Anyone with good laptop knowledge ... HELP NEEDED!

[fuzzylogic]

hey guys just looking a little help, using a dell inspiron 6400 I think about 3years old, keeps overheating even when sitting on hard surface not being used! would a new fan be needed or is she banjaxxed??

[fermain]

you can usually hear the fan on a Dell kick in, it's noisy. It also depends where the heat is coming from. underneath there is the battery, hard disk or motherboard. the fan only cools the motherboard. if its the other, then they are easily replaceable.

[fuzzylogic]

its coming from the bottom, and if i turn it over and look at it plan view it is almost too hot to touch around the top right corner!

[fermain]

opposite the fan then?

[fuzzylogic]

no no right above the fan!

[Rooster]

Try blowing the dust out of the inlets , they seem to suck air in at the Dell logo circle on the side and also at the front near the bottom.

[GerryO']

I seem to recall a battery problem that resulted in overheating and some machines caught fire. Not 100% sure it was Dell though.

[pwrmoore]

there was a dell recall as a result - there's probably still info on it on their website

have a look
HERE

[fuzzylogic]

ta folks, just opened it up and some of the fan blades have melted and warped slightly

[mikerob]

Just don't follow this person's example and put your laptop on your lap...