Anyone know anything about laptops?

**bigknill** · 26th June 2008, 21:55

My laptop seems to be blowing hard - the cooling fan is almost constantly on - and I don't remember it being on so much when it was newer!

Does this suggest that it is going to pack up any minute now and that I need to back everything up smartish or is it nothing.

Any advice gratefully received.

**soulman** · 26th June 2008, 22:01

probibly find the fan is full of fluff and crap..........probibly just needs a good cleaning

**JuzzyD** · 26th June 2008, 22:02

As Soulman says the CPU heatsink fins are probably full of dust etc.

What make/model is it? The layout of the heatsinks varies a lot and sometimes you can download a maintenance manual from the manufacturers website showing how to take the laptop apart (HP and Dell are particularly good at this).

**coylo5** · 26th June 2008, 22:03

wouldnt hurt to back your stuff up tho

**joules2.0t** · 26th June 2008, 22:06

Could be fluff\dust. Could also mean the heatsink needs reseating and fresh paste applied.

Stick the vacume on it and see if it improves.

How old is the laptop?

**JuzzyD** · 26th June 2008, 22:09

Originally Posted by joules2.0t

Could be fluff\dust. Could also mean the heatsink needs reseating and fresh paste applied.

Stick the vacume on it and see if it improves.

How old is the laptop?

Be careful of static though!

Best to use a small hoover designed for the job (he speaks of experience of zapping a server in his early days of IT....)

**Leviathan** · 26th June 2008, 22:11

Yep deffo the cooling fan full of crap. Doesnt mean your house is dirty! They just attract all the crap and eventually become clogged up with it. Only recently did I have to strip the wifes toshiba and clean the fan and heat sink...depending on the laptop you have, it can be a real swine.

**joules2.0t** · 26th June 2008, 22:17

JuzzyD

(he speaks of experience of zapping a server in his early days of IT....)

LOL - Managed to slow down the entire network with a faulty switch - needless to say we dont use that make any more!!

**bigknill** · 26th June 2008, 22:23

Originally Posted by Leviathan

Yep deffo the cooling fan full of crap. Doesnt mean your house is dirty! They just attract all the crap and eventually become clogged up with it. Only recently did I have to strip the wifes toshiba and clean the fan and heat sink...depending on the laptop you have, it can be a real swine.

Glad it's not down to an untidy house. Would have to have stern words with SWMBO

My laptop's an Acer Aspire 5612 and is about 2 years old. How long can I expect it to last?

**joules2.0t** · 26th June 2008, 22:26

Difficult to say - really depends on when it can no longer run current apps.
Hardware wise, I have an old Sony Vaio - getting on for 6 years now, only used for net surfing.
Does greatly depend on how it is used...