Pavilion dv25XX overheating

Hello forum,

Recently, my g/f's HP pavilion dv2500 has really been overheating. It's about a year and a half old and it's kept in relatively good condition. It is off warranty.

Over the past week the temps are really high. The air blowing out the side is hot to the touch. I'm not sure the temps, but they have to be high. The plastic covering over the power button on the left side is hot to the touch.

I'm tech savvy, but not an expert. I did research on this model and there are overheating issues. Would I have to reapply thermal paste or order a new fan? I've taken apart notebooks before, but never because of a problem like this.

Any suggestions would be welcome. I really don't want to take the notebook to a retail repair place.

Thanks,

JD

 

If you would kindly install Hwmonitor and post the temps for us...
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

Some maintenance you can do:
- clean it out with a can of compressed air and a vacuum cleaner
- ensure Vista power management profile is not set to performance
- ensure fan is operating
- ensure fan vent is unobstructed and that the laptop is on a flat solid surface
- ensure the computer BIOS is up-to-date

 

The most common reason for HP notebooks (and other notebooks I might add) to overheat is that they need to be cleaned. 12-18 months is the most common timeframe for them to start overheating due to dust and dirt buildup inside the system, which is why you should clean it at least once every 6-12 months. It doesn't make any difference how clean your area is, or how clean you THINK it is. Even though an area might be clean enough, our clothes and bodies produce enough dust, lint, hair and skin particles that over enough time it will get into a system and clog it enough to overheat. That doesn't take into account stuff from furniture, pets, kids, etc.

The first indication your system is getting dirty inside are the fans - fans will start running constantly as the intake/exhaust vents and fan blades get dirty. Also, dust will get into the fan bearings and wear them out faster.

HP has a procedure for this problem posted on all of its notebook support pages. Usually all you need to do is blow out the intakes on the bottom and sides, and the exhausts on the back. Do it in an area where dust can blow away or where you might have an air cleaner going. DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner on a computer - laminar airflow at the nozzle of non-ESD rated vacuums can cause enough static buildup to fry most system components. You can use one if you hold the nozzle several inches from where you're blowing out the vents so it can suck in any dislodged dust; but don't use it directly in contact with the exterior or interior of the system.

For compressed air cans, I always have 2 or 3 cans present when doing maintenance cleaning (I do mine every 6 months regardless), as each can's airflow reduces as the propellant liquefies inside the can during use. Otherwise you have to wait until that can's usable again.

If the system in question is really having serious overheating issues (blowing out the intakes and exhausts don't help), then removal of the system's top cover is usually required to get at the fans and filters. Most Pavilion top covers are pretty easy to remove, and that's all that is usually required to get at the filters, fans and vents.

Here are links to the various HP Support Documents on Overheating and Cleaning:

Cleaning your Notebook PC

Reducing Heat and Fan Noise by Cleaning Air Vents

Fan Runs Constantly, the PC Operates Slower than Expected and Generates Heat

Alternatively, you can also use HP's Services Media Library to view video demonstrations on how to open up your system, perform diagnostics, and setup components, etc. The FRU selection (Field Replacement Unit) shows you step by step how to replace any component replaceable by the user.

HP Pavilion Dv2500 Series Notebook - Top Cover Removal Video and Instructions

Once the SML page for the 2500 opens up, click on the "Top Cover" link on the left side for a video demo and text instuctions on how to remove the top cover for a more detailed cleaning of the system.

Note: Removal of the Heat Sink and Fan Assembly on an HP 2500 notebook requires a lot more disassembly than just the top cover. To see what I mean, click on the Heat Sink/Fan Assembly link in the FRU section of the SML for your system.

Dv2500 System Manual

Since you didn't list your Product # or exact model series here, I couldn't look up the specific manual for your particular system configuration. You can do that yourself though - get the Product # from the label under the system, usually on the right side. It will end with a #ABA, ABU, or something similar. It may not have anything but just a series of letters and numbers. Go to this link at HP and enter it in the field: HP Support & Drivers

Check "See support and troubleshooting information" and then click on the double arrow to the right. That will take you to the specific support page for your model configuration. Once there, click on Product Information, and then Manuals. The link to the PDF Service and Maintenance manual will be there.

 

Hi there,
I my laptop is very hot too. i did the Hwmonitor and this is my result:

Monitoring
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mainboard Model 30CE (0x000000EB - 0x00002348)

LPCIO
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardware Monitors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hardware monitor ACPI
Temperature 0 72°C (161°F) [0xD7C] (TZS0)
Temperature 1 78°C (172°F) [0xDB8] (TZS1)

Hardware monitor Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T7250
Temperature 0 74°C (165°F) [0x1A] (Core #0)
Temperature 1 74°C (165°F) [0x1A] (Core #1)

Hardware monitor NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Temperature 0 87°C (188°F) (GPU Core)

Hardware monitor ST916082 7AS
Temperature 0 65°C (148°F) [0x41] (Assembly)
Temperature 2 65°C (148°F) [0x41] (Air Flow)

Hardware monitor Battery 1
Voltage 0 12.45 Volts [0x30A5] (Current Voltage)
Capacity 0 47520 mWh [0xB9A0] (Designed Capacity)
Capacity 1 41353 mWh [0xA189] (Full Charge Capacity)
Capacity 2 41353 mWh [0xA189] (Current Capacity)
Level 0 13 pc [0x57] (Wear Level)
Level 1 100 pc [0x64] (Charge Level)

Does this look normal? Thank you.

 

Mid 60s would be okay for GPU and CPU, but if those are idle temps (ie light load such as web browsing), they are VERY high. Your laptop needs a good cleaning, and while you're at it do the copper shim mod for the video chip, it'll make it run a lot cooler and greatly decrease the risk of it failing. The 8400M and 8600M are known bad chips and they will fail at one point or another.