Laptop overheating ?

[JeeatTT]

Hi,

I have a Toshiba laptop that's about 2-4 years old so out of warranty/support.

It started shutting itself down intermittently every now and again (sometimes several times in a day), so I was asked to check it out.

It happened to me a few times so I installed some software that I've used before that monitors the temperature of the mainboard/CPU and hard drive and both said the CPU was overheating a lot of the time (at times the temperature would drop back to normal and stay there for a while but later go back up to 70/80 or more).

However, the times it was overheating didn't result in a shutdown as I'd thought would be the case.

None of the case feels especially hot (very warm, but no more than I'd expect) and all the fans appear to be working.

Is it possible that a faulty battery / mains adapter could cause the shutdowns and/or suspected overheating ? If so, would it be worth taking either out and see how it behaves/what the temperature monitors say ?

I'm left wondering if there's anything else I should check because I've been told that I can't keep it indefinitely especially if it's not safe to use (or might not be safe).

Can you assist me at all ?


Regards,
Julia Evans

 

[wahnula]

First thing I would do is run a complete backup and/or image the HDD. Next I would boot into Safe Mode with Networking and see if it continues.

A bad seal between the HSF & CPU would not cause any detectable external heat...extreme buildup of dust in the cooling vents & HSF might not either. If you're comfortable with dismantling and reseating the HSF that would be my next step. A failed fan could also cause overheating.

Is it possible that a faulty battery / mains adapter could cause the shutdowns...

Has that happened in both cases (Battery & mains power?). I usually do all my laptop testing on mains power only, to remove the battery from the suspect list.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[JeeatTT]

Hi,

Thanks very much for replying, especially so quickly.

I will certainly try removing the battery on Monday and see if the problem goes away.

If there's still a chance the CPU is indeed overheating, is it safe to leave it on continuously for a few days (ie. could it explode/catch fire or would it just melt and therefore smell!!)?

I hadn't tried Safe Mode so I will do that if the problem remains even without the battery inside,

I've never taken a laptop apart so I wouldn't know where to start.


Regards,
Julia

 

[Lemon13]

clean the fan

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2006/02/04/toshiba-laptop-disassembly-manuals/comment-page-21/

 

[wahnula]

If you've never disassembled a laptop it's not that big a deal, just keep track of which screws go where...I always use a pill strip or numbered egg carton to keep screws from each operation in the correct order.

Just be patient, and remember that laptop screws NEVER do what you think they do! Be methodical, and careful, I work over a towel as insulation and be sure the battery is removed.

And no, it will not harm the laptop to keep it plugged in and running as long as it's not in this list:

Applicable Models: Satellite A70-S256, A70-S2561, A70-S2362, A70-S2491, A70-S2591, A70-S2482TD, A70-S2492ST, A70-S259, A70-S249, A75-S206, A75-S2091, A75-S2292, A75-S2291, A75-S229, A75-S209, A75-S2061, A75-S226, A75-S2261, A75-S276, A75-S1255, A75-S1254, A75-S1252, A75-S1253, A75-S1251, A75-S125, A75-S2131, A75-S213, A75-S2112, A75-S2293, A75-S2311, A75-S231, A75-S2111, A75-S211, A75-S2761, A75-S2762, M30X-S1592ST, M30X-S1593ST, M30X-S191TD, M30X-S181ST, M30X-S171ST, M30X-S221ST, M30X-S221TD, M35X-S149, M35X-S1491, M35X-S109, M35X-S309, M35X-S3091, M35X-S329, M35X-S1631, M35X-S163, M35X-S1143, M35X-S1142, M35X-S114, M35X-S3111, M35X-S311, M35X-S1611, M35X-S161, M35X-S111, M35X-S1492, M35X-S3291, M35X-S349, M35X-S3491, M35X-S3112, M35X-S1141, M50-S418TD, M50-S4182TD, M50-S5182TD, M50-S5181TD, M55-S135, M55-S325, M55-S3262, M55-S2253, M55-S3251, M55-S1351, M55-S1352, M55-S3511, M55-S351, M55-S3294, M55-S3293, M55-S3292, M55-S3291, M55-S329, M55 Series, M55-S2252, M55-S3512, M55-S3315, M55-S3314, M55-S321, M55-S3313, M55-S3312, M55-S3311, M55-S331, P30-S6362ST, P30-S6363ST, P35-S609, P35-S6091, P35-S6111, P35-S6311, P35-S631, P35-S6112, P35-S6053, P35-S6052, P35-S6051, P35-S605, P35-S611, P35-S6292, P35-S629, P35-S6291
Tecra A3, A3-S731, A3-S611, A3-S711, A5-S416, A5-S237, A5-S516, A5-S136, A5-S3291, A5-S3293, A5-S3292, A5-S329, A5-S118, A5, A5-S6215TD, A5-S116, S2, S2-S511TD

From:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/bulletin.jsp?soid=1501060

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[JeeatTT]

Hi Wahnula,

I only ever tried to dismangle a laptop once (ages ago) and I didn't succeed - I got so far but the case just would not open, so I felt I had to give up (I soon sold it on ebay).

I'm not concerned about damaging the laptop by leaving it on - I need to know if it's safe for the place where the laptop is, ie could it catch light and cause a fire ?


Regards,
Julia

 

[JeeatTT]

Hi,

Just turned it on and realised that there was another symptom - the screen keeps turning pinky every now and again often correcting itself later.

Does this give any further clues as to whether the laptop is overheating or if it's a false alarm ?


Regards,
Julia

 

[gbaughma]

It may be that your video chip is overheating.

I would start first by completely blowing it out with a can of compressed air.

I just had to work on a laptop that kept overheating. I removed the heat sink, cleaned the old heat sink grease off, replaced it, and it was STILL overheating. (I found a free utility to monitor the CPU temp).

Turns out that the heat pipe itself was bad, and I replaced it. After I did that, it worked perfectly.

But... give it a good cleaning first, blow it out well, make sure the fans are spinning, and just google CPU Temperature monitor to find one you can use to watch your temp.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[tandmsimmons]

I have a Toshiba P35 S6292 and have narrowed down the overheating to these possible issues I suggest the following order for repairs;

1)Dust building up inside the laptop around the fans. Try to blow out the dust using a vacuum or compressed air.
2)The battery does heat up and will contribute to any other over heating issues, Toshiba is not very helpful with the battery recall and your battery may not qualify even if it is listed as one from the bad batches. So buy a new battery it never hurts to have an extra.
3)The fans may look like they are working however, I would check them one may be faulty.