Laptop Deteriation

KiTBoH · 10 Jan 2009 at 17:50

I bought a new laptop for uni at the beginning of term in about september. It's been fine, running everything well but recently the performance became choppy. Now I know having a full hard drive can have an effect on performance and other things like that but it's started heating up a LOT. I keep it on a flat surface and don't block any of the vents yet while idle it can go up to 70 something degrees on GPU, CPU and occasionally (but rarely) HDD.

It never used to do this, it used to stay at around 50 unless I had been playing games on it for ages, and this, along with decreased performance is making me want to send it back and have it checked. I'm worried about doing so, though, because if i send it back and they say there is nothing wrong with it i will get charged. what should I do?
Is it likely they'll do something about it or will I just get charged a ridiculous amount for nothing :/

Shadows1990 · 10 Jan 2009 at 18:04

Sounds to me like the fans are blocked. Dust, fur and fluff can build up in your laptop, causing the cooling system to be less efficient.
It's fairly easy to clean though, just get a can of compressed air and spray into the vents (usually on the underside).
When you think you have done enough, wait for the fans to go into high-speed, and check to see if they are blowing out hot-air. This is a sign that they are working.

KiTBoH · 10 Jan 2009 at 18:08

:/ I'll try it, would it really make that much of a difference, though?

Thanks for the reply, too :]

PhillyDee · 10 Jan 2009 at 19:17

Yes. Dust/dirt coats the heatsinks and makes them radiate less heat.