My Local computer store is me hehehe. I"ve never overheated but was getting way to hot of temperatures for a while.
This is what I did to resolve them
FIrstly take canned air to the right intake grill and blow out a much dust as you can. That in itself will help somewhat. I was opening the laptop up myself anyways to fix my loose screen problem I've always had [seems the metal supports have been broken since day 1, and the screws had to be tightend, which was causing my screen to wobble instead of be tight] So while I had it opened [documents on how to are on the dell site to download] I took off the heatsink/fan unit which is kind of like a duct with the fan in it to cool the cpu. I took it off, and was rather disappointed at the thin aluminum/thermal grease they used to put the heatsink on the CPU. I took the top part off the heatsink/fan ductwork, and with a q-tip and alcohol cleaned thoroughly as well as cleaned all the original thermal grease form the top of the CPU and the heatsink. I then used Artic Silver II thermal grease, thinly put on the cpu, [I use it on all my system builds I do] and carefully put back on the heatsink/fan unit as the documents instruct. I've since run a lot cooler and haven't had any high temp issues since.
Most likely we don't support that, blahblahblahblah. I build/repair systems myself, so it's not a big deal, and h3ll, my warranty is up anyways, so why pay for something I can do myself?
My problem the only response I've gotten so far, which is on the chkmail, is that go to the manufacturer. H3ll, Dell had it made for them by the manufacturer, so you have to go to Dell for support. Feels like a circle.........
There was two years this solution was found. Try to find all the post about it (more than one thousand). Dell asks to customer to clean the fan by yourself (really !).
If you want a cpu temp control, try my application at roychris.free.fr (only for linux).
Thanks for all the information. I've seen several postings suggesting cleaning the fan. I know this doesn't seem to be the "fix" for the problem, but might help the computer from shutting down so quickly. However, I don't know how to go about opening the computer and cleaning the fan. I've called some computer repair shops...but it will cost around $100 to just clean it. Seems a little pricey. Do I need special tools (small screwdriver) to open the computer? Does anyone have directions for how to do this? I'm a bit concerned that I'll do more harm than good with trying to clean it myself. Any suggestions?
Not a problem. I wouldn't necessarily call this a 'fix' but it gets rid of the problem of the cpu overheating, although I had mine getting hotter than it should, It never got hot enough to overheat.
As for opening the system up, it's really quiet easy. Just TAKE YOUR TIME AND DON"T FORCE OR RUSH and you'll be fine. A bit of patience and a bit of careful stead force and you'll be fine, and you'll only need a limited amount of tools. The Only thing you really need is the instructions how to 'dicsect' your system, which Dell conveniently shows, if you go to the the area where the downloads for the system etc are. Once apart, you'll have to pull a bit, but the fan unit will come off after you take the screws off of course. Make sure you do it in the order that the instructions say, as well as putting it back on. Pull the aluminum/thermal grease patch off, and clean carefully the top of the CPU and the bottom of the heatshink. I usually use alchohol and a cotton swap. Get yourself some artic silver, and carefull put a very thin coat on it. Then carefully put back the heatsink/fan/duct unit into place, then screw in as instructed. As well, make sure you clean well all the fins on the heatsink while you have it all. This is where it Then put it all back together and voila!......After that, just take canned air and on a regular basis blow out any small dust build up so it never gets too much in and you shouldn't have problems.
No way I would pay a shop $100 to do it. I personally like to know exactly what's been done etc. As long as you take your time, you shouldn't have any problems, and just remember where goes back into. The instuctions how to open it are really all you need to go buy to get into the system. It's all I used, and although I build desktop systems and mod them, it's the first time I've gotten into a laptop, and it's was a lot easier than I thought it would be.
For the last couple of months I have been blowing compressed air through both vents, the one to the right of the card slots and the one to the right of the parallel port - with the system powered off and the power supply unplugged. My sign to do this is whenever the fan becomes arrested, ie doesn't blow as much as it usually does, and actually slows down to some kind of start-stop motion. One the compressed air's been applied the system is good for another couple of weeks and so it continues. My concern is with the times when I am on the system but don't notice that the fan is not running properly (if there's too much noise around me) and the processor heats up as a consequence. The system has shut down on me this way a couple of times and, who knows, over time the processor could sustain damage. DELL don't seem to be concerned with any of this and prefer to keep their head down in the hope this issue goes away and that their customers' warranties run out eventually rather than step up to the plate and replace this mal-engineered systems.
Message Edited by SierraYankee on 08-26-2004 02:54 PM
Why, you are all so calm! I am surprised and impressed. Because what we are talking about here, or what I am talking about, is......
* A $1,500 PIECE OF GARBAGE;
* A TECHNICAL AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT NIGHTMARE;
* CORPORATE IMMORALITY BORDERING ON EVIL.
After 20 months of fighting, I'm tired. After 20 months of fighting alone, I'm very tired. But misery does not always love company. I'm angry to learn that it's not just my Smartstep, but that many/all Smartsteps are junk. I'm furious for all of us. For all the good that does, of course. For all that Dell cares, of course.
