Hi Paul,

May I know the complete system model?

Check for proper airflow:

Make sure the computer vents and fans remain clean of dust which can prevent the heat and fresh air to pass through efficiently. Additionally, verify that all fans are spinning correctly without unusual noises.

Update the System BIOS:

An out of date BIOS can cause heat issues by having an outdated temperature table for the system.

Visit http://dell.to/10GaKAc
Enter the service tag and select the operating system.
Click “BIOS”and update.

• During BIOS update verify that the computer is connected to an AC Adapter.
• Disconnect any third party peripherals connected to the computer before performing BIOS update. 
• Do not turn off the computer during the BIOS update.
• Do not restart the computer during the BIOS update.
• Ensure battery charge is more than 30% during BIOS update.

Note: Plug your computer to a good, working UPS before you update the BIOS. If you experience a loss of AC power or a significant voltage sag/spike during the BIOS flash, you will either have to buy a new  BIOS chip or buy a new motherboard.

Refer the following link which can resolve the issue:

http://dell.to/XqbuPa

http://dell.to/16Mhg0E

Temperature range is given below:

Operating 0° to 35° C (32° to 95° F)

Storage–40° to 65° C (–40° to 149° F)

Awaiting your response!

Hi Rajesh. Thanks for your reply. However, the links you gave me are regarding keeping the vents clear. What I want is for the computer to run cold, so that it doesn't matter if the vents are blocked, because there is nothing for the fan to do, because the CPU is not hot!

I had this conversation with Dell sales in Nov 2012:

11/08/2012 03:25:22AM Paul Edwards: "anyway, $2700 lets me know what i needed to know. is that system capable of running cold?"

11/08/2012 03:25:32AM Agent (ANZ_Delon_Sofi): "yes they are"

11/08/2012 03:25:38AM Paul Edwards: "fantastic"

11/08/2012 03:26:37AM Paul Edwards: "ok, could you email me a link to the system, so that i can maybe come back and buy it later?"

11/08/2012 03:26:57AM Agent (ANZ_Delon_Sofi): "Paul, i'm afraid that system is specially configured for niche market"

The agent was unable to give me the system model. But 6 months later when I was ready to buy, I saw that the XPS 15 had all the features I wanted, so I bought that, without asking the sales people whether it could be configured to run cold. I'm belatedly asking that now. :-)

Use a cooling pad

(Un)blocked vents are extremely important not just for keeping the CPU cool but the entire mainboard and its components. Ignoring blocked vents will only lead to trouble.

The CPU is always hot when the system is on (idle or otherwise). Blocked vents exasperate the temps and will eventually fry your CPU / mainboard. The CPU is designed to throttle back when overheating (and may even cause shutdowns to protect the system). Constant overheating will eventually kill your laptop.

Always ensure vents are clear, fan is clean, heatsink is clean.

Updating to latest BIOS can also help control CPU cooling.

Your CPU will never run "cold" whilst being cooled by air. I take it you don't live in the Antarctic! Your CPU's temp is effected by the ambient temperature of the environment you're working in. Unless you're using something fancy like LN2 then your CPU will always run hot....how hot is too hot is up to you, keep those vents blocked and you'll find out pretty quickly.

You might mind if the laptop catches fire! Applying settings so that the fan NEVER turns on is a very bad idea and I'm not even sure it's possible, at least not without a BIOS thermal table hack.

As you can see, having numerous applications open isn't really a problem for the CPU. However, playing the latest games, playing DVD's etc is and the CPU will heat up pretty quickly. If the CPU was allowed to overheat on a regular basis, eventually it will fail.

Use a cooling pad....you know it makes sense :)

To check fan operation Boot to F12 and choose Diagnostics...report back any error codes

My CPU is currently running at about 8%. I have 14 internet explorer windows open, windows live mail, Skype etc. When I put my ear to the vent, I cannot hear any fan noise. ie as far as I am aware, the fan is not operating. Is it possible to lock the CPU to this "low heat" status so that the fan never switches on. I don't mind my performance being reduced.