subject: Simple Ways To Fix Your Laptop Overheating By Laptop Care Www.batteryfast.co.uk [print this page] Simple Ways to Fix Your Laptop Overheating by Laptop Care www.batteryfast.co.uk
Just because it is a clich doesnt mean its not true: computers have totally changed our way of doing business. They streamlined our working procedures in the office, then they freed some of us to work at home and now laptops and notebooks allow us to work anywhere we pleasethe corner coffeehouse, an airplane, a parkyou name it. But for all their ease of use, laptops do have a serious problem: they can get overheated, causing interruptions of service, loss of data and possibly the cost of repairs or replacement.
A computer generates a great
amount of heatprobably more than you might realize. Fortunately desktop computers are usually fitted up with large vents and fans to keep the computers reasonably cool. But for whatever reasonspace and weight concerns most likely the people who design laptops tend to skimp on vents and fans. Some models have a couple fans and vents, some have one each, some have none at all. And so, not surprisingly, you have laptops that overheat.
Fixing the Fan
The fan is used to either suck cool air into the machine or blow hot air out of it. Once youve found the fan, gently poke around into the fan vent and see if you can make the fan blades budge. Be careful with what you stick into the vent. You might try a plastic swizzle stick or the end of a cotton swab with the cotton removed. Next, hold the fan blades in place with whatever long object youve been poking around with, and shoot some compressed air into the vent. Make sure the compressed air is made for electronic cleaning and doesnt contain any liquids. Spray with the can top side up or else youll risk having something other than just air coming out. And letting the blades spin can seriously damage the functioning of the fan. If the compressed air doesnt do the trick, try an electronic vacuum cleaner.
Cleaning Out the Vents
You clean out the vents the same way you cleaned the fan, only with the addition of a cotton swab. Dont be rough with it. Make sure when youre using the compressed air that you dont blow the material thats clogging the vents into another part of the machine, out of view. Some brave souls actually go so far as opening the housing of the laptop to clean and poke around inside. Understand, though, that that will render your warranty void. There are also parts inside the notebook which can react adversely when exposed to static and other intrusions.
After cleaning out the inside of the laptop, hit the keyboard with compressed airyoud be surprised at the amount of garbage that builds up underneath the keys. Gently clean the screen with a soft cloththe special sort youd use to clean eyeglasses would be ideal.
Ways of Cooling the Laptop
Though one of the advantages of a laptop is its portability, many users lack common sense in regards to where they place the laptop while in use. Setting up on a bed or pillow might be comfortable for you, but it essentially smothers the laptop, preventing the intake of cool air and the release of hot air.
Think of some way to keep the bottom of your laptop elevated so air can circulate underneath it and to the sides. Sometimes the little rubber feet on the bottom of some laptops do the trick. You can use books, rules, bottle capswhatever will prop the machine up. There are of course custom stands you can use, but some are fair awkward to lug around. Some people will even put ice bags under their laptops, but this would probably make for an uneven surface and also get messy. And how often during the course of a day would you have to stop and refreeze the bags or go buy new ice?
Just as you would not leave a dog or child in a hot car, neither should you leave a notebook there. If youve been working in the sunshine and your laptop starts overheating, you should move into the shade. Dont place your laptop next to a vent blowing hot air or a radiator.
Dont finish up with your laptop, close it, then shove it into a backpack, messenger bag, or carrying casethe confined space will trap heat and damage the laptop. Also consider that if you quickly close up your laptop, that your keyboard will suddenly be face-to-face, as it were, with the heat emanating from the screen. Before you put your laptop into some sort of case, either turn it all the way off or set it to hibernate.
