Dell 5150 Laptop Burning Hot!! Not a "Lap" Top

[NBinfo]

If you have screw tools, you can have a try -
1. Remove the hinge-cover right above key boards
2. Remove keyboards - 3 or 4 screws on it
3. Continue to remove metal clip under key board - 1 screw
4. Then you can see system fan above CPU.
If there are too many dust accumulated, just clean it up. Hope this can help.[^]

[mathlete2001]

I looked inside and there is practically no insulation between the ram and the user's lap. There is some anti-static stuff and the plastic from the case. It doesn't look like much can be done about the ram.
lol i didn't realize that copper is a conductor, which would either short circuit the RAM or conduct the heat even better, causing burns.

[Kelsoryn]

Hi,

my 5150 has recently started shutting down too - intermittently of course but last night I tried to play Age of Empires and it shut down three times in a row...good thing for the internet cos I found this forum. Solutions? Well, I found another forum some of you might be interested in. It's long but they have some fixes that might be applicable. This STINKS, is all I have to say!!

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=139712&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

[Kelsoryn]

Does anyone know if this a common laptop problem or is it specific to Dells?

[IllegalOperation]

quote:

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Does anyone know if this a common laptop problem or is it specific to Dells?

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This overheating problem is specific to the Dell 5100/5150 series. It is the most commom problem in these models. Dell refuses to officialy aknowlage it or else they will be admitting to a flaw and it will open the floodgates to class action lawsuits and or returns. Dell used a desktop processer in this model, the fan must run all the time. This, coupled with a design flaw, rapidly allows dust to collect on the heat sink and fan and caused your overheating issues. The most common solution for most has been to use compressed air and clean the fan periodically.


Note: the above information is all opinions I have gathered after my research in various forums and dell user groups, and of course, is subject to controversy.

[MDanihy]

I have had my 5150 for almost a year now. Yes, it does get a bit hot and when I pull a CD out, I am amazed it hasn't melted. The machine has NEVER rebooted on me. Now, I had it custom built with a mobile P4 3.06 so I don't know if it has anything to do with the chips. Again, I have not had this machine reboot once, and I have run some pretty graphic intensive programs. I also smoke, so I am sure there is quite a bit of dust and crap floating around in there.

[Dave Walsh]

This overheating issue has to do with using Pentium CPUs in mobiles. They just cant handle the heat. There is a well documented problem with the SmartPC doing the same thing. My advice, get onto Dell and get them to change the laptop. They wont be too enthusiastic about it but you have to keep pushing them.
The 5150 and the SmartPC are cockups end of story and Dell should recall them. Its a basic design flaw. Dust gets into the fans and the CPU cooling fins reducing the cooling efftect. If the CPU gets too hot it will automatically reboot to protect itself.

Hope this helps

[Kelsoryn]

Lucky you - My system (5150) Didn't start crashing until my first post up there...almost 10 months after purchase. I typically leave it on (well I used to) 24/7. Age of Empires and Norton Antivirus seem to kill nowadays. Otherwise, it's hot, but ok...I'm going to try to cleaning solution posted here...

[alwayzamd]

Look, The problem is simply ****-build-up on the heatsink. I just took one apart. Take your machine apart. Take the heatsink assembly off of the CPU. Take the fan out of the assembly you just removed. Then look at the heatsink. There will be a layer of crap on it. Clean that with some compressed air, put it back together and your set.

Good luck.

If you want further instructions, as far as taking the computer apart let me know...

T.J.

[slowtomove]

Yeah. I had the beginnings of an overheating problem in my 16 month old Inspiron 5150 also. Went to Fry's, got a can of compressed air, put the nozzel at the hot air EXIT vent on the back of the laptop, shot a blast of air into the exit vent. Wow! a big cloud of dust came blasting out the side and bottom intake vents. Wife was all bent out of shape for getting so much dust in the living room. I finished blowing the rest of the dust out of my expensive laptop in the backyard. Remember to have the laptop opened when you do this because the ventilation system to the 5150 also draws cool air in through the keyboard. Remove the battery also before using compressed air. This made a big difference in reducing the heat buildup. Even my wife was impressed!