[shygirl]

my laptop has been overheating for a few weeks now. its gets burnng hot underneath then turns itself off. i think the internal fan is broken.
im going to take it in to the computer shop in town soon, but i was wondering what i have to do first - in terms of protecting any data / documents etc i have on my computer. im a computer dunce here so please state the obvious.

also what price would be an acceptable fee to pay for repair. the shop wont give me an estimated price. the computer is 3 yrs old and cost just short of £400. iv never had a computer fixed before.
thankyou

[doganjo]

Laptop prices have dropped in the last 3 years, get an estimate first.  You may find it cheaper to get a new one - they are faster, have more memory.

If you use a reputable repairer you shouldn't have to worry about your data being safe, but take a back up onto a flash drive or cd before you put it in just in case. And make a note of all the programmes you have installed.  If you don't have the CD's for those you may lose them.

[fiestyredhead331]

  get it sorted ASAP!! mine started doing that, just ignored it as I didn't have a spare and my local techie guy can take weeks to get round to fixing so eventually it hardly worked at all, took it in to the guy, removed the back and it was actually melted in places and was declared DOA 

[lachlanandmarcus]

My old work laptop spontaneously ignited at my work desk. Don't delay, get it to the repairers but before you do back everything up on an external hard drive, they are pretty cheap now, as repair man might declare it dead (he can probably back it for you if you need him to)

[Backinwellies]

Mine has same problem but is usually OK if I keep it well aired,  why do they put vent on underside?  In hotest weather the room fan was directed at laptop not me!!!

reluctant to take to repairers......... am sure will cost almost as much as a new one ..... will put on Christmas list!   

Never leave it one when not using ............  just in case!!

[shygirl]

it doesnt always manage to turn off itself so i have to double check its off and make sure i leave it on the tiled floor incase it does catch fire when im out 

[happygolucky]

WHops...do make sure you turn it off every time just in case!!  We bought a new comp ages ago as the old main frame one was slllllllllllllllllllllllllooooow, but I never took off photos etc, we still have the comp just need to plug it in and take stuff off so, I would get as much off your lap top as you can while  you can and keep cool

[Backinwellies]

have saved all on external hard drive last week... just in case!  ( prompted by mobile phone dying with all on board!!!!    )

[Derby_menagerie]

Look on ebay for laptop stand with fan! less than a tenner, also get hold of a can of air duster (An aerosol that blasts air, I know litrally buying fresh air) and spray into the vent, heck stick your hoover on the vent, the fan is probably just dusted up! Laptops aren't build for the way we actually use them! best on a hard surface like a desk etc. but we use them on laps, cushions in bed etc.

[Backinwellies]

.... off to vacuum my laptop......   

[Backinwellies]

well  I think it helped a bit   not running quite so hot ......... but can still keep my cuppa warm if I sit it near fan!

[Lesley Silvester]

I don't know why they call them laptops as your lap is the worst place to use it. I have a lap tray - the sort with a cushion underneath - and use that every time.