Noob-friendly fixes to G73JH overheating?

Hi all i'm really quite the noob at fixing computers and their various issues. Unfortunately my g73jh has started to get really hot and shuts down while playing my games - such a sad thing because it used to run perfectly. I have searched around, and I was hoping someone could give me tips on what I think I am able to do with my limited skill. the repasting sounds like the best option, but i am 99% sure I would break my laptop, so that is a last resort and i'll probably have to use some of my saved birthday money to pay someone...not my favorite choice. I was thinking of trying to clean out the exhaust fans and get a cooling pad. So, I was wondering how exactly to I clean the exhaust fans? It seems like I need compressed air - what is a good product to get that I could order off of amazon? (I'm at college and don't know where I could find a store to buy some). I was thinking of this cooling pad - Amazon.com: Cooler Master NotePal U3 Notebook Cooler with 3 Fans R9-NBC-8PCK-G: Computer & Accessories - is that a good one? Or should I get another? Seems hard to find one for a 19inch laptop. I'd really like to fix this issue without doing anything above my skill level if at all possible. I also need my computer for papers and things, so anything that can run the risk of it not functioning properly because of my lack of skill, such as reinstalling a lot of software, probably isn't the best option at this point. Thanks a bunch!

 

Cooling pad won't make much of a difference. What you might want to do is run the ATI GPU Clock tool, and force your clocks to 400/1000. That way it won't overheat. It's only a stop-gap until you can get it repasted. Though, if it's shutting down frequently, you should be able to send it to asus for warranty work. Or maybe someone here in the forum lives close to you and can do it for you.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/532474-get-out-air-cans.html

Worth a try.

 

As you said, get a compressed air can and blow the dust off through the back-vents.

 

I saw this, but I wanted to check on what exactly i'm doing - do I really just spray the can into the exhaust vents and not out of them (wouldn't spraying into them spray the dust into my laptop?)? It also seems like people like this cooling pad: Amazon.com: Thermaltake CLN0009 Massive23 ST 23cm Notebook Cooler (Black ): Electronics
not sure which would be better. I can't unfortunately send my laptop in because I need it for school work also. When I am home on break I was going to either send it in or go to an approved store to have them fix it for me (there is one about 25 minutes from my house at home).

If i am to open the laptop in order to spray out of the vents and not into the vents (so i am spraying into my laptop), how do I open my laptop to do that? Again, sorry if these seem like easy things to do; everyone has to learn at one point or another and this is that time for me

 

Yeah, people like it. But it only makes a 1-2 degree difference for the g73.

 

forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/527654-newbs-guide-repasting-your-g73.html

Other than RMAing or turning the AC to 37F this is your only solution. If your not on 211 or 213 bios you should do that too.

Not necessarily easy but it can be done.

 

I have very good exp. with cooling pads. It is not solution for overheating but it helps to keep laptop temp little lower., Generaly i've found that there is 6-10 deg difference depending on the surface where laptop works- on colling pad without repasting i am getting about 77 deg on furmark.

 

Cooling pad is only effective for the g73 because it is elevated - as far as I can tell, it makes no difference if the fan is on or off, the fact that it's elevated will give you the same results. I may be wrong, though...

 

you are right , from one point of view. the true is that bottom surface of G73 is not hot, - is not even v.warm is just warm,and of course laptop position helps to improve heat transfer. My pad is made of aluminum which have large heat capacity and it is v good as heat exchanger But from the other point of view, even if bottom surface of G73 is just warm (not hot) i belive that increasing temperature gradient inside laptop by decreasing this even small temperature of bottom surface of G73 will increase heat transfer driving force which increase heat transfer from inside the laptop- and this may only help.
but also i may be wrong