I've cooked my lap-top: Well - the heat here in Spain has been around 100f this month. My 64 bit HP Compaq lap-top got fried last week (graphics) which is really a motherboard prob. So...

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Well - the heat here in Spain has been around 100f this month. My 64 bit HP Compaq lap-top got fried last week (graphics) which is really a motherboard prob. So that is the end. Luckily the hard drive is ok and I also have most of it backed up anyway. So until I sort out the problems of finding an English Computer here in Spain I am using my old Sony Vaio.
I went looking for a cooler tray / fan but wasn't impressed - so the point of this is to share what I did to prevent another (expensive) fry-up.
I bought a couple of freezer bricks - the ones that go in cool-boxes - and found a large flat biscuit tin ( about 3" deep) and placed a frozen freezer brick in it, dispensed with the lid and placed the lap-top on top. After a couple of hours swap the brick for a newly frozen one. Keeps my computer properly cool for $3.00.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

...and it doesn't sweat (the biscuit bin)?

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Cdouthitt wrote:

...and it doesn't sweat (the biscuit bin)?

Get a bit of condensation inside - but wipe it when I change the brick. The inside of the tin is "tinned" so no rust. Guess I might not be the first to try this?
If the "air in" vent is underneath the lap-top - will work even better! :-)

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I use a podium pad at work...it's sort of like this...
http://www.amazon.com/Ergonomic-Aluminium-Portable-Foldable-Notebook/dp/B007BD16KC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=07E4B252RE6DFN1MRD2K

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Cdouthitt wrote:

I use a podium pad at work...it's sort of like this...
http://www.amazon.com/Ergonomic-Aluminium-Portable-Foldable-Notebook/dp/B007BD16KC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_147_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=07E4B252RE6DFN1MRD2K

Thanks for the suggestion.
I raise my lap tops with a bit of 2" x 3" timber for ease of use placed underneath towards the back. I had not thought of the cooling - but it does elevate the computer in much the same way - but it still fried! :-)

Zonker Loc: Leesburg, FL

If you move enough air, even at 100ºF it should be OK. was there a lot of dust inside the machine or on the fan blade. The brick is not a good idea. If you could modify the temp to 60-70º it would be OK

GDRoth Loc: Southeast Michigan USA

Do you operate your laptop outside in the direct sun?

I was in 95 degree temps a couple of weeks ago for a week and my laptop seemed normal.

Scubie Loc: Brunswick Georgia

Maybe if your computer freezes, you will rethink that one..just kidding, that is a great idea.One thing though, I would be careful of the moisture coming off a cooler pack..just wondering? Being an engineer, I know moisture is as bad as heat. I would think just a larger fan would do quite well, remember the heat off a contained motherboard is very hot anyway.

Delderby wrote:

Well - the heat here in Spain has been around 100f... (show quote)

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Zonker wrote:

If you move enough air, even at 100ºF it should be OK. was there a lot of dust inside the machine or on the fan blade. The brick is not a good idea. If you could modify the temp to 60-70º it would be OK

Don't know about dust - although the South of Spain is a dusty place.
having lost my favourite lap-top I'm a bit paranoid at the moment. :-)

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

GDRoth wrote:

Do you operate your laptop outside in the direct sun?

I was in 95 degree temps a couple of weeks ago for a week and my laptop seemed normal.

No - never in the sun - but inside or outside temp is much the same. No aircon unfortunately - might do something about that. I guess direct sun would add 20f ! :-)

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Scubie wrote:

Maybe if your computer freezes, you will rethink that one..just kidding, that is a great idea.One thing though, I would be careful of the moisture coming off a cooler pack..just wondering? Being an engineer, I know moisture is as bad as heat. I would think just a larger fan would do quite well, remember the heat off a contained motherboard is very hot anyway.

Hear you about the moisture - I think 64 bits may generate more heat? but the moisture seems to collect in the tin - and not too much of it. It is a heads or tails situation. Still don't reckon those tray fans - which are not getting much cool to the inside of the computer? :-)

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

My boyfriend used to repair computers. He was know to actually place laptops in the freezer to cool them down between software updates and clean ups, while waiting for a replacement fan to arrive from a supplier.

The key as someone said above is to move the air. Elevating the laptop even a half inch, and placing a small room fan near one of the raised edges, and getting the warm air away to drop the laptop temperature would be a short term fix.

But getting someone to use an air compressor with reduced air pressure to blow out the dust and accumulated debris would be advised. Pet hair is a common culprit in overheating computers.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Szalajj wrote:

My boyfriend used to repair computers. He was kno... (show quote)

Thanks - I thinks it is also possible to buy aerosols of compressed air - I will browse! A friend here suggested sitting the computer on a large bag of frozen peas - ok if no vents underneath. :-)

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Whatever you do with the canned air, DO NOT SHAKE OR TIP THE CAN. The air freezes, and you WILL end up with moisture in the computer.

Canned air is safe for regular keyboards, but I would think twice before using it on the inside of any computer for more than a few quick bursts at a slight distance.

Be careful not to blow the keys off of your laptop keyboard. I did that last year, and a friend was kind enough to obtain and install a replacement for me.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Here's a little tip, if you can find a window cill that's not in the sun open the window so its open very slightly, half an inch would do, have another door or window open somewhere else the increased draught your create will be cooler than the ambient temperature, it's known as the "Venturi Effect" just like when you take the valve from a tyre and the air escaping feels cold.
Place the laptop in this draught and that could do the trick and keep the sun off at all cost.