My Laptop is Burning Up!

| by Paula Brett | No Gravatar

Yep that’s right, my laptop is so hot you could fry an egg on it.  Sadly, that’s not a clever euphemism for “wow, my laptop’s on fire cos I’m churning out so much work”! Overheating Laptop

My laptop really is like Mount Vesuvius, waiting to erupt at any minute!

For the past month or so, every time I put my laptop on my lap, I ended up with scorched thighs, which I can assure you, isn’t a pretty sight! I know Rod Stewart opined on the virtues of Hot Legs, but this is ridiculous!

I’ve never really been a `laptoppy’ person until August last year, when just before I was due to whizz off on holiday , my PC decided to  have a hairy fit and start spewing blue screens of death at me and all sorts of other technical unmentionables -arrghh!

So I took the bull by the horns and steamed into my nearest store and grabbed a laptop that I thought looked rather attractive. I know, attractiveness is not a good criteria to choose a laptop but I was pretty desperate and it was just as good as Eeny Meeny Miny Mo!

Now up until a couple of weeks ago, all was well with Lysander the laptop, he was a rather spritely boy and I became rather addicted to him. In fact, he encouraged me to become terribly lazy. Who could be bothered to fire up the old PC and sit perched there as winter was approaching, enduring frozen fingers and toes, when Lysander was beckoning me enticingly; positively luring me to jump on the couch, cover my feet with a quilt and flip his enormously attractive lid?

But, suddenly, inexplicably I thought, the laptop started to cut out.  Black screen… nothing! Bizarre. I couldn’t start him up again he just wouldn’t put out.

At first I thought I’d got one of those deadly viruses – blamed Thing 1 and Thing 2 for downloading dodgy games and getting me infected.

Every day, this would happen more and more. Depending on what I was doing on the `puter, it would just shut down with no warning. If I was watching a video I could hear the fan chugging and working like a Trojan. If I was running a few programs at once, woah, the fan was working overtime and that thing was heating up like a pubescent boy at a Miss World beauty contest.

The mouse pad was turning into a ceramic hob and the underneath of the laptop was growing more pyroclastic by the minute giving me more than just a sharp crease in my trousers!

Time to hit Google, type in my model name and number and see what happens.

Phew. How comforting. there were tons of people who were all experiencing the same problem as me.  It’s odd, isn’t it, how you always feel better when you find other people that are having the same problems as you – you just don’t feel so alone, somehow!!

What Causes a Laptop to Overheat? stop laptop overheating My Laptop is Burning Up!

  • Using your machine intensively, makes the hard drive, the central processing unit (CPU) and video systems work at a high capacity. If you do a lot of gaming on your laptop, or run a lot of programs at one time such as Photoshop or Dreamweaver, these will be causing the CPU to work some overtime. I particularly notice my lappy heating up when a virus scan is running. So, the harder your laptop is working, the hotter your processor will get.
  • Keeping your laptop in an hot environment, very hot room, near to a radiator/heater etc. contributes to over-heating
  • The make and model of your laptop determines whether it may have a propensity to overheating -  i.e. if your model’s design does not allow for adequate ventilation.
  • If you obstruct the existing ventilation in any way e.g. use it on a bed, blanket, quilt etc
  • Allowing fibres and dust to enter the ventilation area.
  • Plugging in USB devices such as dongles and external hard drives puts a load on the processor


How Do I Know if I Have an Overheating Problem?

It’s important to remember that there is a difference between your laptop getting hot and actually overheating. If you aren’t sure if your laptop is truly overheating, look out for the following

  • If your laptop suddenly shuts down for no reason – this often means the fail safe system in the computer has kicked in when it hits a certain temperature
  • You may become aware of the fan working more often and sounding louder and/or more vigorous than normal as it tries to cool the computer down
  • Memory operation errors
  • Your laptop is scorching hot to touch in certain areas
  • Your laptop is running slower than usual


What Damage Can Overheating Cause?

  • Your laptop can suffer quite extensive damage and require you to replace major components, which could prove to be expensive.
  • You can actually cause damage to yourself. My report of singed thighs was slightly exaggerated but, believe it or not, cases of burned genitalia and legs are common. Some medical reports also attribute fertility problems to excessive heat from a laptop.


What Do I Do if my Laptop is Overheating? laptop My Laptop is Burning Up!

