XPS M1710 fan problems

Hi I've been trawling the internet looking for some help and you guys seemed like the best place to find it.
Basically I bought a Dell XPS M1710 laptop the other day, and when I'm using it, randomly the fan seems to start up full blast, making the laptop really sluggish and almost non-operational. I'm doing nothing in particular when the fan comes on, mainly just on the net, or desktop, no high spec games or anything like that. The fan doesn't turn off either until the whole system is shut down. The laptop is basically new, so I don't think it needs cleaning or anything.

In terms of spec its got 3.25 Gb ram, 250gb hd, nvidia geforce 7950 gtx.

When the fans not messing about it seems to run really well.

Your help is really appreciated. Is there anything I can do short of sending it back?

Thanks

 

First off, you need to figure out the temps the fan is kicking on at... I suggest you download HWMonitor ( HERE).

Run HWMonitor and let it run. It will monitor your Graphics Card (GPU) and CPU temps. Let it run while you do your normal thing (email, internet, etc.). When the fans kick in, take a peek at the temp. HWMonitor will keep a running tab on your Current, Min and Max temps.

Also, you didn't mention the CPU in your specs. If this is a 2.8Ghz Extreme and capable of Overclocking via the BIOS, be sure that it is not overclocked. If it is set @ 3Ghz or up, the fans will most likely be on all the time. Of course this would'nt account for the slow feel of the laptop but it would explain the fan noise.

Finally, did you purchase this from the Dell Outlet? If so, why not give support a call and see if they can send out a tech?

 

Thanks for your help. My CPU is the T7400 running at 2.16 ghz...how do I check its not overclocking easily then?
Also I got the laptop from a company called NDC, a dell affiliate, and I've notified them...

Thanks again

 

Nevermind on the overclock. If you had a T7600G then it would be capable of this. None of the other CPUs for the m1710 were capable of overclocking. Hope it works out...

 

Fans are probably clogged.

I wouldnt say its basically new. The m1710 is a phased out model.

 

Oh and you might want to insert a small paper clip into the fan grille so the fan doesn't spin when you nuke it with compressed air. There is debate if this can damage the fan. Better to be safe though - that compressed air blast can spin that fan much faster than it spins under power...