Cleaning your Asus works wonders...

Hey all,

I've had my Z63a for about a year and a half now, and it's been a great computer. However, over the past little while (maybe several months or so), I've always wondered by my laptop got so hot. The palmrests were always warm. and the bottom of the laptop (primarily the hard drive) would get so hot that if I touched it with my fingers, it would literally burn. Seriously.
So recently, I decided to open up my laptop to clean it up. I opened up the CPU/RAM compartment... cleaned all of the gunk/dust that was stuck in the vent. Then i removed the fan module and cleaned that thoroughly... re-attached everything, and booted up. Ever since then, the palmrests only get WARM at its worst, and the bottom of the laptop is now pleasantly warm. I don't know exactly why cleaning the CPU fan module and vents would create such a difference in the HDD area.. but I guess it has something to do with the chassis heat being trapped.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience with the rest of you... and if you think your laptop is unnecessarily hot like mine was, try cleaning it up - especially if you've had your machine for a while now.

AuroraS

 

Yeah thats a great deal, and every one should clean up their computer every 6 months something like that.
The heat created by your notebook is passed to the chassis, so , when something is very hot, all the chassis comes hot too.
In my case (v6v) I notice that a lot because the aluminum chassis.

The advise is, clean your notebook!

 

how about the warranty issues? If we open it our self would it avoid the warranty?

 

The warranty is only voided if you change the parts. Some computers have stickers, where in order to replace a processor, you have to peel a "warranty sticker" off. The manufacturer checks for that sticker; if it's been tampered with, they know immediately that the warranty has been voided. For others, people keep track of what they sell their customers. When sent in to be fixed, they check for whether or not the components listed are the same as when they first sold them.

Yeah, it's incredible. There was dust accumulating on the exhaust port on the left of my computer and the bottom intake fan. I took a cotton swab, brushed it off, and the computer definitely ran cooler. The dust probably interferes in some way with air transfer by blocking off volume that air would normally pass through. That would be the most obvious explanation, I guess

 

Just a little concern: How do you guys clean the LCD screen of your Asus laptop. I own a G1 for 3 months and now the screen is dirty. I don't know what to use to clean it, any suggestions ?

 

Hmm interesting, I'll look into it...literally.

 

Personally, I don't use anything fancy. Some tap water or distilled water + a lint-free cloth (the kinda you wipe your glasses with) will work just fine.

 

That seems right, Aurora. If the fan and heatsink and vents are clogged with dust/dirt, then the airflow is staunched. Heat will build-up...and you know the rest...

 

A mix of 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% water. Slightly dampen a lint free cloth (microfiber cloths for cleaning eyeglasses works great) with the mix and wipe in one direction. Cleans prints, removes dust, and no static cling.

 

Three months? OMG, I clean mine like every three days! It gets filthy, dude!

My favorite cleaner is PixelClean: http://www.pixelclean.com. Works great for sunglasses too, so it's perfect for traveling.

 

sounds wise but i have to wait for the guarantee

 

I second ubercool's suggestion of http://www.pixelclean.com

here are some reviews:

http://peripherals.about.com/od/displaysmonitors/gr/pixelclean.htm

http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/PixelClean_LCD_Cleaner/index.shtml

http://www.hometheatermag.com/news/041406screentek/

 

I second the guy who said to search the forums

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=75416

For sure though clean the laptop out, vents and all every 6 months or so. With my old G732 I did it every 2 or 3 months because that got mega dusty with its Desktop P4. You can really hear/feel the difference and you'll be helping to extend the lifespan of the laptop - all in all a great thing to do

Cat

 

I just use the small blue LCD cleaning cloth that came with the G1; I find it grabs the dust very well. And wow, 3 months is a long time to endure without cleaning the screen; I clean it at least once a week, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week.

 

any suggestions for cleaning a white keyboard?

 

Hmm.. I clean the screen almost daily.. I cant stand any dust/prints marring the beauty of my screen, besides the fact that they are extremely irritating during movies/games. Used to be scared that I'd be scratching the screen, but that doesn't seem to happen.

 

Yeah, same here... I clean my G1 (specially the screen) with the included lint-free cleaning cloth. No scratches, no dust...

I'll keep a eye on the vents tho...

 

Believe it or not, but I clean my screen with plain old Windex too. I have not seen any degradation of the screen and it cleans beautifully! I know some of you are concerned, but I've not noticed anything different about my screen, except that it's nice and clean!

 

yeah, as long as your windex doesn't contain ammonia/ammonium in it. That stuff, IIRC, will rub off something from your screens

 

you should get a small lil utlity called SpeedFan 4.32

It will monitor you core and CPU temp, voltages and fan speeds. It will even test you HDs values
Its a must have for any laptop.
Its freeware so google it