  • Try to keep your laptop on a cool, hard surface. The majority of models have their ventilation underneath, so if you were daft enough to think that because it’s called a laptop it’s ok to have it on your lap (doh), think again. You may well be in danger of obstructing the ventilation. Ensure that air can circulate all around the laptop, especially underneath.
  • Keep all the vents clear of dirt, fluff, dust and fibres.
  • Only connect USB devices when you need to use them.
  • Use the powersaving functions of your laptop, helps to prevent overheating and also extend the battery life

I hope this helps any of you who are experiencing similar problems. I’m pleased to say that Lysander is behaving perfectly once again after I ordered him this nifty new notebook cooler and my legs are now recovering from that motley, corned beef look :0

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  1. 36 Responses to “My Laptop is Burning Up!”

  2. By Hilary DickinsonNo Gravatar on Feb 7, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula

    Love the writing style it definitely made me smile.

    I have to say it also made me shift my laptop on my legs – not right off them though!

    I end up using the laptop as my husband is usually on the main computer either doing programming stuff or playing chess, but we have had quite a few problems with our main computer lately so we are on a back-up old computer.

    Argh! It means I don’t have access to all of my files and old emails. Oh well we just have to move on I suppose!

    Anyway a useful post – thanks for the reminder to stop getting roasted thighs! (Better go and move to the table lol)

    Hilary

  3. By Pat GrahamNo Gravatar on Feb 7, 2009 | | Reply

    Well, Paula, at least you are not your usual frozen self if your laptop is barbecuing your thighs.

    Nice post, though. I’ve been thinking about getting a laptop and you’ve given me some tips that will help me make the right choice, instead of picking the best-looking one. It’s probably a hormonal thing.

    Pat

    Pat Graham’s last blog post..Three Unusual Uses For Beer

  4. By MikeNo Gravatar on Feb 8, 2009 | | Reply

    Very informative post. I often have to shift my laptop off to the side on my lap to allow the vents room to breath.

    But I wasn’t aware that running multiple apps could cause it to get so hot. I’m lucky that I haven’t had a problem yet but I’ll be far more aware of the heating from now on.

    Mike

  5. By adrian slideNo Gravatar on Feb 8, 2009 | | Reply

    hello again paula, just wondering if you really put an egg on your laptop or did you do that in photoshop? :) hey you know something my laptop gets warm to on my thighs too maybe i should try having dinner on it so it keeps the dish warm…lol
    I really enjoy reading yoour posts paula, hey hows your list building going?

    adrian slide’s last blog post..Video Marketing Queen!!

  6. By Randy SmithNo Gravatar on Feb 8, 2009 | | Reply

    LOL… Love the egg picture Paula :)

    But what – no pic of your legs?? (hehe)

    Anyway – I thought the simple solution to the laptop overheating was to borrow an ice cube out of your voddie to cool it down…
    (Or do you need the ice to make the voddie taste like a summers day by the pool?)

    Randy

    Randy Smith’s last blog post..Randy’s Bonuses For John Thornhill’s MasterClass!

  7. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Feb 8, 2009 | | Reply

    @Hilary – thank you for your kind words.

    I said my lappy made me lazy, well it also made me sign up for GoToMyPC, so that I can access all my files on my PC and drag them across to my laptop if I need them – now THAT’S lazy lol

    @Pat – well don’t ask me when you go to choose one, please. Yes, I believe you’re right – choosing a lapop out of the 1000s on offer does make your hors mone!

    @Adrian – I reckon the laptop would make a great hostess trolley – or perhaps one of these things you have in the middle of the table at Chinese restaurants to keep your rice warm!

    @Randy – nooooo, no pics of my corned-beef-mottled legs, you’ll have to use your imagination. Shhhhh, you’ll be giving everyone the impression that I like Vodka, tch :(

  8. By Theresa MayhewNo Gravatar on Feb 9, 2009 | | Reply

    Paula,
    This is probably the answer to my questions regarding my laptop. It didn’t even occur to me to google it and find out if other people are experiencing the same problem, duh!

    For the past several weeks my ‘puter has been crashing for no good reason (according to me). All of a sudden it just shuts off. I think God is trying to tell me to go do something else for a while.

    I’ll check the overheating theory, maybe dust it off.

    Thanks for the great post. Happy Sunday,
    Theresa

    Theresa Mayhew’s last blog post..Video Cash Explosion: Blast Traffic To Your Site

  9. By Pat GrahamNo Gravatar on Feb 9, 2009 | | Reply

    Paula…If you didn’t make me laugh so much I would believe that you are crazier than I am.

    When I get a laptop, I AM going to ask you for recommendations. That way, I will know what not to buy. Even crazy has it’s uses, besides keeping sane people away from you. Seems to be working.

