Problem with my Area 51 M15X

Hey.

Sorry if I am posting about an issue that's already been covered, but I couldn't see anything relating.

A few weeks ago my M15x started giving up the ghost.
It works fine when in stealth mode, but when I turn off stealth mode, usually within a few minutes or even straight away at times, I get a blank screen, and the laptop will reboot after a few mins.

I can't find any corisponding error reports.

I've tried multiple graphics card drivers, reinstalled a clean copy of windows, and so on, but still I am having the same issues.

Basically the laptop is crippled, as I can only use if for web browsing at the moment, any kind of gameplay is impossible.

I tried playing a non graphically intensive game (FM 2012) in stealth mode, and ended up with BSOD after a few minutes.

I'm just looking for a bit of input on how to correctly diagnose the problem, so I can see about repairing.

I can't really check the GPU to see if it's overheating, as it crashes after I turn off stealth mode, so I wouldn't be able to get a temp reading.


Thanks in advance.

Details:

Area 51 M15X-R1
Nvidia Geforce 9800M GT
Intel Core 2 Extreme x9000 @ 2.80GHz
Bios Quanta vX36 P3

 

I think it is fairly safe to assume it is overheating running on discreet GPU. The first thing I would do is a partial teardown and clean all the dust and lint out of the fans and heat sink radiators. If you have not done this recently, it may be all it needs to run fine again. If you already tried that, you may be past due for re-pasting the CPU and GPU heat sinks. If that has never been done before, it's probably time for that on a system of this age.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I've opened it and cleaned out the sinks and vents to no avail.
I'll take a look at the GPU and CPU tonight to see if it needs a repasting.

Thanks again.