laptop overheating issue?
 

I got a sony vaio Pentium 2.0ghz, computer with win xp pro on it, it has a radeon 7500c mobility 32mb videocard. The problem is that the processor and videocard create a lot of heat inside the machine thus causing my machine to shutdown unexpectedly. I contacted Sony, once before and their best advice was to put my notebook on a hard surface which i do and they once showed me ultimately how to restart the power options. Since then it still shutdowns automatically and the underside of the laptop gets very hot very quickly. The longest I can use it is for 2 hours, before it dies on me. I have tried a notebook fan which connects to a usb plug and the fan essentially sits under the notebook, but even this product has failed. Does anyone have any ideas how I can solve this problem? Some product I can use that has great results? Any help will be appreciated.

One thing you may want to look at is "Speed Stepping", if that still exists in laptops. It purposefully runs the CPU at a slower speed to produce less heat. Either hit up Google or ask the manufacturer.

I heard about that, underclocking my processor. I think that I can do that through the Beos, ill check into that.

If you have to resort to underclocking it to use it dependably, something is wrong.

I had the same problem with my old Tecra 8100. After a few weeks of fighting with Toshiba support, I sent it back and got a new one. There wasn't a problem afterwords.

I agree with tinfoil. If, during normal use (ie: not a marathon gaming session where you're constantly maxing the CPU and stressing the video card) it overheats to the point where it has issues, something is wrong with your specific computer.

Demand to get a replacement.

I would demand a replacement. No laptop should overheat, no matter how intensive it is used, unless the vents for it are blocked. I ahve yet to have any of my or my friends laptops shutdown due to heat, and we would use them for network gaming on the road, and most of those sessions would be at least 8 hours of straight use.

Just to point it out, you need to clean it. When the fans get the lint build up the laptop overheats. Try vaccuming out all of the vents and fans. Remove the keyboard if you can and clean off the mobo. Also make sure the fans are getting the air they need (not blocked).

If it is clean, I think you have other problems. Send it back and get another one.

I have a Dell with a P3 processor and 32 meg card, gets very hot but I can play games all night without a problem.