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Laptop overheats with network

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by vomastic

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Dell Inspiron 4000 notebook with Windows ME overheats. Back from Dell Repair for the 4th time. They have replaced just about everything and now say the problem is the CD-ROM. However, I swapped out the CD and it still overheats. Dell claims they canfind nothing wrong. Now we've noticed that it only overheats when connected to the network (home network with router connected to desktop and cable modem). The notebook did not overheat until Dell replaced the system board to fix a loose USB port. Any ideas what is going on here?

10 replies

by kyu

I've heard of some Toshiba laptop parts getting fried due to a hot Xircom PCMCIA network/modem card.

Might check to see if heat may be the issue. Good luck.

by brian_seader

You didn't mention using any port replicators or docking stations, but if it only overheats when docked or when docked to a specific dock that's where I'd look. Dell also has a Intel "speedstep" utility you might try. It's designed to step down the CPU speed when the laptop is on batter power, designed to save battery life, but also helps with heat when not docked...

by vomastic

Not using a dock. Dell said "don't worry about the Speedstep" although I know I have that running.

by kindredsage

I'd also look into supplemental cooling - there are a few options available out there - like fans that fit in one PCMCIA slot etc.

Also there are fan units that fit under the laptop itself and cool the entire base - obviously this might be a problem if you use a dock.

contact me if you want to pursue this course -
and I can dig up some vendors.

mkkjacks@iupui.edu

by vomastic

Since overheating didn't use to be a problem until Dell "fixed" it, I don't think I should need to use supplemental cooling. Thanks anyway.

by vomastic

Dell sent me a new network card and this helped for about a day. The machine is still overheating to the point that it does not shut down properly and/or locks up. Could there be a glitch in Windows ME that the new system boards don't like? Would going to XP help? Could my network wiring be at fault somehow? I'm using a LinkSys hub and router. SurfBoard cable modem.

by vomastic

I did a complete reformat of the harddrive and so far the computer is behaving. Perhaps the initial overheating corrupted system files causing the subsequent problems. Or not.

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