[OBrother]

I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop, running XP, which I've owned for a couple years. It frequently shuts off when I'm in the middle of something that apparently takes a lot of energy--running a whole-system virus scan, shredding a bunch of documents with Spybot, for example. The fan runs quite loud for a few minutes or longer, then the computer shuts off. Just--completely shuts off. Sometimes I notice the CPU (Pentium 4, 2.66GHz) maxes out at 100% for a while right before this happens.

Is this related to the temperature, as suggested elsewhere? And if so, how would I fix it?

I've downloaded the Everest home edition, and run it--it commonly shows temps around 84 degrees C (184 F) for the CPU.

If I need to tell you anything else, please let me know. Thanks for your help.

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the temps are your problem...that's a very high cpu temp and is not good for the system...if you can open up the computer and get some compressed air...try cleaning off the cpu fan really well....you could also get a laptop cooler which is basically a little box of fans that you set the laptop on...though...with that temp...it won't completely fix the problem..

[dsenette]

the temps are your problem...that's a very high cpu temp and is not good for the system...if you can open up the computer and get some compressed air...try cleaning off the cpu fan really well....you could also get a laptop cooler which is basically a little box of fans that you set the laptop on...though...with that temp...it won't completely fix the problem..

[OBrother]

Thanks; I'll try to clean the fans. What CPU temps should I be shooting for?

[dsenette]

50's or 60's max

[OBrother]

Well, I was able to get that plate off the bottom of my computer, and I blasted the fan area with compressed air. Dust and even lint came flying out! Now the computer is up and running, and it's quieter than I've heard it in ages. The Everest says the CPU is running at 54 degrees C. I don't know yet if it will shut off again in the future--but that certainly seems to have solved the problem! Thanks, dsenette!

[dsenette]

heat is the worst thing for electronics....if you can keep them cool...they will usually stay running...just try to clean out the machine once a month if you can