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    laptop fans are running, but still overheating

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by pkim1230, Sep 17, 2008.

  1. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    Hi,

    I have a laptop, Vaio VGN-S38GP, pentium M processor 740 1.73 Ghz.

    i run windows xp sp2 fine if i dont do anything like watching a dvd or movies, but if i do, the computer shuts off.

    i have a temperature monitoring program that often tells me my cpu is over 80 degrees.

    i lifted up the keyboard of the laptop, and then I can see the fan running.

    I cleaned out the dusts, i also use a cooler normally, and i have cleaned the dust out of that as well.



    basically, my laptop's fan seems to be running, but the cpu area (the bottom of the laptop where cpu is located) is very hot when it turns off.

    so im pretty sure its overheating, and i dont know why. and i even have a laptop cooler running.



    the problem is more evident when i try to format the computer or install windows from boot cd.



    it turns off when im formatting, or while im copying windows setup files.



    i tried to place the laptop in the freezer of my fridge, but it still turns off.



    i need help please.

    thanks!
     
    pkim1230, Sep 17, 2008
    #1
  2. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    What model is it? what cooler do you have?
     
    Johnny T, Sep 17, 2008
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  3. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    zalman nc1000 running very nicely.


    sony vaio vgn-s38gp pcg-6e1p
     
    pkim1230, Sep 17, 2008
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  4. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    the fan runs when it needs to, but it sometimes makes noises like someone moaning
     
    pkim1230, Sep 17, 2008
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  5. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    hmm maybe something is wrong with the fans. Sounds like the fan only turns on at high temps which isn't good. I would recommend you to try undervolting. Try using Notebook Hardware control, which is excellent from my experience with Pentium M CPUs.
     
    Johnny T, Sep 17, 2008
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  6. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    i was able to format the drive, but i cannot install windows, so i dont have windows anymore.

    now i am basically stuck with this OS-less laptop! and it keeps turning off trying to install windows! or while formatting too.
     
    pkim1230, Sep 17, 2008
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  7. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    hmm, maybe the thermal paste was applied improperly. Because it honestly shouldn't over heat like this.
     
    Johnny T, Sep 17, 2008
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  8. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    i cleaned the old thermal paste and reapplied the thermal paste correctly, but it still overheats. it actually ran a little longer than usual
     
    pkim1230, Sep 17, 2008
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  9. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I am out of ideas unfortunately... :(
     
    Johnny T, Sep 17, 2008
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  10. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

    should i replace the fans? it costs me $80 omg
     
    pkim1230, Sep 17, 2008
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  11. human668

    human668 Notebook Consultant

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    I think you should. $80 is not that bad compare to buying a new laptop.
     
    human668, Sep 17, 2008
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  12. Bomfunk

    Bomfunk Notebook Consultant

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    Maybe try a different fan model as well just to be sure..
    Have you tried running the installation with only a fully charged battery? Maybe the Laptop won't run at maximum clock speed then.
     
    Bomfunk, Sep 18, 2008
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  13. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    How about installing Windows when you're laptop is in the freezer? :)

    Yeah it sounds funny but I mean it.
     
    Phil, Sep 18, 2008
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  14. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    im running a small portable fan near the laptop, and its working nicely....

    does this mean i have to replace my fans in my laptop??? it seems to run fine though, it doesnt run sometimes and starts running again and idk...
     
    pkim1230, Sep 18, 2008
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  15. TZ300

    TZ300 Notebook Evangelist

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    Is there an air intake and air exhaust. If there are, try use compress gas and blow on it. My Dell Inspiron laptop sometimes runs the fan and full speed, but after I blow it, it quiet down.
     
    TZ300, Sep 18, 2008
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  16. pkim1230

    pkim1230 Notebook Deity

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    all these suggestions are like for noobs...
     
    pkim1230, Sep 18, 2008
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  17. thebigpants27

    thebigpants27 Notebook Evangelist

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    Don't complain when people are trying to help...

    Anyways, look, your computer is pushin it age wise. I had a Pentium M 1.86ghz with 1gig of ram (it was a thinkpad R52) and it did the exact same thing as you mentioned.. overheated...shut down randomly, etc. I tried compressed air, i tried poppin it open, etc. I have a laptop cooler running underneath it FOREVER. It still messed up all the time. I essentially stopped using it, used other people's computers for a couple of months before i got my vaio SR and guess what? The Thinkpad seems alright now, constant use also makes it worse...

    Computers, depending on usage, fall apart over time. Judging by your specs being similiar to my old lappy, your computer is 3-4 years old. Laptops are really only intended to work at their best for 3 years in my personal experience. It may be smarter for you to save you 80 dollars + accesories and fixes, suck it up for a couple of months, and if you can afford it, buy a new pc/laptop. I also suggest utilizing a trade in program, don't sell it if you know it's fallin apart, but hell sell it to sony or costco... they wont care if it's reliable or not at this point

    If you really cant afford to get a new one, i suggest swapping out the fans and perhaps as people mentioned reapplying the thermal paste.
     
    thebigpants27, Sep 18, 2008
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  18. JPH127

    JPH127 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Maybe your harddrive is failing, because you couldn't copy files/format the drive.
     
    JPH127, Sep 20, 2008
    #18