6200---Way too much heat---Shuts it down(?)---Killed mem!

I am trying to fault isolate why a friend's averatec 6200 reboots constantly.

MemTest86+ showed a faulty SO-DIMM. When boot now using Ultimate Boot CD for Win (the "other" generation of the Ultimate Boot CD), a great utility by the way, it will run ok, give me full access to the HD, but shut off unexpectedly.

During this time the fan seems to increase in speed, the laptop gets incredibly hot on the right hand side, and then shuts down.

1. Is running this thing with only a single SO-DIMM a valid way of using this machine, or does it somehow *require* two?

2. Is it likely that this heat is endemic to Averatec's and not really a problem? The heat is so high that I can barely touch the case on the right had exhaust port!

 

Sounds as if either the processor or GPU is overheating (or possibly the hard drive too). As you sure that nothing is blocking the exhaust vents coming out of the laptop? Try using it in a cooler room and see what happens.

 

Hop over to the new NBR Cooling Central and have a read.

Let me give you my famous Copy-Paste
__________________________________________

If you are overheating... usually any temp over 90C degrees is bad.

when was the last time that you cleaned out the fans and vents thoroughly...?

if never, then thats why.

1) remove battery
2) remove/unscrew the panels on the bottom of the notebook to get to fans and vents (if possible)
3) use flashlight to look through vents for the dust (if you cant see the light on the other end, then the vents are clogged up)
4) go outside, get some compressed air (cans or compressor @ 50 PSI) and give the vents a good airing out all directions ( concentrating on the vents)
.... you might want to brace the fan blade(s) when airing it out (with a toothpick or paperclip to prevent it from spinning out too much)
.... or use short bursts (1-2 secs) of air instead of bracing the fans.
5) go get some Q-tips and swab the fan blades and the area around it
6) then go do a second airing with compressed air (all directions again focusing on the fans and vents) to push out the dust that was dislodged from the Q-tips

7*) Now go use the flashlight again and look through the vents (shine the flashlight from the fan, you look through the other end) for anymore dust clogs.

8) Then start up the notebook... and let the fans cycle up (use the Fan Toggle at max speed if your system has it) to push out any other dust that might have been stuck.

If all goes well you should be able to close up the notebook and...

you're done.

*repeat this step until its cleaned out.

Thats pretty much it.

Just make sure to do this every two-three months... it should take about 15-20min per cleaning if you want to be thorough.

________________________

Gaming notebooks are a new thing, you must realize that you have to take some extra care of them over typical use notebooks:

1) Battery: to maintain the longevity of any rechargeable battery
- you must NEVER overcharge it [especially for long durations of time] by keeping it plugged into AC
- when it reaches 100% you should unplug it and let it discharge to 5-15%, then plug it back to power
- OR you can just charge it to 50%+ and remove the battery and store in cool place.. not the fridge [remember to use it occasionally 3-4 time a year to charge and discharge it].

2.) Heat: to prevent a healthy notebook from overheating
- ALWAYS use the notebook on a clean, hard & flat surface
- RECOMMENDED to be used on a notebook cooler... namely the Zalman ZM-NC1000 or ZM-NC2000
- check your fans underneath occasionally (at least once a month or two) for any dust clogs [clean them out with Q-tips and air cans/compressors]
- ALWAYS monitor the temps (CPU, GPU, HDD, etc..) to watch for fluctuations, which would indicate overheating by dust usually
(for Clevo notebooks) use the Fan Toggle to switch all fans to Max Speed when gaming and such.

By doing these simple things, your entire system will easily last for more than 3 years.

 

Ahhhhhhh..... beautiful! That seems to have solved the problem fairly well! THANKS!!!

Now 2 more questions:

---1---
During my opening of the thing I accidentally knocked off one of the rubber standoffs that sits on the components helping to push away the bottom panel if pressed on. BUT this one was gray long and thin (maybe 2 1/2" long x 1/4" wide by 1/16th" thick) and looked like it covered the fins directly next to the fan.

Did this thing serve dual duty: a standoff AND an air dam so that there wouldn't be any air leaking upward from the fins unnecessarily? I'm afraid to apply any sealer to this thing and put it back, because I don't know how anything I put on it would behave there over time. So I'm running with it removed.

---2---
Is running this thing with only one SO-DIMM installed a supported configuration?

Thanks!

 

if the system seems to function fine, then that gray thing might not matter, just hang on to it.

as for memory, yes, notebooks can run on a single stick fine.