Strange 7510GX Problem. Please Help

Ok, I've had my 7510GX for 14 months now with no problems whatsoever. Well just last night, I was checking my email when it suddenly turned off without warning. So I turned it back on, it booted, but once it got to the desktop and started loading the usual startup processes, it shut down once again. Today (as I type) I have booted it without plugging it in, and it seems to be running fine, except it feels a bit warmer than usual (especially for running on battery) and the CPU fan isn't coming on at all (the GPU fan comes on every couple minutes).

Now, I'm a veteran of the eMachines M5312 Overheat camp (mine was put out to pasture after the mobo's CPU heat sensor crapped out), so that was my first thought. However, I've never heard of this happening in any notebook using this chassis. Basically, I'm wondering if anyone else here has had any similar problems on a notebook built on this chassis, and if there's a chance my main fan could be toast. I'm also wondering if anyone has any links to step-by-step instructions for taking it apart down to the fans for some deep cleaning.

For some background, I use this thing pretty hard for 3D animation and motion graphics/compositing, and it's always been a tank. I do keep it elevated while I work though. I have a two-year replacement warranty, and I'm wondering if I should just ship it off and get a new one, or if I should bother taking it apart and checking it out.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies

 

i've had my 7510gx now for almost 20 months (purchased begin of Aug 2005) and i haven't ran into a single problem yet. I play a lot of graphics intensive games on it, like BF2 and such, and other than getting pretty warm after about 20 minutes it runs like a champ. (my power brick normally gets hotter than the bottom chassis).

If you have the time, I would probably do a fresh install of windows to see if there maybe a driver conflict of some sort. The I doubt thats the cause, but the fact that you can run it fine off of battery suggests that it maybe something of that nature. If that doesn't work send it in for repair. if you have the warranty on it i defiantly would not go and take the thing apart and risk voiding it.

ps I thought for the longest time that the GPU was a solid state cooler, never realized it was active. how can you tell the difference between which fan is running?

 

Well, there's the two fan vents on the back side: the one on the left (opposite the power supply connection) is the main fan vent, and the smaller one in the center is for the GPU. Once one of the fans comes on, you can just hold your hand in front of the vents to see which one is working.

Ok, anyway, after a while, the CPU fan did come on (I ended up plugging the computer back in) but after an hour or so of web browsing, etc, it suddenly shut off again. I have a feeling it's overheating, possibly from excessive dust, and I'm curious how hard it is to open these notebooks up.

As for my actual software, I'm very picky and prefer ultra-low usage from my OS. I do a clean format once every couple months or so, and I have it pared down so there are never more than 30 processes running when my comp is at idle (including AV, etc.) so I can pretty much guarantee that the software end isn't causing a problem.

 

they r not so hard to open up
http://emachines.fizi.ca/guides.php

u might just want to apply some vacuuming on the fan outlets and spray some canned.air first and see

cheers ...