M17x going into meltdown?

Hi guys (and gals)-

You've helped me with some niggling issues in the past and I come to you once again for some assistance.

It seems my laptop is getting very very warm. More than usual as of late. The fan is loud and working overtime and it can get to the point I can barely put it on my lap because of the hot air being exhausted. Some of the black plastic screen on the back and bottom has been turned white by the heat. (Should I start pumping in sea-water yet? )

I'm not having any problems with function so I just want to address any issues before I do. When it sounds and feels like it wants to get feverish I turn it off to give it a rest.

My wife and I do use it a lot but I wouldn't say any more than any other well used computer. Seems to be behaving fairly well as I turn it on this morning to write this post and browse the web. But I can feel some warmth building up through the case.

Sorry to be long winded. What kind of steps should I take to help my computer deal easier with any heat buildup? Are there any known hardware or software issues that cause these symptoms? I am still under warranty.

Thank you for any insight you can offer?

 

have you opened it up and cleaned the heat sink fins lately?If not that is most likely your problem.

 

Call Dell and ask them to clean out the dust from the computer (since it is still under warranty).
A good laptop cooler is also good to have. I use zalman nc2000.

 

I have never opened the case so as not to void any warranty. Is there a link or directions how to correctly open the case and properly clean the heat sinks? Sorry if that is a stupid question.

 

There is a m17x teardown video on youtube, but dell will do it for you since it is under warranty

 

Definately clean out the heatsinks, but that white stuff is just very fine dust collected on the bottom. A wet rag should take care of that.

 

I've looked at some tear down videos on YouTube and looks pretty straightforward. Rather than spend some downtime without the laptop I think I'd like to clean it myself. Which you tube video do you suggest is the best for takedown and cleaning instruction? Can someone provide a link. Most of the videos show clearly how the laptop is disassembled but more vague on what to clean and how to do it. I'm wondering also how far it needs to be taken down to be adequately cleaned. These videos are very detailed on how to make the unit into lots of little pieces, I'm just not sure that's necessary for what I'm trying to accomplish. A link to what someone thinks is the best cleaning video or two or three videos that I should watch would be awesome. Again, thanks for all your help, it's already been a learning experience again just in this thread.

 

To clean it, you need to remove the gpus and stuff to reach the fans. In Sweden if you temper with your m17x you will void your warranty (according to the dell tech support guy I spoke to when I wanted to repaste my cpu and gpus). So if you want to clean it yourself make sure that dell in your region allow it.

 

You can open it with no worry about the warranty.

 

So I was up until late taking apart my laptop, sucking and blowing fans, circuit boards and heat sinks, and then reassembling. BIG DIFFERENCE, HoLy CoW! Quiet as a church mouse and cool as a cucumber. I haven't heard the fan since I put it back together. Thanks again.

Some pics for your enjoyment. I couldn't believe how much crap was in my laptop. It looks like I was using it as a shop vac. My furnace fan looks better.

 

Holy schmoly
How long have you had the laptop?

 

I got it the middle of February in 2010, so just over 13 months old. I know, crazy right. The only explanation I have is that I got a 4 year old and a chocolate lab.