Sigh. Four hours on hold with tech support tonight. Par these days. It was nice meeting you all, but I'm worn out -- Off to bed.....
Hi there...well, I wouldn't say I'm calm. I've just gotten past my anger with the situation and am trying to make the best of it. Unless everyone on the forum wants to take up a law suit against Dell, there's not much else I can do but try to get a little more life out of my laptop. I've even contacted a friend who works at Dell in sales. He won't even help. I'm considering writing a local San Francisco news station that has a consumer reports show. I've also tried contacting customer support and sat on hold for hours. I thought my friend at Dell could at least help me contact support, but he said they won't help me at all since i have no warranty. What can I do?
I'm hoping by cleaning my fan and maybe using this arctic silver stuff my laptop might just last 2 years! All I know now, is I'll never buy another Dell again. And I'm definitely spreading the word...I work in technology at a very large company...I'll make sure they never lease dell computers!!
Hi there...well, I wouldn't say I'm calm. I've just gotten past my anger with the situation and am trying to make the best of it. Unless everyone on the forum wants to take up a law suit against Dell, there's not much else I can do but try to get a little more life out of my laptop. I've even contacted a friend who works at Dell in sales. He won't even help. I'm considering writing a local San Francisco news station that has a consumer reports show. I've also tried contacting customer support and sat on hold for hours. I thought my friend at Dell could at least help me contact support, but he said they won't help me at all since i have no warranty. What can I do?
I'm hoping by cleaning my fan and maybe using this arctic silver stuff my laptop might just last 2 years! All I know now, is I'll never buy another Dell again. And I'm definitely spreading the word...I work in technology at a very large company...I'll make sure they never lease dell computers!!
cykaaro
36 Posts
0
August 11th, 2004 15:00
My Local computer store is me hehehe. I"ve never overheated but was getting way to hot of temperatures for a while.
This is what I did to resolve them
FIrstly take canned air to the right intake grill and blow out a much dust as you can. That in itself will help somewhat. I was opening the laptop up myself anyways to fix my loose screen problem I've always had [seems the metal supports have been broken since day 1, and the screws had to be tightend, which was causing my screen to wobble instead of be tight] So while I had it opened [documents on how to are on the dell site to download] I took off the heatsink/fan unit which is kind of like a duct with the fan in it to cool the cpu. I took it off, and was rather disappointed at the thin aluminum/thermal grease they used to put the heatsink on the CPU. I took the top part off the heatsink/fan ductwork, and with a q-tip and alcohol cleaned thoroughly as well as cleaned all the original thermal grease form the top of the CPU and the heatsink. I then used Artic Silver II thermal grease, thinly put on the cpu, [I use it on all my system builds I do] and carefully put back on the heatsink/fan unit as the documents instruct. I've since run a lot cooler and haven't had any high temp issues since.
SierraYankee
2 Posts
0
August 16th, 2004 07:00
What's the DELL view on this???
Thanks.
cykaaro
36 Posts
0
August 16th, 2004 12:00
Most likely we don't support that, blahblahblahblah. I build/repair systems myself, so it's not a big deal, and h3ll, my warranty is up anyways, so why pay for something I can do myself?
My problem the only response I've gotten so far, which is on the chkmail, is that go to the manufacturer. H3ll, Dell had it made for them by the manufacturer, so you have to go to Dell for support. Feels like a circle.........
ddenis
10 Posts
0
August 23rd, 2004 17:00
hello, your solution is indispensable on my position.
Ineed also to download a unit CPU control.
do you know which one is good for a cooler analys. all download CPU control are for desktop!!!
thank...
roychris
37 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 08:00
If you want a cpu temp control, try my application at roychris.free.fr (only for linux).
klm99
5 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 16:00
Thanks for all the information. I've seen several postings suggesting cleaning the fan. I know this doesn't seem to be the "fix" for the problem, but might help the computer from shutting down so quickly. However, I don't know how to go about opening the computer and cleaning the fan. I've called some computer repair shops...but it will cost around $100 to just clean it. Seems a little pricey. Do I need special tools (small screwdriver) to open the computer? Does anyone have directions for how to do this? I'm a bit concerned that I'll do more harm than good with trying to clean it myself. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!
ddenis
10 Posts
0
August 24th, 2004 20:00
hello, thank for you answer.
first i'll clean my fan, but i can't really enderstand your sentense:
"If you want a cpu temp control, try my application at roychris.free.fr (only for linux)".
yes, i want a Cpu temp control but where i can find this one.
i can't acces to roychris.free.fr??
cykaaro
36 Posts
0
August 25th, 2004 03:00
Not a problem. I wouldn't necessarily call this a 'fix' but it gets rid of the problem of the cpu overheating, although I had mine getting hotter than it should, It never got hot enough to overheat.
