Okay, update: it has now run for about 5 hours with no problems. The logs said something about the cd rom drive causing a paging error, whatever that means, then a bios problem with a bios update recommended. The problem is that this machine already has the latest bios. A memory tester has been running for about 3.5 hours now and is at 120% (4gb ram) with 0 errors, so I doubt the ram is the problem. I just hate to call this solved and then have it happen again. It cannot be the processor or hard drive since both are required for continued functioning and do not have the potential of bad blocks like ram. Maybe the video card? It is not integrated, after all. The thought of installing a core temperature monitor is good, but I have heard that there is often a difference between the readings of such programs and the bios temp display. Thoughts on that? Anyway, thoanks for your help. My mom says that the machine often heats up a lot during cd rom operations, though the heat is no where near what it was today when the trouble started. Is this normal, and could it cause any problems?
Have a great day, Alex New email address: mehgcap@xxxxxxxxx----- Original Message ----- From: "The Elf" <inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 7:10 PM Subject: Re: laptop overheating!
hmmm, things to look for:only determining if the fan is running, and sometimes in the BIOS there is a temperature readout, your friend could check that, if the CPU temp is over 72 degrees its too hot, though from your description it should not be.you can also, for a cheap cool down effect, place four plastic soda bottle lids, one under each corner to lift the unit and keep the lid up for greater cooling.then you can get a USB powered cooling mat for around 25 to 30 dollars at any target store let along several at any computer store online or off.if you still get shutdowns or if the CPU temp reading is over 72, send it back, you got a flawed unit, happens all to often, I went through two acer netbooks before I got one that worked right, manufacturing standards are not as high quality as they once were, and most manufactures are falling down on the job.HTH, elf proprietor, The Grab Bag, for blind computer users and programmers http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com Owner: Alacorn Computer Enterprises "own the might and majesty of a Alacorn!" www.alacorncomputer.com Owner: Agemtree "merchants in fine facetted and cabochon gemstones" www.agemtree.com----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Hall" <mehgcap@xxxxxxxxx>To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 2:57 PM Subject: ot: laptop overheating!Hi all,Sorry for the off-topic post, but I am unable to resubscribe to Blind Geek Zone with my new email address. My mom recently got a new Dell laptop, very nice; 512mb video card, dual core proc, 4gb ram, all that. Today it was left in a car for a couple hours, but the car was not very hot and the laptop was in a backpack. When she started it up, it was extremely warm, though in no specific area (not around only the battery or the processor). It said it had recovered from an unexpected shutdown. I thought nothing of it until, some hours later (after letting it completely cool in a cshut down state) it flashed a Blue Screen of Death and rebooted. Now we are backing up all her data, but I am not sure what the problem could be. One thing I hate about new laptops is that it is so hard to hear the fan, so I am not sure if it is running. A sighted friend and I are going to look at it, but is there anything we should look for?Have a great day, Alex New email address: mehgcap@xxxxxxxxx __________View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
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