T-1628: Shuts down when tilted

I just purchased this notebook about 2 weeks ago. It works fine when it is set flat on top of a desk. When it is verticle or at a 45degree angle, the fan gets very loud and it automatically shuts off shortly after. This has happened within minutes of startup after several hours of not being in use. So it is not overheating. It seems like the notebook thinks it is overheating when tilted and reacts accordingly. Is there any easy way to fix this or do I need to return it?

 

That sounds VERY bad. Exchange it.

 

Sounds like two things:
-Off-balance fan.
-Loose or slightly shorted power connection somewhere.

Probably best to exchange it though.

 

if u search the forums that is an issue with the T-16XX build. just dont set the laptop to 45degrees

 

Rusty, I have the same problem with the same model T-1628. Running Core Temp, I found that the core temperature very quickly rises to 100 degrees C if the keyboard is vertical with usage around 0%, and then the computer immediately shuts off power to protect itself. That sounds exactly like your problem. When I hold the keyboard at a 45 degree angle, then it only reaches that temperature when running the CPU around 100% (so it took a while to figure out what was happening). This is with open air on the back and nothing touching any of the vents.

It is ironic that in researching overheating problems a lot of sites recommend using stands that tilt the keyboard to get more air under it (because in this case, that would make it overheat worse).

The question remaining is whether this is acceptable or not. Does Gateway owe us a refund, or would a replacement be more appropriate. Theory, the known battery short problem is exacerbated by a vertical keyboard angle (like that's when the short happens).

 

You have the highest rep rating of the people who responded, and you recommended simply avoiding holding the laptop at 45 degrees.

Running Core Temp, I can see that the temperature immediately rises more the more I tilt the computer, and when the keyboard is vertical the core temp immediately rises to 100 degrees C and the power shuts off.

I worry that we have found a defect but that simply avoiding 45 degrees is not a full solution (suppose it gets worse, or happens under some other conditions).

As a consumer, it took me around 40 hours work to find this information (including your recommendation). My question now is, is the line defective, or is the computer defective. That is, should we ask Gateway for a refund or a replacement with a working one (or are you perhaps saying that it is a feature rather than a defect?)

 

Its whats on the inside that counts

 

return that as quick as you can, there is something wrong internally like a loose board, wire, or the processor or HDD are malfunctioning.

You have obviously done nothing to it, so I say return it.

 

Highest rep count only because he's got the highest number of posts. Rep doesn't quite work that way. Look at the boxes beside the Rep points.

From his wording, I suspect that it's a common issue for the T16XX models. In that case, I would suggest either contacting Gateway for a replacement (which may be pointless as other T16XX models may also experience the same) or doing what lokster suggested. You could ask for a M model in replacement instead, not sure how that would go down though.

Not exactly helpful I know, but that's about as much as you can do since it might be a line defect.

 

Best Buy won't do anything because 14 days have passed. I emailed Gateway and they said there is not an issue with the t-16xx system model.

If this problem has been discussed before can someone help me out with a link or what keywords to search for? (I couldn't find anything when I tried)

Also can anyone inform me of what to expect if I send it in to Gateway? Do I pay shipping? How long will I have to wait?

Thanks for the help

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=184524

Only thread I found. Rather long and information is mentioned throughout the thread.

 

I took my Sony back and just picked a 1631(Same as 1628) up tonight and so far so good. I have tilted it in every direction possible and no shutdown...yet.


EDIT: Mine just shut down! I was laying on my back with the laptop on my legs installing Office 2K7 and *boom* it shutoff. Once I rebooted and held it flat, all was well. There's definitely something up with the heatsink on this model. Its idling at 48C and when tilted starts to climb almost exponentially. I've been doing some experimentation and found that if I push on the silver panel right below the media arrow key temps start to drop. This heatsink is not affixed properly.

EDIT AGAIN: I *think* I may have figured out how to fix the issue. The screws on the heatsink are not very tight. I tightened them down more, then put some more material between the back plate and the little silver pad to put more pressure on the CPU (within reason, don't wanna break the core or mobo). So far, I have it at about 60 degree angle and at 100% CPU usage the temp is staying in the upper 60s. Its idling at about 44. Time will tell if this is a fix or not. We honestly shouldn't have to rig it, this is definitely a quality issue and Gateway should fix it, but I doubt thats gonna happen anytime soon.

UPDATE: NOT A TOTAL FIX. After a reboot, a 70degree angle and a superpi run, temps climbed up to 95c where the processor started throttling to 800mhz in an attempt to cool itself. My so-called "fix" does seem to help at angles around 30-40 degrees and below though. Weirdly, after its extreme fever from the test earlier, Ive got it at about a 30degree angle and its idling at 37C. Tomorrow, I'm gonna look around locally for some better thermal compound, such as AS5 and see if this helps. I'm determined to find a fix, as this makes absolutely NO sense. I've had and used MANY notebooks with Turion processors all the way up to the TL-64 and never had this kind of issue. They tend to run a bit hot, but Jesus......