As for opening the system up, it's really quiet easy. Just TAKE YOUR TIME AND DON"T FORCE OR RUSH and you'll be fine. A bit of patience and a bit of careful stead force and you'll be fine, and you'll only need a limited amount of tools. The Only thing you really need is the instructions how to 'dicsect' your system, which Dell conveniently shows, if you go to the the area where the downloads for the system etc are. Once apart, you'll have to pull a bit, but the fan unit will come off after you take the screws off of course. Make sure you do it in the order that the instructions say, as well as putting it back on. Pull the aluminum/thermal grease patch off, and clean carefully the top of the CPU and the bottom of the heatshink. I usually use alchohol and a cotton swap. Get yourself some artic silver, and carefull put a very thin coat on it. Then carefully put back the heatsink/fan/duct unit into place, then screw in as instructed. As well, make sure you clean well all the fins on the heatsink while you have it all. This is where it Then put it all back together and voila!......After that, just take canned air and on a regular basis blow out any small dust build up so it never gets too much in and you shouldn't have problems.
No way I would pay a shop $100 to do it. I personally like to know exactly what's been done etc. As long as you take your time, you shouldn't have any problems, and just remember where goes back into. The instuctions how to open it are really all you need to go buy to get into the system. It's all I used, and although I build desktop systems and mod them, it's the first time I've gotten into a laptop, and it's was a lot easier than I thought it would be.
Good luck!
roychris
37 Posts
0
August 25th, 2004 18:00
My application can be downloaded here :
http://roychris.free.fr/wmtemp_acpi-0.01.tgz
And this web site to clean the fan :
http://nfn15037.tripod.com/
ddenis
10 Posts
0
August 25th, 2004 21:00
thank for your fan clean application.
i`m starting this manipulation, but can`t open this file¦http://roychris.free.fr/wmtemp_acpi-0.01.tgz
what do you use for read .tgz??
bye
SierraYankee
2 Posts
0
August 26th, 2004 00:00
For the last couple of months I have been blowing compressed air through both vents, the one to the right of the card slots and the one to the right of the parallel port - with the system powered off and the power supply unplugged. My sign to do this is whenever the fan becomes arrested, ie doesn't blow as much as it usually does, and actually slows down to some kind of start-stop motion. One the compressed air's been applied the system is good for another couple of weeks and so it continues. My concern is with the times when I am on the system but don't notice that the fan is not running properly (if there's too much noise around me) and the processor heats up as a consequence. The system has shut down on me this way a couple of times and, who knows, over time the processor could sustain damage. DELL don't seem to be concerned with any of this and prefer to keep their head down in the hope this issue goes away and that their customers' warranties run out eventually rather than step up to the plate and replace this mal-engineered systems.
Message Edited by SierraYankee on 08-26-2004 02:54 PM
cykaaro
36 Posts
0
August 26th, 2004 08:00
jlschroer
3 Posts
0
August 27th, 2004 00:00
Why, you are all so calm! I am surprised and impressed. Because what we are talking about here, or what I am talking about, is......
* A $1,500 PIECE OF GARBAGE;
* A TECHNICAL AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT NIGHTMARE;
* CORPORATE IMMORALITY BORDERING ON EVIL.
After 20 months of fighting, I'm tired. After 20 months of fighting alone, I'm very tired. But misery does not always love company. I'm angry to learn that it's not just my Smartstep, but that many/all Smartsteps are junk. I'm furious for all of us. For all the good that does, of course. For all that Dell cares, of course.
Sigh. Four hours on hold with tech support tonight. Par these days. It was nice meeting you all, but I'm worn out -- Off to bed.....
klm99
5 Posts
0
August 27th, 2004 02:00
Hi there...well, I wouldn't say I'm calm. I've just gotten past my anger with the situation and am trying to make the best of it. Unless everyone on the forum wants to take up a law suit against Dell, there's not much else I can do but try to get a little more life out of my laptop. I've even contacted a friend who works at Dell in sales. He won't even help. I'm considering writing a local San Francisco news station that has a consumer reports show. I've also tried contacting customer support and sat on hold for hours. I thought my friend at Dell could at least help me contact support, but he said they won't help me at all since i have no warranty. What can I do?
I'm hoping by cleaning my fan and maybe using this arctic silver stuff my laptop might just last 2 years! All I know now, is I'll never buy another Dell again. And I'm definitely spreading the word...I work in technology at a very large company...I'll make sure they never lease dell computers!!
klm99
5 Posts
0
August 27th, 2004 02:00
Hi there...well, I wouldn't say I'm calm. I've just gotten past my anger with the situation and am trying to make the best of it. Unless everyone on the forum wants to take up a law suit against Dell, there's not much else I can do but try to get a little more life out of my laptop. I've even contacted a friend who works at Dell in sales. He won't even help. I'm considering writing a local San Francisco news station that has a consumer reports show. I've also tried contacting customer support and sat on hold for hours. I thought my friend at Dell could at least help me contact support, but he said they won't help me at all since i have no warranty. What can I do?
I'm hoping by cleaning my fan and maybe using this arctic silver stuff my laptop might just last 2 years! All I know now, is I'll never buy another Dell again. And I'm definitely spreading the word...I work in technology at a very large company...I'll make sure they never lease dell computers!!