m17x-r1, gpu overheating problem

I have had my m17x-r1 since it was first released, and everything was running fine for a year or so then everything started going down hill.

I bought the $3,500 laptop mainly to play games, but whenever I run sli and play a game (any game, low-end or high-end) within 15 minutes the gpus will be scorching hot (100c +) and my laptop will proceed to shut down or blue screen. The problem seems to be with the left gpu and integrated graphics, but the right gpu gets really hot as well. I haven't given my laptop a thorough clean in a very long time, so last night I opened it up to try and access the gpu's so I could clean the fans, dust etc. However when I lift up the hinge panel where the power button is, there are 5 screws attaching the keyboard to the laptop. I unscrewed 4, but there is this one screw that is so tight I tried to unscrew it for 15 minutes but couldn't do it, so I gave up and put it back together. What could be some solutions to this problem?

 

the screws have a type of glue on them and sometimes they can be a PITA to get them out especially when the machine is new.
I advice you use the proper screwdriver to avoid flowering the screw as if this happens you'll have to do some drilling and the screw you may never recover.
You can alco try to twist it with a pair of tongs

For the heating problem i'm sure that your lappy needs its cleaning that should be done regulary:
Start with removing the dust from the heatsink blades (it prevents hot air from leaving the system)
Do a CPU/GPU repaste with the thermal paste of your choice (honestly theres no big difference in brands).
You can find dissmantling videos of the m17x on youtube look for m17x teardown there should be 2 parts.
And guides on how to do it on NBR just do a search.

 

Thanks for the reply, I got the screw out with a different screwdriver no problem. I opened it up and the graphics cards were just blanketed with dust. Im going to have to postpone the thorough clean until later tonight as I have to get my air duster and thermal paste. I have a new problem however, when I disconnect the ribbon cable attached to the hinge cover where the power button is, and reconnect it the display and keyboard lights, speaker lights, etc are not on. However, I can still turn it on and hear the fans and the sound of windows starting up. Last night this happened to me to, but when I woke up the lights and display were working? Not sure what could be causing this.

 

Disregard my last post, that problem is fixed. But now, it turns out my ac adapter is busted and won't charge! The end of the charger, the piece that goes into the DCIN has been loose for a while and blue ring stopped lighting up about a month ago, so I think it might be time for a new one. I'm heading out to the store to go buy a new charger, so I hope this fixes my new problem.

 

Don't just buy any charger as it won't work, Dell uses proprietary chargers on these systems and as of today you can only use a Flextronics or Delta charger that Dell uses.

 

Yea only use a replacement model of the same type.
Its funny. I was rebuilding my two tonight and no dust at all by the vid cards
I must be a wery clean boy

 

Using any other type of charger won't work,you need the proprietary one.