Please help: Is my laptop overheating?

I just bought an M45-S169, and for some reason the fan seems to be running full-throttle much of the time when CPU usage is at a minimum. From what I can tell, the fan seems to have three settings: Low, Medium, Full-throttle.

Low is not distinguishable, and I believe that is how it should be most the time when browsing internet, word processing, etc. However my notebook fan ALWAYS seems to be running at at least "medium" speed, with random bursts of "full-thorttle." Sometimes just sitting here not even running any programs the fan will run at "medium", then jump to "full-throttle" for about 10 seconsds, then back down to "medium" for 10 seconds, then back up to "full-throttle." It sounds like it is possessed -- or something is wrong and it is overheating.

I downloaded SpeedFan, just to check the temperatures. I don't know what they mean really, but these are the readings SpeedFan gives:

HD0: 38C
Temp1: 79C

The notebook is not hot to the touch anywhere, but the "Temp1" of 79C concerns me. I have no idea what Temp1 represents. I should also mention that my notebook is on a table most of the time, with all air vents unblocked.

Anyhow, is something wrong with the cooling system in my notebook??? Please help, I'm frustrated that I spent $1000 on a computer as loud as a hairdryer.

 

I'd start by looking at what's running on the machine. There could be extra software and services enabled that are taking up CPU, driving up the heat and fan use. Toshiba is on the high side of the scale when it comes to loading the machine with useless crap. The best bet would be to do a clean OS install, but if you're not comfortable with that, start by uninstalling applications you don't need and removing things from the system tray that aren't being used.

 

Yeah, I already thought about that. The first thing I did was clean off all that stuff. I've also run HijackThis to remove unneccessary startup items and any malicious programs that might be hogging the CPU. Right now with IE and Trillian open my computer runs at 2-10% usage. Fan remains on what I described as "Medium" - it is very audible; I can hear it from several feet away. At this point it rarely goes to "quite" speed - and when it does it is usually just for a few seconds. Something is not right.

Any other advice???

 

Do you have any objects close to or blocking the intake/output fans? Are you using the notebook on a desk? If you have too many objects too close to the intake/output fans, you can overheat your compter. In addition, if you are placing your notebook ontop of any type of cloth (on your lap, bed, couch, rug) this also can be a major problem.

 

I'm aware of some laptop's problems when sitting on beds, etc., but I use this on a flat desk.

 

Opps, sorry for that mistake! What version of SpeedFan are you using? Try doing a reinstall of the program, or get the latest version. If you still get the same readings as you have gotten before, then I suggest using MobileMeter, which is essentially the same thing as SpeedFan, but may give you different readings. If that doesn't work, I suggest taking the notebook back to the store where you bought it. If the store won't do anything, then I suggest taking your problem to Toshiba, assuming your notebook is still within warranty.

Here's the Link for MobileMeter: http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-Oakland/8259/

 

I get the same readings with MobileMeter.

Is an 80C processor temperature high? Both programs put a little match on fire next to that reading. I'm guessing that isn't optimal, lol.

 

80 degrees Centigrade is VERY hot for a laptop. My zv6000 has a down-clocked version of the desktop AMD Athlon 64, and the highest temp. its ever gotten was 58 degrees Centigrade when I was using SuperPi and playing BF2. Pentium Ms/Celeron Ms usually top off at around 50-55 degrees Centigrade. I would make sure that your internal temp. sensors are working properly. If the notebook's cool and reads a high temp. you may have some defective sensors. A defective sensor can trigger the laptop's fan to turn on when it is unnecessary. For instance your notebook's core temp. may be 35 degrees, but since your sensor may be defective, your laptop may think that its on fire at 90 degrees, therefore tiggering your fan to turn on. I think you should take your notebook into Toshiba or a service center to have it examined.

 

That is a good hypothesis. I'll post the diagnosis when I get it looked at. Thanks!

 

Tex,

Do you have Toshiba's Power Management software installed? If so, check the settings. One user had a similar issue and making a change to it lowered the CPU temp by over 20 degrees. This may be a similar issue.

-Vb-

 

Yeah, I have that software. I'm not really sure what to mess with on it though. Right now it is on default "Full Power" settings since I have it plugged in all the time. Any idea who the user was or what he changed???

 

Been searching the internet about overheating and shutting down problem, espcially during heavy cpu usage.

Read about someone taking apart thier laptop and cleaning out the dust from the fan area.

Temp solution? I got a can of compressed air, and blew it through the Fan openings and then through the exhaust openings. Got some (all??) the dust/lint out. Laptop has not shutdown since then (1 week).

Hope it helps.