m1330 need help with southbridge (under touchpad) overheating

I noticed that, even when I'm just idling on my computer, the component directly below the touchpad is very hot. It's the hottest part by far on the underside of my computer, and the heat is making using the touchpad very uncomfortable. Has anyone else experienced this, and would there be a specific reason why this region is always the hottest?

My computer is only a few weeks old and I didn't notice it until about 2 weeks after. The only thing I can think of that would affect it are the various vista tweakz i did (disabling various things) that might tax the southbridge more?

 

That is probably the wireless card if it is the same as the XPS 1530 that I am using. Yeah, it's hot because the vent is usually covered up when you are using it.

If you set the laptop on the edge of the table with the vent cover hanging out in the open... let it sit for a while... you'll probably notice that the heat will dissipate shortly afterwards. I guess the card just gets hot and that's why there is a vent there, but I would think not many folks prop up their laptop from the front, right?

 

yeah mine gets hot... i've had the panel off on the bottom while using the laptop and that wireless card gets HOT! i mean like BIG TIME hot... Its a wonder the damn thing still works when it gets so hot. It is apparently not uncommon for wireless cards to get hot cause i've felt them in a few other laptops being the same way..

 

Yeah, like routers... they get really warm too.

 

So it's the wireless card? Is there anything you can do to help cool it? What's weird is that I definitely did not notice it at all the first 2 weeks or so until one day the touchpad became so hot I had to shut down the computer to cool it because it was burning my fingers, so that's why I think maybe one of the tweakz I did somehow diverted a lot of the cpu usage to that part and that's why it's so much hotter than everything else.

 

Which card did you get in your PC specifically, Equiether? I'm simply curious.

Steve

 

The Intel one.

 

The Intel N one? Great, that's what I got also...

 

yep Intel N is what i have... i have seen a broadcom and an Intel 3495 card all get extremely hot after use.

 

Took out my wireless card and the touchpad still gets hot so pretty sure it's the southbridge.

 

Does it still get extremely hot under the laptop after you remove the wireless card?

 

Less so, but it's still hot.

 

So is it the southbridge or the wireless directly under the touchpad? I'm still getting heat issues with the touchpad and it's starting to become really bothersome.

 

It goes:

Touchpad
mobo
southbridge
metal plate
wireless card
wirelecc cover

 

The wireless card always gets warm.

Its summer so the temperatures are higher, and as you ll appreciate the area you re talking about is the thinnest part of the wedge shape so yes it would get warm... you didnt expect it to be like an ice cold beer did you ? lol

Unless its really serious then it is no case for concern. You might want to consider getting a notebook cooler if you find that its uncomfortable.

 

I have an M1530 and have similar issues with heat near the hand rests. It's strongest a little to the left of the touchpad. It has never gotten hot enough that I can't touch it though, thank god. If you're determined to keep the computer on your lap (which is completely understandable since it's a LAPTOP) and not on a table I would consider turning the wireless utility off via the switch on the side of the computer - if you don't need wireless service. I do a lot of work that is non-internet demanding, so this option is nice to cool down the hand rests a little. It definitely makes a difference.

Good luck!

 

1. Try cleaning the dust in the fan unit.
2. Change the mobo

Mine got much cooler after these two steps.

 

Dell actually market them as 'notebooks' now, and not laptops. Since the systems these days are getting more and more powerful, they naturally let off more and more heat. Naming the system a 'laptop' makes people assume that it can be placed on your lap and used freely, when that is no longer the case. Hence they are now called 'notebooks'.

I do sometimes use mine on my lap, and I tend to get an A4 folder, or something solid, and place that on my lap, before placing the notebook on top. Hence the system has a bit of space under it for ventilation.

I also have the 9 cell, so the back is raised a little more, but I also still notice the front middle of the unit get very hot. Not enough to make me stop using it though, but very warm indeed. I always thought it was the wireless card......

 

What is the mobo?