T41p overheat issues.

[ZirePhoenix]

Recently bought a T41p from eBay. (2373-GEU). I want to know if this behavior is normal for an overheated system.

It will run until it hits certain heat conditions (85C for CPU, somewhere around 55C if both CPU and GPU are taxed). Then the screen will blank out with all the components still powered. The Power light will stay on, all the drives will be powered, and the fan will still run, but the screen will be blank.

If I turn it off and turn it back on before it cools, it won't POST at all.

I've checked out the heatsink and did some fixes (tightened screw and cleaned/reapplied thermal paste), but I don't know why it does this. I thought the machine is suppose to throttle down.

I'll have to try undervolting the machine and see if it will be more stable. I use ATI Tool to tax my CPU and GPU. CPU Burn-in for just CPU. Didn't realize I can undervolt that much with Notebook Hardware Control (previously CHC).

On another note... has anyone noticed the portion of the heatsink that covers the graphics chip? It looks like there is a piece of pink rubber thermal paste protector on it when I took it off... shouldn't that be peeled off?

[JPOESQ]

I have 2 of those exact machines, and what you are experiencing is not normal. The unit should never get that hot, and you should not experience any shutdown of any component or system.

Unless... you have been playing with the ECU settings and trying to overvolt/undervolt your CPU and/or manually change your fan settings. There is no reason whatsoever with a 2373-GEU to be fussing around with any of those settings.

If the fan is running, then you have a bad motherboard and it needs to be replaced. Heat will cause the video controller to go south, and it sounds like you have a bad video controller.

[djpharoah]

I too have a T41p. However my T41p is running cool. In the T4x forums, there is a Fan Control Thread that is stickied. I recommend reading it.

The software in ther eis awesome and helped my T41p start its fan at 55C instead of 70C

[christopher_wolf]

Yup; I would look into gettin the TP FCU as a relief measure until you can get the hardware problems worked out; the link to the Utility Forum is in my signature.

[draco2527]

On another note... has anyone noticed the portion of the heatsink that covers the graphics chip? It looks like there is a piece of pink rubber thermal paste protector on it when I took it off... shouldn't that be peeled off?

There are mixed reviews on this here, some have removed it and used it with the goop that sits between the metal part and the pink pad; others do not recommend it.

IMHO, I would leave it as is! in particular if you warranty is still in effect. The last thing you want is your warranty voided, because you removed the pink pad!!

Considering that you are having some hardware issues, I would take care of those problems first before attempting any modifications.

[djpharoah]

On another note... has anyone noticed the portion of the heatsink that covers the graphics chip? It looks like there is a piece of pink rubber thermal paste protector on it when I took it off... shouldn't that be peeled off?

There are mixed reviews on this here, some have removed it and used it with the goop that sits between the metal part and the pink pad; others do not recommend it.

IMHO, I would leave it as is! in particular if you warranty is still in effect. The last thing you want is your warranty voided, because you removed the pink pad!!

Considering that you are having some hardware issues, I would take care of those problems first before attempting any modifications.

It was my understanding that the pink pad was sorta in the way of the thermal pad to cool the ati T2 video card. I removed my pink pad and my temps are ok.

[ZirePhoenix]

Hmm, I messed around with the Heatsink and removed both the pink pad and the black stuff and replaced it with thermal grease... and it's still under warranty (10 months left)... in hindsight... that was bad idea. I should get a replacement part before I ship it in for repairs.

If I sent it is as it, do they record an "unauthorized repair" and void my warranty?

[djpharoah]

wow. I just got out of NFS:U2 on my T41p and mobile meter reported my 1.5GHz PM to be at 84C.

Isnt that a bit too high??
I have TP Fan Contorl running at the highest settings. any ideas on how to make the cpu cooler??

I have AS3 on there, and Im pretty sure it still hasnt cured yet.

[Bgradid]

I'm wondering if I should try applying artic silver, i've got my laptop, with some games, to get to the point of shutdown due to the temperature

[JPOESQ]

Hmm, I messed around with the Heatsink and removed both the pink pad and the black stuff and replaced it with thermal grease... and it's still under warranty (10 months left)... in hindsight... that was bad idea. I should get a replacement part before I ship it in for repairs.

If I sent it is as it, do they record an "unauthorized repair" and void my warranty?

If your computer fails due to a heat-related problem and you have modified the heat sink configuration, you may well run into problems with your warranty.

Just a passing thought... Unless you are an engineer and have direct knowledge of the thermal characteristics of the materials that you are modifying, don't start hacking at your cooling system. There was at least one engineer who designed your cooling system, and might just have understood this a little more than you or I. In the "for what it's worth category", I am a degreed electrical engineer, have experience with heat transfer in semiconductors, and have read quite a bit about heat sink design, and I wouldn't think of hacking up the cooling pad.

Replace your fan and leave it alone. The thermal grease will already be applied to the underside of the copper where it is needed, so you don't even need to go out and buy any.

Cheers.