racing processor on HP laptop with Windows Vista

M

Matt

Hi,

I'm totally illiterate when it comes to fixing computers (just am an expert
in applicationsl likeExcel), and don't even know if I'm posting to the right
place. I suspect not but i figured I'd give it a try.

I have a two year old HP laptop and the processor/fan is racing like crazy
every five minutes, especially when running a multimedia application to view
videos.

Anybody have any suggestions. I supected it was the overbearing Norton anti
virus but I'm not so sure. When I run the task manager and look for what is
taking the memory up, it's usually Windows explorer. I also suspected the
HP pc health application as well but am unsure what will happen if I remove
that program. I see definite periodic high spikes in PC processor usage in
task manager.

Regards.
Matt
(e-mail address removed)
 
B

Bruce Hagen

Matt said:
Hi,

I'm totally illiterate when it comes to fixing computers (just am an
expert in applicationsl likeExcel), and don't even know if I'm posting
to the right place. I suspect not but i figured I'd give it a try.

I have a two year old HP laptop and the processor/fan is racing like
crazy every five minutes, especially when running a multimedia
application to view videos.

Anybody have any suggestions. I supected it was the overbearing Norton
anti virus but I'm not so sure. When I run the task manager and look
for what is taking the memory up, it's usually Windows explorer. I also
suspected the HP pc health application as well but am unsure what will
happen if I remove that program. I see definite periodic high spikes in
PC processor usage in task manager.

Regards.
Matt
(e-mail address removed)
Click to expand...


You hear it making a sound like it's whirring up an down? The fan(s) is
probably loaded with dust. Go to Staples or Office Depot and get "Air In A
Can". Unplug the CPU and take the side panel off. You may need to take the
fan cover off too. Even when it looks like it's clean from either end, it
can still be loaded with dust. You might want to do this outside to avoid
a mess.
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Matt said:
Hi,

I'm totally illiterate when it comes to fixing computers (just am an
expert in applicationsl likeExcel), and don't even know if I'm posting
to the right place. I suspect not but i figured I'd give it a try.

I have a two year old HP laptop and the processor/fan is racing like
crazy every five minutes, especially when running a multimedia
application to view videos.

Anybody have any suggestions. I supected it was the overbearing Norton
anti virus but I'm not so sure. When I run the task manager and look
for what is taking the memory up, it's usually Windows explorer. I also
suspected the HP pc health application as well but am unsure what will
happen if I remove that program. I see definite periodic high spikes in
PC processor usage in task manager.

Regards.
Matt
(e-mail address removed)
Click to expand...


HP laptops have very poor cooling capabilities, in my experience.
Before following the suggestion to use canned air to blow out dust, you
(or a qualified hardware technician) must first open the access panels
around the cooling fan(s) and remove by hand all of the accumulated dust
and hairs from all of the cooling air passages. Otherwise, all the use
of canned air is likely to do is further compress the obstructions. It
may also be, as the fan is so noisy, that its bearings are worn and the
fan should be replaced.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
U

Unknown

Side panel on a laptop?????????
Bruce Hagen said:
You hear it making a sound like it's whirring up an down? The fan(s) is
probably loaded with dust. Go to Staples or Office Depot and get "Air In A
Can". Unplug the CPU and take the side panel off. You may need to take the
fan cover off too. Even when it looks like it's clean from either end, it
can still be loaded with dust. You might want to do this outside to avoid
a mess.
Click to expand...
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Unknown said:
Side panel on a laptop?????????
Click to expand...


Yes, some HP laptops have them, particularly the larger "multimedia"
models with the 17" wide screen. They contain screens for the air inlet
duct.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
U

Unknown

April 1st is long past.
Bruce Chambers said:
Yes, some HP laptops have them, particularly the larger "multimedia"
models with the 17" wide screen. They contain screens for the air inlet
duct.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
Click to expand...
 
B

Bruce Hagen

Not everyone lives in the central time zone. My original reply was at 6:51
PDT. Look at my headers.
 
S

Steve Cochran

Everything gets better when you uninstall Norton. HP also runs a lot of stuff at startup and so you might try disabling some of that. When you do a lot of video processing (e.g. viewing), the processor will normally be well-occupied and the fans will kick in to cool it.

steve
 

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