M1530 Overheating - please give advice

Hi guys,

It's the weekend and thus I can't call Dell tech support yet, but I thought i'd run this problem by you guys.

A few days ago my computer started overheating for no particular reason, with the main heat being in the bottom left (left of the touchpad) of the computer, with the bottom of the laptop scorching hot. The outtake fan was blowing very hot air.

I don't play games, and all I do is browse the web and use office documents these days, with the odd intensive defrag or photoshop/web development work.

Earlier today I had my GPU temp go to 97C, core temp 67 and Core0 74 Core1 74, with GPU temp idling at 73C. While I don't know what these mean as I have no experience or context, the program SpeedFan which monitors temperatures puts a scorching flame next to all of these temperatures, with a green tick next to the Hard Drive's comparatively cool 45C.

Is this normal? It's bizarre to me, and this doesn't happen often. The last two days I've had the computer propped off the table by using 4 water bottle lids in each corner of the laptop to get some air circulation going, but that didn't work. I think the fan is working because I can hear it whirring.

I'll call Dell to see if this is a problem, but I really don't want to have my computer sent off so if people have experience with this issue or have a resolution (or troubleshooting guide) please answer.

Specs:
Vista Home Premium
M1530
PHOENIX ROM BIOS PLUS VERSION V1.10 A08
INTEL CORE 2 DUO CPU T8300 @ 2.40GHz
2046MB Ram
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT

More info about video:

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600M GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 1010 MB
Dedicated Memory: 243 MB
Shared Memory: 767 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7644 (English)
DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/3/2008 22:54:00, 5898240 bytes

Direct X 10

If u need any details just hola.

 

Hi,
you say started overheating for no reason, do you know the rough temps from before the problem started and what did you use to monitor them?
Try HW Monitor, perhaps post the results.

If you've had the lappy some months and it has suddenly developed this fault then it sounds like the infamous Nvidia GPU overheating issue.
You will need to call dell for a replacement mother board as the GPU is soldered to it and has to be replaced as a whole unit.

dell has extended the warranty to two years specifically for this issue.

Good luck
MM.

 

You also have a very old BIOS-A8, try the latest from dell-A12 see below:

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R204482&SystemID=XPS_M1530&servicetag=&os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=14338&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=5&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=1&fileid=285129

Also update your graphics driver to the latest dell release from the same dell downloads section (this is the UK site) then monitor your temps with HW Monitor while running something graphically intensive and post back here.

 

Unfortunately no stats from before, but I have upgraded the bios and graphics drivers to the new versions on the dell website and no significant changes in temperature. CPU idling at 50C, GPU 60-75C, and Temp1 (not sure what that is 65C - all just web browsing. I don't have anything graphic intensive installed, but since the idling temps havn't changed I doubt we would see any movement there either.

I'll give Dell a call tomorrow.

 

Woodsier,
what is the ambient room temp where you are now?
To be honest, my GPU temp only gets to mid seventies while gaming and is always between 55 and 65 while surfing etc.

Are your fans definitely working?

One last thing, check there is no dust or fluff blocking the intake or exhaust vents.