    Pat

    Pat Graham’s last blog post..Three Unusual Uses For Beer

  10. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Feb 9, 2009 | | Reply

    @Theresa – I remember when my `computer man’ first started attending me regularly (about 4 times a year, seemed I was always calling the poor man out about my PC). When he first opened it up, it was totally embarrassing, the thing was chocka-block full of dust [blush].

    Now he pops along twice a year, I get the vacuum out and he takes it all apart and gives it a good `going over’. Amazing how much dust these things attract!

  11. By Stuart TurnbullNo Gravatar on Feb 9, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula

    Thanks for the advice re. laptop overheating, I was wondering why my legs where feeling so scorched!

    Good luck

    Stuart

    Stuart Turnbull’s last blog post..My 12 months

  12. By Dave NicholsonNo Gravatar on Feb 9, 2009 | | Reply

    Hey Paula,

    I used to service PC’s a few years ago and you would not believe the states people would give them to me, I mean FULL of dust. Then they would wonder why it was not working or it had overheated, the top problem that I found was people not servicing the computer fans, these attract dust, slow down and then provide no cooling, consequently the system overheats, a simple fix if you do not want to take it apart and clean the fans (takes 5 mins) is to get an air duster and use it to keep the fans clear.

    Nice post … different!

    Dave.

    Dave Nicholson’s last blog post..How to Add an Optin Form Into Your Blog

  13. By Gary SimpsonNo Gravatar on Feb 9, 2009 | | Reply

    Paula,

    Forget the damn laptop. What is all that arching over “Lysander the laptop” doing to your back and posture?

    Are you turning yourself into a round-shouldered Hunchback of Paula-Land?

    I watch other people using these blasted laptops and I wonder what they will look like in 5 or 10 years time. I reckon they will all need wheels for their fricken noses. Hmm, maybe I have just identified a big niche market.

    SHOUT: To all you people crunching and hunching over your laptops – get the bloody things onto a desk, get your posture right – LOOK AFTER YOURSELF!

    Do some exercise, some proper exercise – push ups, sit ups, weight training. Yeah! Don’t be a computer weakling.

    Gary Simpson

    Gary Simpson’s last blog post..Internet Marketing – Inspirational Message From Linda Caroll

  14. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Feb 10, 2009 | | Reply

    @Stuart – beware the mottled legs – they’re NOT attractive, lol

    @Dave – that’s the problem for me, I wouldn’t dare to open my `puter up, I’d probably lose screws and bits and not know how to put it back together again. Also, if I tried to hoover it out I’d end up sucking up the mother board or something!! I will try the air duster suggestion, though – thanks :)

    @Gary – yeah, yeah you’re right, I have got one sloped shoulder actually. I did hear someone whisper something about Quasimodo when I walked by them in the pub the other week!!

    Thanks for stopping by and trying to get everyone in shape.

    Attent’n folks – Gary’s in the house x

  15. By KevinNo Gravatar on Feb 14, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula,

    Great post and I also love your writing style, you had me laughing all the way through. As I tweeted to you, I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt to prove it. I actually had a laptop replaced by warranty because three laptops ago, I had one that got so hot it actually cooked it’s own brain and had to be put to sleep and now is hopefully somewhere in laptop heaven.

    I keep my current laptop on a cooling pad 24/7 and it’s made my laptop (sorry, I haven’t gotten around to naming mine, lets just call him Qosmio) very happy! It’s also much cooler on your legs when you relocate yourself to the couch and have it in your lap!

    Keep up the great work and please tell me how you put your “Twitter ID” box above this one, what a smart idea!

    Take care,
    Kevin

    Kevin’s last blog post..The Total Blogging Solution

  16. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Feb 14, 2009 | | Reply

    Thanks, Kevin, for your kind words.

    Yes, I think I got my cooling thing in the nick of time, thank Goodness. I don’t want to give up my couch just yet, perhaps when the warmer weather comes ;)

    The Twitter ID box thing is a very nice plug in by Andy Baily (@commentluv on Twitter). Really nice guy. It adds another field to the comment form as you can see. http://www.fiddyp.co.uk/updated-wp-twitip-id-to-final-version/

  17. By Elaine BNo Gravatar on Feb 17, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula

    Great post as usual, you really know how to cheer people up.

    Do I know what a hot laptop feels like – my old laptop would work for about 30mins and then decide to shut down and absolute pain in the butt.

    So last year I decided time for a new one and thankfully I don’t have any problems now.

