Crashing laptop - postcript

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:41 pm

I wouldn't necro my old thread (of course) but I thought a postcript to it might help someone in the same situation.

A while back, my Sony Vaio laptop started crashing all over the place, to extent that it was becoming unusable.

I did try various things, like going back to restore points on XP, and updating my drivers, the only effect was to stop the wifi working.

I have now got it so it almost never crashes, the solution turned out to be a plastic dinner tray. Shocked

When I first bought it (cheap on eBay) I unpacked it and put it on the bed. After running for a few minutes, I got the BSOD and a reboot. Confused

That was a clue, but I was too stupid to see it. The basic problem seems to be the vents, which are underneath:

Even running it on my knee, the vents are partly blocked, and the laptop overheats and goes BSOD without warning. The fact it does it much faster if I put it on the bed is a clue - then the vents are totally blocked.

On a table. the little rubber feet hold the PC a few mm off the surface, so cool air gets under it and into the vents, likewise there is somewhere for heat to escape. I am now running the Vaio on my lap, on a plastic dinner tray - it sits on its feet as if it were on a table, and runs cool and stable.

Which idiot thought it would be a good idea to design laptops that didn't work on, er, laps? Rolling Eyes

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:30 pm

Roy

I have exactly the same issue with my Alienware. Currently it has 'cool feet' on but isn't making much difference.

I have Arctic Silver to use soon, fingers crossed this helps. I have heard about plastic dinner trays, but someone recommended this to me instead.

http://www.xpad4laptop.com/index.html

If the AS doesn't do the trick I shall be purchasing that!

The current core temp is 88c and it's only been running an hour! Shocked

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:33 pm

I've got one of these http://www.rockdirect.com/viewAccessory.php?pName=STAND-ZALMAN

Thumbs up

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:07 pm

I had my Sony Vaio have its COPS (computer overtemp protection system) alert me when its cooling fan was stopped. Someone had messed with it and a wire was preventing the fan from turning. I had an old HP that ran so hot you would not want to put it on your lap unless you were trying to not have kids. I've used those USB fan enabled laptop trays but found that MMs Xpad works the best.
I use Artic Silver 5 and have noticed a decrease in processor temps but its not very much of a delta T. For less critical heat transfer issues, such as LEDs I use alumina gel.

Here's an AMD vs Intel video. I know its old but its interesting-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgOmMAasqto

Crashing laptop - postcript	View next topic View previous topic