Hi,

Before to start a long discussion, clean the cooling module of your laptop:

http://forums.computers.toshiba-europe.com/forums/ann.jspa?annID=40

Thanks for the reply

the laptop has ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650

and about the whole cleaning it up, do i have to open up the laptop and spray it? or do i just spray in the holes underneath the laptop?

thing is, it does not overheat when it was with vista, it only started when i switched to windows 7. When i switched to windows 7 games that dont usually make my laptop turn off has been shutting it down when the computer heats up. Lets say world of warcraft. i used to play that from morning till night time, during summer too reaching about 30+ inside the house. i switched to windows 7 around winter so its been a cold weather and inside the house is cool aswell since i dont run heaters. next thing u noe, the whole system shuts down because it overheats and in winter too.

but i guess i'll give the dusting it off a try, just need to know if i have to open it up or spray in the holes

again thanks for the reply

Hi siphere,yup u are on the money! i have a Tosh A350 laptop.I have the exact same over-heating problem,even down to running vista before,being cooler for games,now running windows7 now over-heating.
I'll be trying to go through bios maybe and higher the cut out temp which i heard the cpu's can handle up to 100c but apparently bois will cut out within 85-90c automatically,or get a temp program if it cant been done through bios.

Done quote me on this but u can get a cooling mat i hear too?

Message was edited by: darbomb

Message was edited by: darbomb

It is the drivers that set the cut-out temperature. Toshiba drivers have temperature protection built in.

Maximum temperature differs from processor to processor. Although the TjMax for the Core 2 Duo P8600 and Core 2 Duo T6400 is 105C, the TjMax for the Core 2 Duo T5800 is only 85C.

These are maximum temperatures for the core at which the core itself will shut-down to protect itself from damage.

These processor cores are NOT designed to be run for LONG times at over 85-90C. It's not just the CPU you have to think about protecting but all the components on your motherboard as well.

The lower you keep the temperature the longer the life of the laptop will be.

You could try changing the fan settings, although you don't want to wear this component out either.

Finally, low-end laptops are not designed for high-end gaming. Even if the processor is the same gaming laptops have better cooling systems.

There are some major thing to be aware of when using air duster/compressed air on computers./

The obvious one is power, power should be off and preferably the battery taken off so you cant accidentally turn it on, most air dusters are flammable so be careful.

The one that gets missed the most is the fans issue, Most fans have a maximum spin up speed, Old fans obviously have worn bearings. When subjected to a blast from an air duster the fans can spin up beyond their safe spec and bearings can get damaged etc, Bottom line is never to direct air duster onto a moveable fan in a computer. To air dust the fan safely immobilise it by using something inobtrusive to stop the fan spinning whilst you spray/dust the fan.

I tend to use a wooden toothpick placed just between two blades of the fan, but a match stick or something that will not damge or push the blades in should be fine.

I've replaced many fans for customers taht have DIY cleaned with air duster and fans not worked afterwards.

The other thing that has been mentioned but should be highlighted is where you use the laptop. all laptops have very small "feet" at each corner to allow airflow around them to vents etc. When you plut a laptop on any surface where the feet are not able to hold it clear, i.e. on your lap, on carpet, on bed etc then the vents are blocked and the system overheats quickly.

I find that a fairly inexpensive cushioned lap tray with a solid surface works great for me.

NMc_2