Notebook Cooler Recommendations?

[Tsuioku]

PC brokedown and I'm using my T41P extensively now...

Started noticing more frequent lockups (due to my GPU according to error reports) so I'm considering getting a notebook cooler.

I notice some vents on the bottom of the laptop... Looks like they're for passive cooling... Anyone know if they're for input or output? So I know whether to grab a cooler that blows or sucks...

[Paul Unger]

I've tried both hardware and software cooling for my T42s. Software is more effective by far.

Install NHC (Notebook Hardware Control 2.0) and undervolt / underclock your machine. This alone knocked about 15C from the operating temperature of my machine (from low-50s to mid-30s C). Then add the ACPI control module to take control of your fan. Before adding 'fan control' mine wouldn't come on until ~70C! I now have it set to come on 'low' at 40C, and have a much happier machine. You can also underclock your GPU, though I haven't gone there yet.

I used a dual-fan cooling stand for a while (the fans pulled the air from the bottom of the machine and blew it down and out the sides). This worked, but I only saw a drop of ~5C . . . I sure was loud, though. And I didn't always have it with me--only at home (and I wasn't going to be lugging the thing around!) The software was always on hand

Search the forum--you'll find some good instructions.

[Temetka]

PC brokedown and I'm using my T41P extensively now...

Started noticing more frequent lockups (due to my GPU according to error reports) so I'm considering getting a notebook cooler.

I notice some vents on the bottom of the laptop... Looks like they're for passive cooling... Anyone know if they're for input or output? So I know whether to grab a cooler that blows or sucks...

I hate to say this, but most coolers, well...they suck.

[Tsuioku]

I've tried both hardware and software cooling for my T42s. Software is more effective by far.

Install NHC (Notebook Hardware Control 2.0) and undervolt / underclock your machine. This alone knocked about 15C from the operating temperature of my machine (from low-50s to mid-30s C). Then add the ACPI control module to take control of your fan. Before adding 'fan control' mine wouldn't come on until ~70C! I now have it set to come on 'low' at 40C, and have a much happier machine. You can also underclock your GPU, though I haven't gone there yet.

I used a dual-fan cooling stand for a while (the fans pulled the air from the bottom of the machine and blew it down and out the sides). This worked, but I only saw a drop of ~5C . . . I sure was loud, though. And I didn't always have it with me--only at home (and I wasn't going to be lugging the thing around!) The software was always on hand

Search the forum--you'll find some good instructions.

I already did all that... Just that I notice the CPU temperature creeping higher and higher even though it's just idling... It used to idle at ~40 +/- 1C but now, it goes up by ~5C by the end of the day. Recently, I get random dead pixels and I can't turn off the LCD using Fn+F3 both of which are remedied after a restart. I also seem to be having more lockups and BSODs... when I restart, the error report says it's due to the GPU... After doing a little bit more reading here, I'm suspecting that the driver might have got corrupted. Going to try re-installing that after my exams. Should I just stick w/ stock or try some 3rd party drivers? If 3rd party, what do you recommend?

My friend got a Vantec Lapcool 3 and the noise level ain't that bad. Runs at under 2000 rpm but still pushes a good amount of air due to dual 80mm fans and it's also cheap...