    The Twitter plug in looks great but am having problems accessing the website maybe there’s a blip. Will keep on trying.

    Keep up the good work

    Elaine

  18. By Gary SimpsonNo Gravatar on Feb 22, 2009 | | Reply

    Hello dahlink!

    Isn’t that how you say it? LOL!

    Thanks for stopping by and trying to get everyone in shape.

    Attent’n folks – Gary’s in the house x

    Yes, but perhaps you should have said… “Gary and the twins are in the house!”

    So, Pauls, darls, you know that the Gazz-Man is right (er, I was wrong once… back in 1974… from memory). Exercising is good. Good posture is good. When you are fit and strong then you are just so much better at all sorts of activities, if you get my drift…

    Just letting you know that myMotivational Moment Video #2 is now live. (Oh, I guess I should have asked before I was so bold to do that. I know how precise everything must be here in Pala-land).

    Anyway darls, you crack a mention in the blog commentry over at the TEMPLE but I have been thinking about some of your taunts to me on Twitter. Darls never provoke me – LOL! I have something brewing in my dastardly mind and you could get a run in MM video #3. I may ponder this some more before my mind is made up.

    Incidentally, I am collecting all those “x” things and I may ply you with vodka at the bar in Las Vegas – if you go, of course – and ask you to make good on one – LOL! I am PMROTFL as I type this piece of lunacy.

    Gazz-Man
    TEMPLE

    Gary Simpson’s last blog post..Motivational Moment Video #2

  19. By Garry ParkesNo Gravatar on Feb 23, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula,

    Looks like our friend Gazza could of done with reading this post sooner. He’s blown is desktop computer up!! Too much burning the midnight oil and banging away as his keyboard I feel.

    It might keep him quiet for a while though ? but I except he will be back with vengeance when he returns.

    Garry

    Garry Parkes’s last blog post..Joint Venture Community

  20. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Feb 23, 2009 | | Reply

    Thanks, Elaine. Have you tried the plugin link again, seems to be working ok for me?

  21. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Feb 23, 2009 | | Reply

    @Gary – I think I might’ve just double-booked the Las Vegas week, lol. Ooops!

    When is it anyway? Anyone know? I can’t commit till I know the dates.

    @Garry – He’s back with a vengeance, sadly. Just been haranguing me on Twitter, grrrrrr! ;)

  22. By Gary SimpsonNo Gravatar on Feb 24, 2009 | | Reply

    OK Pauls,

    It’ll be voddies at 10 paces. LOL!

    Now, since you corrected me on Twitter re – cloved/cloven… my turn. No doubt you will correct this posthumously and make me look like that thing on your computer picture up there but…

    Gary – me – ONE R

    Garry Parkes – Parkesy – TWO R’s

    Haranguing – ONE R

    Grrrr – as many R’s as you want.

    And while we are on the subject of R’s… oh, forget it. LOL!

    Gazz-Man
    @ the TEMPLE

    Gary Simpson’s last blog post..Motivational Moment Video #2

  23. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Feb 24, 2009 | | Reply

    Touche! But I DID get the Rs in the Garys correct (two Rs in correct, right?) ;)

  24. By AdamNo Gravatar on Mar 2, 2009 | | Reply

    Same problem with my lap top as well. I use a three fan cooling pad.

  25. By Richard AllenNo Gravatar on Mar 8, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula,

    Brilliant post, I couldn’t help but keep on reading!

    Mind you, I haven’t had a laptop on my lap for a couple of years since an old one I that had did keep overheating and made my legs go numb!

    This one stays firmly on the desk!

    Regards,

    Richard

    Richard Allen’s last blog post..Here Comes The Boot Sale Season

  26. By trimNo Gravatar on Mar 14, 2009 | | Reply

    lol. after reading this post i had to put a book underneath my laptop. informative post girl.

  27. By mma gearNo Gravatar on Mar 17, 2009 | | Reply

    Excellent tips, there are definitely hot spots on my laptop. However, I noticed that newer models are a lot better at managing heat.

  28. By Ron BarrettNo Gravatar on Mar 25, 2009 | | Reply

    Paula,

    As always…bringing a smile to everyone’s faces.

    I had a laptop die on my last November…bought a new dell…I like it, but it doesn’t have quite the processing power that my trusty desktop has…

    Unfortunately, my desktop took a nosedive last week and now I am in the market for another…

    Guess what? I am going to make the switch…going with a mac.

    Why?

    How many reasons are there? More processing power, they run faster, NO viruses and the editing functionality for photos is far superior to a pc.

