laptop temp issues, are they covered by warranty?

over the last few months specifically since the end of May 2008, my laptop has been getting very very hot in terms of cpu temps and as of today it has hit 80C... my warranty is almost up (ends labor day weekend) and I was wondering if there was anything Toshiba can do to fix the laptop... my idle now seems to be 55 where it was originally 46C when i first got it.

possible cause is that cpu fan could be on the way out (dunno no way to check the rpm speeds - laptop doesnt like speedfan), whatever other cooling methods in the computer are now gone (possibly in addition to the fan not working properly)...

also in october the 1.7 bios update killed my original main board so toshiba had to replace it, and from what i remember of the bill it said they had to use new cooling paste... would warranty cover a touch up of that paste?

I am curious as when the manufacturer warranty runs out i am left dealing with FutureShop and their extended warranty (which I will then have to fight tooth and nail to get them to do anything with the laptop)... and I know they wont do anything unless the main board dies again.

 

couldn't hurt to give toshiba a call and tell them you're getting Overheat on your CPU. I know HP serviced my notebooks before for overheating, they replaced heatsinks and fans for me.

 

Take it to a Toshiba ASP. The will take care of it under warranty. You may try picking up compressed air and blowing through the heat sink vent/ fan area.

 

You definitely want to address this before the warranty expires or you'll be out of luck! I second the advice of rlynn411- take it to a Toshiba authorized service provider.

I had a similar issue with a Toshiba M45 that I bought back in 9/05. Unfortunately, it was two months past the warranty expiration when the hard drive failed due to heat build-up. I took it to a local Toshiba ASP and they were kind enough to install the new HD (with the factory image) and replace the heat sink and clean the fan and vents for just the cost of parts- only $110 out the door.

As notebooks have grown larger and faster, the name "laptop" is often a misnomer. A 2.5GHz dual-core processor, 7200rpm hard drive and 256mb graphics card packed into a 14" or 15" case puts out as much heat as a Hibachi grill! It's a great way to burn your lap (and/or make yourself sterile) LOL...not to mention that it often blocks the exhaust vents. Recipe for disaster!

I'm a big proponent of notebook/laptop coolers- both active and passive designs. The passive types usually elevate the rear of a notebook by a half-inch or so to increase airflow. Active ones (Targus ChillPad, etc) have one or more fans that sit under your notebook and pull heat away.

Another suggestion- avoid placing your notebook on soft surfaces such as pillows or even on a bed or sofa surface. Instead, buy a lap desk or something similar that will provide a hard, flat surface to ensure the most airflow. I've even used a wooden cutting board in a pinch!

Best of luck!

 

well i was able to take can of air and clean some dust out of the laptop (sprayed through the fan intake on the bottom) and a cloud of dust (I hope it was dust!) came out of the left side of the laptop through the exaust grill...

However I have noticed less air flow out the side when the laptop is on now and considerably less air flow out the side of the grill closest to the ethernet port

not sure if its blocked or not as I cannot see into the side of the laptop very well, this of course could be the normal design of the laptop since my temps are nearly back down to where they were when i first got my laptop, but it is still worrisome.

 

I will take it down to the local toshiba repair place on Monday, hopefully the warrenty will cover this issue.

i will definitly get them to look at the exaust system maybe they can get it to flow right...

 

just found this image in a dissassebly guide for my series of laptop... anyone know if there is supposed to be anything stored inside the copper tube like a gas or something?

I am concerned that it may not have been dust that blew out of my side-grill when i blew compressed air into the fan on the bottom...

can somone please confirm my worries or reassure me? regardless I am still taking the laptop in to the local Genamation repair facility...

 

bumping my own thread... could use an answer to my last post... anyone with computer assembly/parts knowlege would help alot.

 

huh just found some info about my processor, good thing i sprayed the can of air into the laptop, as i was close to my supposed max temp...

mobile Core 2 Duo
(Merom)
mCore 2 Duo T5450
(dual 1.6/166 - 2x 1MB)

Core Voltage ?V (1.075V~1.25V)
Vmax 1.55V
Max. Core Amp. 44A
Thermal Design Power 34W
Max. Cover Temp. 85° C

question is though is that max cover temp reading for both cores or per core?
I am uncertain how to interpret this information...

I found the info here:
http://users.erols.com/chare/elec.htm#intel

 

my x205-sli3 was running really hot after 4 months of use (on a clean table in a clean petfree home), and my gpu temps were actually hitting 106C and shutting down. I had been vacuuming regularly with a dustbuster, but had never done anything more severe.

Anyway, when the temps started getting this hot, I broke out the home vacuum, followed by our air compressor with a jet nozzle (locking the fans with a long pin) and was AMAZED at how much debris came out. I follow again with a good vacuuming.

Bottom line, abundant airflow dropped my cpu and gpu temps 30deg at both idle and load, and now I do it every few months.

 

There is NOT gas in the copper tube - What you seen blow out was just dust. Odds are if you use the canned air again you will blow out more. Its not unusual to think your get less air flow from the vents - fans most likely are not running full speed now that air movement is better.

Your Toshiba warranty in theory won't cover general cleanings or applying new thermal paste as a touch up.

 

yeah i read the warrenty it basically said it wouldnt cover that. but things are working again. anyhow i have another question but it doesn't pertain to this thread but is involving the bios update 2.5 in my drivers download section... see ya guys inthe next thread.