Laptop overheating like crazy...

Hi. I really need some help on deciding what to do with my Toshiba Equium L20. Starting with the history, my dad bought this off of someone a couple years ago and about 2-3 months I was given it as he decided to go with a netbook for simple tasks.

Anyway, the battery no longer holds charge so I have to keep it plugged in all the time. If I disconnect it, the laptop turns off immediately. It never overheated like this before, but gradually it seems to have gotten worse. My fingers literally feel a burning sensation if I keep them on the touchpad for longer then 3 seconds. The case is pretty warm, as is the keyboard, and the fan is loud. It kicks in if I visit a website in Firefox, switch windows or when watching youtube. I have it propped up where the fan is too with no luck. If I turn off the wireless card (presumed to be at the front near the wireless switch), the touchpad isn't nearly as hot but still pretty warm. I've also got all the correct drivers installed and have reformated my drive many times (also looks like its dieing), and still have no luck.

So i'm wondering if someone can tell me how to clean out a notebook. I don't think it has ever been cleaned internally over the past 2 years as I think dirt and grime may have clogged up a few things. The only thing i'm worried about is it not starting up again as I tried cleaning out my rundown desktop near the end of its life a few years ago and the thing wouldn't start up anymore. The processor i'm running is a Celeron M 1.5GHz with an integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200m. So it's not even dedicated. I finally decided to post on this site after a good few weeks of sweating so any help or advice would be much appreciated.

 

If I were in your position I would dissmantle it and clean out all of the dust. Including in the heatsink. Also change the thermal paste to a high performence one.

then look at the undervolting thread on this forum and follow those instructions.

here is the thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=235824

good luck,

also maybe your fan is not working?

 

The fan seems to work.

I second the suggestions: 1) clean the fan system which may have collected a lot of dust in in after 2 years of use, 2) undervolt processor. You can also replace the thermal paste on the processor to a better one like Arctic Silver 5, Coollaboratory Liquid Pro or Seven Carat Diamond. You can also replace Celeron M with a better Pentium M processor.

 

I actually already tried opening it. I removed all the screws from underneath except one in the corner which was worn out and wouldn't budge. So I couldn't remove the whole case. Any suggestions? Also, the battery was jammed because the rear end is dented so it wont come out all the way -.-'. But I don't think there's a screw hidden in the battery compartment which needs removing anyway.

I can get OCZ Freeze for a few quid. Is that any good? I have absolutely no idea how to replace a processor. What's the performance difference between Celeron & Pentium M? Does it run cooler? (main concern) I'm in the UK too, so not sure if I can even get it.

P.S. Thanks for the info so far guys. I really do appreciate it. And the fan does work. Kicks in occasionally on full but doesn't really do anything.

 

got the same laptop, been solid for 3 years (touchwood) although the battery is about 20 mins now lol

 

OCZ Freeze is good.
I believe pentium m has speedstep and celeron doesn't so therefore the pentium should run cooler.