Help?

My laptop gets really, really hot. I know it's because I have a dual core AMD processor, and I've been told to get a cooling mat.

I did.

Well, recently my laptop started smelling funky (like it was burning), so I put it on the cooling mat to cool it down. Now I've taken it back off because it seemed fine.

I just looked today and found this! My power cord is burnt and ridiculously hot.

I'm kind of surprised it still works, but any suggestions on what I can do to keep my computer's temperature down and keep it from either frying my motherboard or my power cord? I'm guessing I should start using it at my desk and keeping it on the cooling mat, but I wanted to see if you guys had any other suggestions.

Here's a pic of the power cord.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1055/...5b687e05c0.jpg
power cord =[ 002 by barbara_briana, on Flickr
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/...443d987ee8.jpg
power cord =[ 001 by barbara_briana, on Flickr

I just don't get why they get so hot! They are called "laptops" meaning to be used in your lap (in my opinion). The one I had 10 years ago never got hot.. why are they made to get so hot now?

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Originally Posted by Laura's Babies

I just don't get why they get so hot! They are called "laptops" meaning to be used in your lap (in my opinion). The one I had 10 years ago never got hot.. why are they made to get so hot now?

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I agree, lol.

If I use mine on my lap, my lap gets hot and then I start to get hot, so I have to take it off of my lap :rolleyes:

I have the same problem but no answer. Mine gets very hot and the metal part of the cord gets very hot but not burnt like yours "yet". I got a cooling thing too for mine but it doesn't seem to cool it enough. Hoping someone here has an answer for us. What brand is yours? Mine is a Toshiba.

Doesn't seem right that it would get so hot. I have a cooling fan which my son bought me at Best Buy, it was around $38.00. It is always puggled into my lap top.

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Originally Posted by happylabs

I have the same problem but no answer. Mine gets very hot and the metal part of the cord gets very hot but not burnt like yours "yet". I got a cooling thing too for mine but it doesn't seem to cool it enough. Hoping someone here has an answer for us. What brand is yours? Mine is a Toshiba.

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Mine is a Toshiba also! A Satellite T-135 to be exact :). Do you also have a dual core AMD processor? :p My cousin is a computer whiz and he said they haven't learned how to fix the processor from overheating yet :rolleyes:. Someone needs to start or Toshiba's going to be paying for a new laptop.

Marigold That's what I was thinking. I mean it's always gotten hot before, but now it seems kind of extreme.

They are really made to be used on hard surface not sofa ones that will not allow air to flow. Good luck.

I have no idea, I've never really had that problem although my current laptop does get burning hot and the fan is ridiculously loud at time. But you should find out why, maybe call Toshiba or something because that's really dangerous. Until you find a solution NEVER leave it on a bed, papers, etc. I never leave mine on my bed unattended because it probably could cause a fire or something.

Okay guys, thanks.

I just can't send my laptop off right now, I need it for school too much.

I think the weird burning smell the other night could have been my power cord getting fried :/ It's on the cooling mat right now and the cord is still getting really hot, but I think it's helping some.

If the power plug is burning, then it must be an issue in the area of the power supply in the laptop or with the power brick. Could you tell me if the brick itself gets as exorbitantly hot? It may be an issue with the power adapter, in such case just buying a new one would solve that. Otherwise it could be an issue with the power supply inside the laptop, and that would require sending it back to the manufacturer for repair.

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Originally Posted by Hellow

If the power plug is burning, then it must be an issue in the area of the power supply in the laptop or with the power brick. Could you tell me if the brick itself gets as exorbitantly hot? It may be an issue with the power adapter, in such case just buying a new one would solve that. Otherwise it could be an issue with the power supply inside the laptop, and that would require sending it back to the manufacturer for repair.

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The brick sometimes gets hot; I've felt it get pretty hot, but it's only mildly warm right now.

But the whole laptop itself gets hot, it always has. The cooling mat seems to help out a lot with that though.

Are the power outlets in your home standard and rated for at least the voltage that your computer uses? Maybe something with the outlet could be causing it to overheat. Have you tried any other outlets to see if you have that problem? Outlets in bathrooms and kitchens are usually higher voltage to run small appliances, hair dryers, etc.
You could take it to Best Buy and let the Geek Squad look at it. I took my fried external harddrive there to see if they could try to recover some of the pictures on it to a new harddrive and they got it done by the next business day. I was pretty happy with their service, and it wasn't too incredibly expensive either.

First, do not use a laptop ON YOUR LAP. There have been many many reports of skin issues, discoloration, some of it permanent, from having a laptop sitting on your legs. Have it on a table of some sort!

Next, I suggest you take that power cord and stop in at Best Buy, ask them what the heck is going on? Doesn't matter if you bought it there or not. Have someone knowledgeable look at it! And take the make, model of your laptop with you.

Third, go online to the Toshiba home site and report all this!

Goldenlover I would imagine the outlets are standard because it's in my dorm, but I'm not sure. There aren't really any other outlets to try. It's connected to a surge protector, which is about the only available outlet in here. The only problem about that is getting to best buy, lol. I'm nowhere near one and I don't have a car or the money to take a bus. Or the money to pay for the services either, really.

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Originally Posted by Freedom

First, do not use a laptop ON YOUR LAP. There have been many many reports of skin issues, discoloration, some of it permanent, from having a laptop sitting on your legs. Have it on a table of some sort!

Next, I suggest you take that power cord and stop in at Best Buy, ask them what the heck is going on? Doesn't matter if you bought it there or not. Have someone knowledgeable look at it! And take the make, model of your laptop with you.

Third, go online to the Toshiba home site and report all this!

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Yeah it's on my desk now. Most of the time I Sit on my bed though and the laptop sits on the bed, I'm sure there's been some blankets blocking it at certain points, so that was a problem.

It will be at least 2-3 weeks before I can get to best buy, so... maybe. No way to get there anytime soon.

I should probably report this to Toshiba, so I'll make sure to do that.

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Originally Posted by Roxyluvsme13

Yeah it's on my desk now. Most of the time I Sit on my bed though and the laptop sits on the bed, I'm sure there's been some blankets blocking it at certain points, so that was a problem.

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Don't do this - it's a fire hazard.
Keep the laptop on the desk or another similar hard surface.