Vostro 1400 Getting HOT!

I've had my Vostro 1400 since launch, and I've noticed that of late it has been operating MUCH hotter than it used to... The vents and fans are free of dust, and the Geforce 8400 hasn't been overclocked. It now gets as hot while browsing the web as it used to when it was overclocked to play games! (Too hot to keep on a bare lap)

Any ideas? I've taken a photo to illustrate the hot spots on it (Although the vent on the side and the hardisk are quite warm, only these two spots get HOT.

 

If you don't mind the sound download I8kfanGUI and set fan speed to maximum. Mine is running at 30-35C and ice cold on my lap. My 1520 looks nearly identical on the bottom.

 

Are you sure you are not covering the vents when keeping it on your lap ? Is it same even when keep it on a table?

 

Is that actually safe?? I mean, i feel pushing the fans to the maximum constantly will wear them down very quickly... won't it?

 

If you're like me and only use the option when you have the laptop on your lap then you should be fine. Most of the time my laptop is on a desk in which case I don't worry as much about the temp. If You want to have the best of both worlds keep fan on when its on your lap and buy a notebook cooler for when its on the desk.

 

Hmmmm. That central spot is slightly warm on my Vostro 1400, but by no means hot. The other spot is not even warm. Maybe you need to open up your laptop and clean stuff out a bit?

@PhoenixFx

The main vent is on the side - it isn't blocked by laps

 

The vent from which hot air leaves is the one on the side. There is one that's over your left leg's lap that intakes air and is always blocked.

 

The most important (intake) vent is on the bottom [left to the lower Hot here text on OP's picture], which can be easily blocked when using it on a lap.

 

Also remember ambient temperature has a direct impact on the running temperature of a laptop.