Question:
Inspiron 9300
Ive had this computer for almost a year now, joined a couple different forums in the past few days and no one seems to reply so trying a new one for help, lol.
Just a couple of questions.
Ive noticed in the past few months that my laptop gets a bit hot underneath, sometimes almost too hot to touch. Its not the battery, its more at the back in the centre of it.
Could this be my video card? (im not sure where that is inside exactly so maybe im way off).
I dont play games on my laptop much but last week i bought the new Broken Sword game but it keeps crashing on me.
Ive kind of in my own head linked the game crashing to maybe the video card over heating, but i could be way off.... thats why im here looking for advice on what i should do or test to fix both problems (i.e. the heat and game crashing issues).
By the way, the video card is the ATI Radeon x300.
Any info/advice is much appreciated and if you need anymore info on my laptop to get a better idea of it just let me know.
Thanks again.
Chris
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
As a place to start, make sure the vents are clean and free of dust/debris. Might want to blow it out with some compressed air. Perhaps a cooling pad would help.
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
Ok thanks, ill buy some compressed air. Ive been meaning to buy that for a while anyway to clean the keyboard so thanks for reminding me. :D
Now that i think of it, is there a way to check out the video card to see if there is any damage on it?
I ask because when i tried to play the game the past few times it was just after i put my computer on, so the heat hadnt really kicked in yet.
Will i leave checking out the video card for now and just clean the laptop first?
Thanks for the fast reply by the way. :)
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
I think you should clean it out first. Try it after that, if it's cool, then no worries, if its snot, then it might just be your vid card. Test it for a while first though.
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
Ok, ill post back when ive cleaned it out. :)
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
Ok thanks, ill buy some compressed air. Ive been meaning to buy that for a while anyway to clean the keyboard so thanks for reminding me. :D
Now that i think of it, is there a way to check out the video card to see if there is any damage on it?
I ask because when i tried to play the game the past few times it was just after i put my computer on, so the heat hadnt really kicked in yet.
Will i leave checking out the video card for now and just clean the laptop first?
Thanks for the fast reply by the way. :)
Clean out the vents first then check all components and setup. Also make sure you don't have a bunch of stuff running in the background
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
You may want to take the laptop apart and clean out the vents. Compressed air works good if you do it regularly. It is not so good if you go a long time and then try it. The dust almost begins to form a mat and holds itself together. I recently had to take my 9300 apart and clean it out. I also had the video card go bad after the vent clogged with dust and the card overheated.
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
You may want to take the laptop apart and clean out the vents. Compressed air works good if you do it regularly. It is not so good if you go a long time and then try it. The dust almost begins to form a mat and holds itself together. I recently had to take my 9300 apart and clean it out. I also had the video card go bad after the vent clogged with dust and the card overheated.
Yeah ive never taken the computer apart, so im dreading what i might find, lol.
Did you have to get a new card or was it OK after you cleaned it?
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
Just another question. :o
I just realised last night i dont really have the correct screwdrivers to open up my laptop, they're all too big.
Does anyone know a website that has maybe specific tools/kits top use on computers?
Answer:
Re: Inspiron 9300
Before i joined this forum i emailed Dell to see what i should do about the heat. I just received this email back from them.
Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware E-Support.
I understand from your email that you have an issue concerning Dell Inspiron 9300 running on Windows XP operating system.
Please power down the system and remove all drives and CRU(Customer Replaceable Units), including HDD.
If one of the drives/peripherals is causing the heat, determine if the heat is normal. Many hard drives can be quite warm as they have high rotational speeds
Power the system back up, without any CRU's, and keep it power on for some time to check if the heat persists. If the heat persists with all drivers removed then the system fan and heatsink on the computer will need to be replaced.
If the issue doesnot persist when the CRU(Customer Replaceable Units) are removed, then reinstall the CRU's/cards one by one after every power cycle to determine the exact part causing the heat. If the CRU(Customer Replaceable Units) are not governing the issue, then we will need to replace the system fan from the computer.
My apologies for all the inconvenience. I shall arrange for the replacement system fan for the computer.
Im not exactly sure what its asking about removing all the drives because i dont open up the laptop ever.