    I am a pc support person and the more I see mac’s in action, just gotta have one.

    Good luck with yours.

    Ron

    Ron Barrett’s last blog post..I Want To Participate In The Giveaways, But I Don’t Have a Gift! Help Me!

  29. By NikkiNo Gravatar on Mar 28, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula,

    Ever since I updated my laptop so it wasn’t running stuff from the 80’s (well, it seemed that way), it’s taken to shutting down on me.

    So I remembered your post about this, and here I am!

    Time to go and buy a fan I think…then perhaps all will be well…

    Thanks,

    Nikki

  30. By Michael HaughtNo Gravatar on Apr 4, 2009 | | Reply

    Paula,

    I got your operation ebook through John’s masterclass.

    It’s very informative and to the point. I’m not all the way through it yet but it’s been helpful so far.

    I like how you have a little story about how you started at the beginning. I think I’m going to use that in my first ebook.

    Thanks!

    http://www.michaelhaught.com

    Michael Haught’s last blog post..My first Information product!

  31. By ReubenNo Gravatar on Apr 11, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula

    I tried to write to you on SU, but I was blocked.

    When reading this post, the first thing that came to my mind was the quilt covering your feet. If the laptop was sitting upon the quilt, that might well block the cooling vents.

    Also, I’ve found that Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/)
    runs cooler than Windoze. I haven’t learned why. It’s just my observation.

    Reuben

  32. By BernardNo Gravatar on Apr 12, 2009 | | Reply

    Haha…Nice one!!!

    Bernard’s last blog post..NEW BLOG LAYOUT AFTER DAYS OF EDITING

  33. By Crystal from KIZZNo Gravatar on Apr 15, 2009 | | Reply

    Thanx for the follow on twitter Paula. This is almost psychic you finding me and writing this post, as I have been having the same thing going on with my laptop….wondering if its hot or overheating. thanx for finding me! helped me!:)

    Crystal from KIZZ’s last blog post..FUN WITH WORD CLOUDS!!!

  34. By Barry WellsNo Gravatar on Apr 28, 2009 | | Reply

    Hi Paula, just a quick message to let you know that i’ve writen a blog post about your operation ebook, and to thank you for all the help you’ve given me over the time i’ve been a member of PlanetSMS.

    Hope you like it, many thanks Barry

    http://www.barry-wells.com

    Barry Wells’s last blog post..Boy oh boy have I been busy lately

  35. By Paula BrettNo Gravatar on Aug 8, 2009 | | Reply

    @Ron – OK, OK, coming over here with your MAC this and MAC that, lol. I really must get one, to be honest, just so I can see what all the fuss is about. Hope you’re enjoying yours

    @Nikki – your laptop’s been sorted now, hasn’t it. Amazing what a good old vacuuming can do!

    @Richard – glad to hear you no longer have numb legs, lol

    @trim – hope the book’s holding up ok!

    @mma gear – I only bought mine last August, so it is a fairly new model. Then again, I guess a few months is a long time in computer design :(

    @Michael – wow, thank you Michael for your kind words. I’m glad that my book was helpful to you. The best of luck with your book :)

    @Reuben – really, I don’t remember ever blocking anyone on SU, that’s very odd. I’ll check it out but I can assure you I definitely haven’t blocked anyone on purpose :(

    I don’t actually put the laptop on the quilt, so there’s no worries there, but thanks for your recommendation, looks interesting.

    @Crystal – hey Crystal, glad to help out, thank you for stopping by :)

    @Barry – Wow, thank you so much, Barry. That’s really very kind of you. An excellent post, even if I do say so myself. You’re a star :)

  36. By rory pearsonNo Gravatar on Aug 15, 2009 | | Reply

    “For the past month or so, every time I put my laptop on my lap, I ended up with scorched thighs, which I can assure you, isn’t a pretty sight! I know Rod Stewart opined on the virtues of Hot Legs, but this is ridiculous!”

    Same thing happens to me, if you get a red dotted pattern thing, it ma be erythema ab igne. (many pictures in google are a lot worse than my legs) If i remember right, this is caused by radiation and could lead to sterilisation.

  37. By Karen ChiaNo Gravatar on Oct 6, 2009 | | Reply

    I was searching for information on CPU throttling then I found this post. You made a point on an “aged” Lappy why it suddenly becomes slow. It just struck the cord.. I was wondering what’s happening to my Laptop for a while.
    .-= Karen Chia´s last blog ..Google Wave – A new entry to the world of social media =-.

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