UPDATE 2: STILL NO FIX: AS5 applied and it slowed the heatup a bit(ie didn't get to a million degrees as fast), but in the end the same thing happened. It got to 93C and the processor started throttling back to 800mhz. I'm spent. It seems there's a defect in the heatpipe and it cannot handle the amount of heat coming off the processor. I don't think there's anything that can be done to fix it, short of nagging Gateway, which probably won't accomplish anything. This REALLY sucks cause this is an awesome laptop otherwise. I just spend a lot of time on the laptop from my bed and they way I lay usually keeps the laptop at a less than ideal angle. I'm debating on keeping it, however, as when the processor isnt being used too much, temps stay within reason at funky angles. This is just really weird as I can pretty much use my 6860 upside down for hours at a time with no issue.

 

lol about my rep, when people appreciated my help they gave me rep, simple.
doesn't have to do with my number of posts or anything

about the laptop being tilted 45degrees and overheating and shutting off, its a laptop build thing, oh and windows XP wont fully work on it. it wasn't meant to be tilted at a 45 degree angle

seriously if u like keeping your laptop tilted at 45 degree angle or more then by all means get another laptop model.

this laptop i like just coz its light looks good and does the job, i dont keep it a a 45 degree angle and uh works awesome. its been hmm 9 months already

 

A laptop should maintain its temperature no matter WHAT angle its in. You argument that its not "meant to be tilted at a 45 degree angle" is totally incorrect and quite humorous. Especially considering every single one of my other laptops have never had this problem, including the 6860. Have you never had your laptop powered on, closed and carrying it around? What angle do you think its in then!? Would you consider an abrupt power-down acceptable in this scenario?

Not tilting the laptop 45 degrees is most certainly NOT a fix. There's a build problem with the t-series plain and simple. As much as I LOVE this little laptop, its most likely going back tomorrow. It does me no good to have a laptop hitting 100C and throttling/shutting down when its barely even at an angle. People are calling you out not to flame you, but because your "fix" is silly and argumentative.

 

WOW guys just joined the forum after reading this post...Sad to say but I have the same problem...Please give us a update as to what Gateway is doing about this. Love this notebook but not liking this problem

Any way Gateway gives us a T-6836 as a replacement

 

when its closed and carrying around its at a 90degree angle.

lol ive just said that its the build thats the problem xD

uh as for the not meant to be i couldnt phrase it any other way so sorry if its not to your liking.

congrats on a new notebook

 

Is anyone having problems staying connected to the internet? It seems like I can't keep a wirless connection for more then 2 hours before it gets lost and I have to wait for it to pick it up again. (Brand new modem, and I dont think its the router)

 

I heard by uninstalling and reinstalling the wireless card will fix this problem.

 

I am praying to god someone has a real answer to this issue. I have the p-6860FX and it has been doing the same exact thing (shutting down/rebooting without any type of warning) and it is really getting to me. I have contacted Gateway on this matter and they set me up for a repair. Well now it's months later, I'm still having the same problem, and (yeah this is sad) now I am sending it in for the (ready for this one) 4th time. I have argued with them for literally hours on the phone, and they won't replace it. The real sad part is that it was brand new (16 days no return policy to "BEST BUY" lol). I am at witts end, and have no hair left to pull out over this matter. PLEASE HELP

 

If it's been sent in 4 times, aren't you good for a replacement under the lemon law?

 

There is no computer lemon law. If you buy the Gateway black tie warruntee, there is a lemon clause.

Wasted, are you seeing this problem on a flat surface or tilted past 45 degrees? Are the vents on the bottom or on the back/side blocked? Is there any dust in the vents? Have you used a utility like CPUID's HWMonitor to see if CPU, GPU or other temps are the issue?

 

I've always had the vents open and clear of any dust, and use it level and tilted. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with angle. It does seem to react more when any type of streaming, or video etclately. Previously it didn't have any prefrence when it would restart now it seems to react when theres a lot going on on a page/website. The fans kick on every now and then, but it appears to be normal operation. I figured tech support would be able to solve this problem. They don't seem to take the time to look deep into what is going on. They just restore factory OS and other software and turn it on and let it sit idle. Then after a short time they assume it's ok and send it back. I've sent notes in to them, but they don't read them (say's Customer Service). They only go by what the person who handled my call puts into the "report", but thats BS also. They didn't even check the obvious posibilities. What they sent back to me (on paper) w/laptop show very little intrest in attempting to resolve the issue. 2 times Soft OS install, and 1 HD replacement and Soft OS install. If they read what I sent in w/laptop they would have figured it out the first time, or sent me a new replacement. I'm saying all this to see if anyone else (reading this) has dealt with the same disregard to customer care. Anyway...thanks for any help.