Laptop Overheating

[jollywolf]

My laptop is a 2008 model Dell Inspiron 1420. I noticed early it always ran kind of hot, so I assume the cooling system design is not very good on this model. The unit started getting even hotter about a year ago, until I started getting crashes and messages about the CPU temperature being above threshold.

The technical aspect of what's causing this is new to me, so I don't understand where the problem is exactly. The fan seems to be working fine, and as long as the laptop is hanging off the table, where the fan spins underneath the laptop, it doesn't seem to overheat.

Heatsick cooler? Fan? What else could it be?

Pics of the heatsink: 1 | 2 | 3

Thanks for taking the time to read.

 

[corkyg]

Possible dust and dirt accumulation. BTW, I have requested this thread be moved to the Notebooks forum.

 

[Matt1970]

If it doesn't overheat with the laptop hanging off the table, you need to get it up in the air as you are choking the airflow. My lappy has 4 rubber feet I stuck on the bottom that get it up a good 1/2" and it sits on a cooling pad. I don't use the fan in the cooling pad, I just use it cause it tilts my keyboard up at an angle and allows even better airflow. Finally, like corkyg said, you probably have dust and dirt accumulation. Find a way to blow the fan out.

 

[jollywolf]

Man, were you guys ever RIGHT. A dust-pad resembling a sponge built up next to the heatsink, practically blocking the whole vent.

Thank you, guys! Feel free to close this thread or remove it.