Overheating laptop - are add-on coolers any good?

[misterPK]

Hi,

I got this email last night from my little sister at uni.

I was just wondering if you're going to be around at the weekend because I'm coming home and could do with some advice on my computer. Basically the problem is that it keeps overheating and getting very hot. Whats most worrying is that recently the little plastic ring on the end of the power cable (on the end which goes into the compter) has started to melt/deform because of the heat. Which I'm assuming isn;t a good sign. Its also a bit dodgy about when the mains lead works as a result of this.
I'm also worried about it suddenly stopping working one day and loosing things so could do with some advice on how to back up whats on here.

It probably just needs cleaning as she's had it for nearly 4 years. I had to replace the power supply for it last summer, as the old one had got a bit worn and was shorting. I can't imagine its just that the connector is made of a cheaper plastic though. It is a bit worrying so I was wondering what other options there are if its not just full of dust.

I could underclock it a bit, I don't know the spec of the machine so I'll have to wait to see what its like. I was also wondering about getting one of these notebook coolers I've seen. Are they any good?

Cheers,
PK!

 

[beermonster]

the laptop heatsink is probably ready for a clean, those cans of air duster should do the trick, laptop cooler may help but if its blocked probably hardly any difference, also sounds like the power supply is going faulty too, they melt/deform due to shorting internally not by heat from the laptop, would be best to replace. hth

 

[misterPK]

Well I've had a look at it and it shorting is the best theory. The power connector is on the opposite side to anything that should be getting hot, and the CPU is not overheating. I've told her she should take it to someone with more knowledge than me, but it could be on its last legs.

PK!

 

[DB_SamX]

Do a search. I posted a month back regarding my overheating laptop. Mine idles at 60 and hits 80+ deg during gaming!! Get a software that will monitor the temps to find out if anything in particular causes it. A combination of things will help: laptop cooler. canned air through vents, removing fan casing and cleaning it, removing heatsink and replacing thermal paste. Each may knock a few degrees off. Also, not using it on cloth where the fan may such dirt/fluff in. It may be hot air inside is moving to the other side?