). Are you sure it should prompt me after picking diagnostics?

Thanks

Mazer14 · Answer

I specifically mentioned this was occurring shortly after purchase and that dust buildup shouldn't be the cause.

kensplace · Answer

It may be clogged up with dust.

orionsweb · Answer

Ditto... my 3400 is overheating and shutting down on me ... both the touch pad area and the left side (underneath) tend to get extremely hot to touch.. I'm going to call them this week ..

Mazer14 · Answer

I should have just asked them to replace my system (or at least motherboard). My laptop just shut off on me while browsing. It wasn't even 'hot' when it just shut off one me since I was just surfing (prolly around 60-70 C)

I've seen other posts with a similar problem: laptop does not start at all with or without battery and with or without direct power; light on the AC plug (blue) turns off after I try to boot up and stays off until I unplug it from the outlet and plug it back in. As my warranty expired two months ago, looks like I'm boned since it's apparently the motherboard.

Great, now I can't even speak to a tech guy since my warranty expired.

Thanks DELL-Royan S for never replying back to my response.

Amands · Answer

Most of the dell 3400 user are facing the same problem.... I there is some problem in the design of vostro 3400 please fix this problem

cediegarcia · Answer

i am facing the same problem. ever since i got my laptop. now i have to use my laptop near an electric fan. :|

selims · Answer

I am another one having the same problem. First it was shutting down whenever I streamed film on netflix within half an hour into the movie. Now it is having trouble starting up. System overlook shows several critical points, but of course there is never enough explanation. Please help! Are all the Vostros prone to problems?

nicolasemilio · Answer

Tengo el mismo problema al correr programas como Adobe Premiere o After Effects...  Vostro 3400 = ***  Dell Support for Vostro 3400 users = ***

Rais1 · Answer

Same problem is going on with me too. This model is the Crappiest piece of epic $hit I've ever seen in the name of a Laptop. Not just heating issue, the Monitor screen shakes & has started to get opened within just 6 months. Its not even two years for me & the Battery life has reduced to just about an for a full charge even though I rarely se it without charger connected.

Rais1 · Answer

Same problem is going on with me too. This model is the Crappiest piece of epic $hit I've ever seen in the name of a Laptop. Not just heating issue, the Monitor screen shakes & has started to get opened within just 6 months. Its not even two years for me & the Battery life has reduced to just about an for a full charge even though I rarely use it without charger connected.

marsoups · Answer

Has anybody ever resolved this issue ?

I've been searching the web for a solution and been keeping on top of these forums, but my problem is getting worse and worse and worse!

The problem only happens when running software that makes use of the GPU, so any game that I run now shuts down. I used to be able to reduce the settings in the game to prolong the amount of time before a shutdown, as well as resting the laptop at an angle so as to ensure that there is clean airflow, but even this solution isn't helping anymore.

I'd like to know if anybody has any solution. Surely the people at Dell know about this problem and have a solution ? It must have something to do with the heatsink on the CPU, bad glue or whatever it might be and a handy solution to bring this laptop back into use??

Please let me know anybody that has a solution!!

PS I had opened it once to check the main heatsink and didn't notice any issues! Not sure if I should have gone further to locate the GPU or something...

Thanks

KrishnaKishore · Answer

I'm also started facing the same issue for the last 3 to 4 months. please help me in resolving the issue.

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Dell Vostro 3400 - Overheating, Fan Noise

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