V2630US Overheating problem, HELP!!!

Hey all, my first post here

My Girlfriend just picked up a new Compaq V2630US from Office Depot this sunday for a smacking $549 after rebates. It seems to be a really great machine, and after a $35 ram upgragde (swapped a 256 stick for 512), i've gotten it running City of Heroes smoothly (with some tweaking). I don't have the graphics cranked down, just low enough for it to run, but it seems to have an overheating problem. Twice it has happened now, where she's played the game for a half hour or so, and then the computer shuts off. There is no warning or anything, just a complete system shut off, not even shut down. Its llike the power is cut. The notebook feels really warm in the back left corner, so I figure its just stressing the cpu and gpu a bit, and its turning off for safety. I figured I'd build her a good cpu cooler to create an air column over the heatsink, but should it be overheating at this point? I'm worried she got a dud, help please!



P.S. I might mention its reading around 55C idle temp for the cpu

 

Do you hear the fans kicking on?

 

Fan is definitely working

 

Do not put the laptop on soft surfaces, this is the most common reason for overheating. You can help the airflow by raising the back of the laptop (I used to have two toothbrushe stands under each corner until I got my cooler).
What CPU do you have? I suggest you undervolt if you have Turion or Pentium M. Undervolting helps a lot with the heat, especially when the processor works at the maximum of its capabilities. Search the undervolting thread here, it is for L2000 which is exactly the same laptop.

 

Hi Mr PotsandPans,
Does it shut off at 30 minutes every time? If it does then look at your power settings and your sleep standby settings. My 5030 did the same thing you are describing when I fisrt got it. I looked at the settings and it turns out that it was going into standby.
Just a thought, also the left rear corner does get warm since that is where the CPU outlet duct is. Also if you are sure it is an overheating problem make sure you are keeping the vent openings clear.
Either way hope this helps.

 

The CPU is an AMD Turion ML-34. We did have the thing propped up on cd cases, all vents were well exposed. Is the fan on this an exhaust fan or intake fan? I plan on building a cooler, and was going to have a fan blow air into the vents in the back and help suck it down from the fan underneath. It just doesnt seem like this should be happening to a brand new laptop. I figure we might just go back to office depot and exchange it for a new one. Doesn't undervolting blow the warranty? Thanks all

 

Thought I also might note that I installed the ATI Catlyst 6.4 drivers for the Radeon Xpress 200m, is it possible these are the culprit? I couldn't find any other drivers that would work, and compaq didn't have any help on their site.

 

Hi MrPotsandPans,
No the Catalyst drivers shouldn't make any difference. Did you check the suspend, sleep mode time outs? I believe the fan is an exhaust fan. The Turion gets warm in that area. It doesn't get hot but defietely warm.

 

sleep or suspend do not sound like plausible causes. Run MobileMeter to check the temperature of the CPU and HDD while playing. The Turion will operate until 95*C but the HDD may only stand upto 60*C. My hard drive turns off at 56*C.
What is the ambient temperature? This has huge influence on the temp of the laptop.

No, undervolting does not void the warranty. You cannot do any harm to the CPU and the worst that may happen is to get a blue screen or to experience some hanging while establishing the correct voltages. Restarting the computer undoes the problem.

 

So we just tried something. She unplugged the laptop, since the plug is right by the heatsink, and it lasted just fine for over an hour till the battery died. What is up with this? I dont know if this is normal or not, but i'd hate to think its not. Thanks!!

 

Is your power scheme set to "home/office desk" instead of "portable/laptop"?