Gateway ML3109 - Where's the fan?!?

Recently I was having overheating issues with my Gateway ML3109 laptop. After running for a few minutes, it would get very hot, and would shut down. I thought there might be something wrong with the cooling fan, so I decided to have a look at the cooling fan and clean the fan/heatsink. But to my utter disappointment, there was no way I could get to it!! There was no cover on the back that I could unscrew to access the fan. I also opened the keyboard pad but the cooling fan wasn't there either! I then tried opening the back of the laptop, but it wouldn't come off! I unscrewed all the screws that were visible (15 in total) took the harddisk (and the battery, in the very beginning) off, and dettached two hooks (behind where the battery is). But the cover did not come out!!!

Can anyone tell me how I can access the cooling fan and/or heatsink in my Gateway ML3109 latop, to clean them?

Thanks in advance.

 

Before you go about disassembling the entire notebook... have you tried canned air? Its usually alot simpler solution than trying to take the computer apart (and alot less dangerous).

 

Thanks Kamin... I did try sucking the dirt out with a vaccuum, do you think compressed air would do a better job?

 

Try compressed air it will typically do alot better than a vaccum. Also you have less chance of building static... vaccums have a tendency to create static in the air that can damage electronics.

Its not likely unless your using a house hold or shop vac, but its a possibility that i wouldnt want to have happen.

 

Okay, so I have the same problem with the Gateway ML3109... tried compressed air, and it still shuts down constantly. also I have the laptop on a chill pad but that only helps for about 5 minutes. I just want to take the computer apart, but cant seem to figure out what to do to get to the fan!! directions to getting to the heat sink/ fan would be the best of help.

Thanks!