Laptop troubleshooting forum: Running hot and shutting down randomly

When the battery is at 20% then all bets are off. Yes I think someone could do a better job of explaining why but I'll just nod and write that I would not expect this to work. Let's see if anyone will write a longer explainer.

At 20% it is time to plug it in.

As to the CPU getting hot when it runs at 90 to 100 per cent, that's normal too. I suggest you find out what the machine is doing as when it is on battery power such high usage can drain the battery faster and cause early shutdowns.
Bob

Most laptops sold have pitiful 300 CYCLE BATTERIES. These age fast and as they age you see problems like yours. (Battery only, not the CPU 100%) Let's take their word it's only 300 good cycles. That means in daily use you pay about 30 cents per cycle.

The lesson many learn is to not use the battery unless there is no other choice.

The shut down improperly is the right message under these conditions.

Back to the CPU use. Given no more details such as what's running I suggest you post a HIJACKTHIS log at bleeping computer. Where is that? Read http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6132_102-0.html?threadID=255339&tag=forums06;forum-threads

As to hot. Today's laptops are mostly desktops in laptop form and not literally to be used on our laps!
Bob

Laptops running warm tends to be fairly typical after just so long; they often build up dust that covers the vents, often this accumulation looks more like dryer lint than anything else. Naturally, that won't go through the fins on the heatsink, and it can cause the system to overheat if left unchecked.
You may be able to clear out quite a bit of dust from the system with some compressed air, but if you've had the system a while, and/or you've got pets, a dusty house, a work area that has who knows what in the air, then your best bet may be to remove the heatsink to clear out the dust that's jammed in it. Not always easy, but can save the system.
Assuming the system only shuts down like that when it's on battery power, and doesn't exhibit this behavior on A/C power, then the two issues are most likely not linked. However, if the system shuts down whether on battery or not, then the system could be shutting down due to an overheat issue. The fix for that is the same thing; try and clean out the vents/ducts on the system as well as possible.

That is very helpful and a) I will clean it out and b) the heat is happening, I think, when it is on my lap, bed, etc....so that makes sense.

Thanks again, Chris

HP & Compaq's regularly overheat. The problem can lie in the design of the air-flow in the particular machine. DO NOT try to blow dust/lint/etc through these pathways, rather try to vacumme it out of both the intake and exhaust vents.

Many laptops have a "Pathway" designed into them for air flow to cool the CPU, Video Processor and power-regulators. This can become full of lint/etc, as well as regulators becoming covered in lint/debris.

Further, many had insufficiant or improperly applied thermal heat-sink compounds applied on both CPU/Video chips during manufacture.

This leads to pre-mature shut-down and the death of many hard-drives and supporting electronics. In which case, you need a tech to properly clean out the paths and clean and replace the thermal compounds. In most cases, this will result in a better operating laptop, than even when you bought it!

Don't attempt to disassemble your own laptop, if your not fully aware of how these jig-saw puzzles are put together. Typically, every single part, in some way supports another, so a simple mistake can kill off your machine.

Using a compressed air-can (most have other chemicals in them too) will only force more crap into the worst possible spot!

MarkinTO

I have a Compaq laptop and a while back there was a battery recall by HP as some were overheating. Might be an idea to go to the website and see if your particular model/type is faulty.