First verify that the fan is operating correctly - F12 at powerup, Dell diagnostics.  If it's OK, also check for dust/debris on the heatsink and clean accordingly.

Dell diagnostics reports that the fan is working correctly.

What is the heatsink and how can I get to it?

Is there any program that can tell me the temperature of the cpu?

Thanks

First verify that the fan is operating correctly - F12 at powerup, Dell diagnostics.  If it's OK, also check for dust/debris on the heatsink and clean accordingly.

I'm really worried that all of the heat coming out of the laptop could lead to one of the components failing. What is the heatsink and how can I get to it, does it involve removing the screen because I'm worried that I may not be able to put it back.

Also is there any utility that can tell me the temperaure of the cpu, i have looked in the bios but I can't seem to find it.

Hi. First of all, check if this application works for you. It will give you both temperature and CPU usage: http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp Pay attention for high CPU usage and use the task manager to see if there is any application causing constant high CPU usage.

To access the heatsink you must take out the backside of the laptop, but before that you can try vacuum the vents located on the right side. If you still need to open up, take a look to this guide:

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Hope that helps!

Hi. First of all, check if this application works for you. It will give you both temperature and CPU usage: http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp Pay attention for high CPU usage and use the task manager to see if there is any application causing constant high CPU usage. To access the heatsink you must take out the backside of the laptop, but before that you can try vacuum the vents located on the right side. If you still need to open up, take a look to this guide: <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> Hope that helps!

Thanks, generally the core temperature are between 70-75 degress celsius while watching a youtube video.

A few questions:

Is the heatsink the copper thing?

And I've looked at the instructions and they require you to remove the screen. Can't you just open it from the bottom?

Thanks, generally the core temperature are between 70-75 degress celsius while watching a youtube video.

Thats a bit on the high area but nothing to be alarmed on this laptop.

Question: immediately after a boot, check the task manager (right click the task bar -> start task manager), go to the "performance" tab and check the CPU usage. If you leave it alone for a moment, CPU usage must drop below 5%. If not, check the "Process" tab, CPU column to see if you can check what application is using constant CPU.

Is the heatsink the copper thing?

What you need to clean is the big black fan in the middle of the copper rails. Also, at the end of the copper thing, just beside the fan, you can see a black metal radiator that usually get filled with dust. The best way to clear both is to vacuum.

And I've looked at the instructions and they require you to remove the screen. Can't you just open it from the bottom?

In my experience, yes, you can just unscrew the bottom of the machine and had access to the whole motherboard just as in the picture.

If you want to remove the keyboard to access the back of the motherboard (usually to exchange ram modules), there is a piece of plastic just above the keyboard that must be removed to access more screws, but I don't thing you would need to do that.

Thats a bit on the high area but nothing to be alarmed on this laptop. Question: immediately after a boot, check the task manager (right click the task bar -> start task manager), go to the "performance" tab and check the CPU usage. If you leave it alone for a moment, CPU usage must drop below 5%. If not, check the "Process" tab, CPU column to see if you can check what application is using constant CPU.

Yes the cpu usage drops to 0 / 1 %

In my experience, yes, you can just unscrew the bottom of the machine and had access to the whole motherboard just as in the picture. If you want to remove the keyboard to access the back of the motherboard (usually to exchange ram modules), there is a piece of plastic just above the keyboard that must be removed to access more screws, but I don't thing you would need to do that.

Looking at the this: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1500/en/sm/fan.htm#wp1179839 and these pictures:

Do you think that it is possible to open the system from the bottom?

p.s. hyperlink button doesn't seem to be working

CPU usage is fine, so, clean up the heat system looks like a good idea. 

I see the diagrams and yes, seems that I'm wrong, you need to take off the keyboard and the top of the laptop to access the fan and vents. But before open up anything, bring in the more powerful vacuum you can get and vacuum the exhaust port on the left. See if that makes a difference.

Does the temparature come down if you unplug the AC power and work from the battery power?  My Vostro CPU gets very hot but only on AC power (even if I remove the battery).  I've replaced the AC power unit and updated the BIOS but that hasn't helped.  Fan is working and everythings clear of dust.

yes same with me.. My Vostro CPU Gets very hot. then, its shutdown itself. when i try to turn it on, there is a beep and warning says "The System gets warmer than expected" after that it tell me to do some dell diagnostic.