Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

shuting doiplay i on me when ng down wn

Mar 12, 2005 5:23AM PST

hello i have a hp pavilion laptop and every time here lately it is shutting down when i play games it use to not do this any ideas?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Have you ...
Mar 12, 2005 5:32AM PST

Dusted off all the heatsinks in the laptop? They do collect dust and lint...

Bob

- Collapse -
not to sound dumb
Mar 12, 2005 5:40AM PST

bob where are the heatsinks?

- Collapse -
Usually inside...
Mar 12, 2005 6:07AM PST

You'll find them near the little fans and on the hot parts...

Bob

- Collapse -
so...
Mar 12, 2005 6:11AM PST

i should open up the comp to dust off the heatsinks?

- Collapse -
Some had luck with compressed air cans.
Mar 12, 2005 6:25AM PST

But the issue is simply most of the time. Fans move air across the heatsinks. Lint, dust accumulate and if enough, then the machine overheats.

Another issue for some laptops (especially ones that get a lot of transport is a heatsink may pop-off or not be on right. I like your issue because it usually easy to cure.

Bob

- Collapse -
cooling pad
Mar 12, 2005 6:33AM PST

thank you how hard is it to pop on a heatsink and do you thank a cooling pad would help much?

- Collapse -
The heatsinks I've seen have two styles.
Mar 12, 2005 6:43AM PST

One is simply held on with obvious fasteners. I like those. Another was soldered to the board and is prone to one or both (rare) clips coming off. I still have fixed those too. I don't know what type for sure until I pop the hood and don't try to remember what each make/model used.

A cooling pad is a good idea, but without clean heatsinks won't fix it.

Bob

- Collapse -
hp pavilion ze4547wm
Mar 12, 2005 6:48AM PST

bob,
have you every open one of these models?
i know it seems like i don't know much, but this is my first laptop.

- Collapse -
Too many now.
Mar 12, 2005 7:10AM PST

I've been in this biz since before the PC. And the repair side since before that.

If you want the easy out, try the compressed air can first and the cooling pad while you try and find a document if you need it on how to safely open your laptop.

Be sure to read that ALIEN thread since they broke something along the way. Have it done if need be, but the air can is ... easy.

Try it.

Bob

- Collapse -
thank you
Mar 12, 2005 7:13AM PST

thank you for your time bob, by the way do you know of a good cooling pad and a good place to order comp parts online

- Collapse -
This and that.
Mar 12, 2005 7:22AM PST

A shop I use is http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=NBB#NotebookAccessories and I see some pads but not the Targus one I've seen. The models there are fairly cheap so if you try one, please write about as a reply here...

The 2 sites I look to send people with laptops to are ikenfixit.com and notefix.com

Bob

- Collapse -
document
Mar 12, 2005 7:59AM PST

does anyone know where to find info on opening up a laptop?

- Collapse -
Unlikely. Here's why.
Mar 12, 2005 8:43AM PST

You noted this for the make and model.

-> "hp pavilion laptop"

Since that's some hundreds of models, you can imagine I can't look for that. Besides, you would look at hp.com and find its home page. It's the least you can do.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: ze4547wm
May 4, 2005 1:54AM PDT

I have owned this laptop for a bit over a year now and the hard drive fails every six months! They did replace the first one, but this time I'm on my own. Needless to say, I'm NOT HAPPY!

You may have better luck. I hope so!