How to vaccum the fans of the M17x?

hey all,
I was recently playing MW2 online (as you do...) and all of a sudden the computer shuts off. The only thing i can think of is that the fans have been gummed up with hair (I have a golden retriever, and she sheds a lot), or it has overheated (unlikely, but possible).

Is there a way to access the Gpu's fans without going through the keyboard( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0MLhA7n6pA&translated=1 )
I'd rather not do that as I'm not to keen to, and disconnecting wires inside the laptop itself sounds a bit sketch... unless someone wants to post a video of how to??

or maybe theres some other reason for the sudden shutdown?

 

monitor your temperatures first, use HWMonitor

 

look on the bottom and see if its clogged up


on that video $1 says he used my video

 

If you suspect that dust is responsible for high temperatures, you can use a compressed air canister to clean the air vents under and behind your laptop, BUT, use a thin toothpick to carefully hold the fan steady and prevent it from spinning. You don't want to do that without holding the fan otherwise it will spin faster than it should and potentially harm it. So act with extra caution and on your own responsibility.

*EDIT*
Forgot to mention that it's not the best way to do it because you will push all the dust in rather than out of the laptop. So take into consideration that too before you proceed.

 

@stamatisx - yea, I might give that a try. but first.. I need to put it together.. it might of just overheated. I thought I could do it via the back of the laptop but later( or more rather as i was doing it) I realised I was wrong.
@The Moo - yea, that was the first thing I tried
Ill probably start monitoring temps from now on... I wasn't to happy when my laptop died.. especially cause I was just about to get a killstreak *facepalm

 

++

I figured you did

What are your idle temps ? I can tell you right off the bat if something is wrong

 

Like Moo said unless it's clogged up or something else is blocking the vents or a fan is dead, then it shouldn't overheat.

 

@The Moo- last I looked (right after the start up 30 mins ago) the gpu's were at 43 and 42.
not sure of the cpu. I don't know where in CPU-Z to find it...
the fans arent dead i dont think.. on second thought. a big warm spot around the control key i've just noticed... hmm :S

Edit :
According to HWmonitor
CPU Temps (as of now):54-57ish.
Gpu's 52-53ish
9400: 71.....is this normal?

 

have you disabled the intergraded gpu?

 

nope, enabled in BIOS, and showing up in device manager
the temps are have lowered a couple degrees across the board.
my houses power has been a bit screwy today actually. maybe it was a power surge or something..

 

Ask people who have the M17x R1 and see if they have better cooling with it off. I can not answer becuse I do not have that type of system.

 

I wonder is it ok to use some portable vacuum cleaner?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001OXDCD4/ref=oss_product

This is just 15W, not 750W normal vacuum, so it's not too strong, but strong enough to pull all the dust out of the fans without opening the laptop?

Correct me if i am wrong

 

The concept sounds good, the only concern here is what if this causes the fans spin faster than they can and get damaged... If he can somehow prevent them from spinning then it's much better than using the air canister

 

Vacuum alone wont remove the caked up dust in the blades. You will need to use a brush along with it.

Best way to clean fans and heatsink:
1) Take parts out of the notebook
2) Brush off all the big fluff and caked dust
3) Blow with 40psi of compressed air (hold blades)
4) Finish off with Cotton buds dipped in denatured alcohol or such
5) Repeat every 6 months

If your too lazy, then just get a toothpick to jam the fans and go rambo with compressed air on the intake vent.