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Overheating - can't install OS

Discussion in 'Motherboard - MOBO' started by Gerard, Apr 2, 2020.

  1. Gerard

    Gerard Registered Members

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    Hi there,

    my first post in desperate need for help in this Corona governed time where I am forced to live in lockdown =(

    I have a Lenovo Thinkpad T410s, and I wanted to re-install Windows (delete Win7, install Win10). When trying to install Windows from USB, the system shuts down automatically after some time.
    A long time ago, I already had this problem and could solve it by installing TPC Fan Control, by which I could manually increase the CPU fan speed out of Windows. Never had this problem again until now.

    The problem is that I have formatted my hard drive before trying to install Win10, so I don't have access to the OS anymore (or the fan control). To my naive eyes, it looks like I have overheating again. My BIOS does not seem to have a manual fan control. Just a setting for "active thermal management" that could be set to "maximized performance" (preferring CPU speed to low temperatures) and "balanced". I put it to "balanced" but it did not help.

    My BIOS is pretty old (screenshot: https://ibb.co/2ttq0Kk). Is it possible updating it will yield a manual fan control setting? If so, I might need some guidance on how to do it via USB device. Any help is appreciated!!


    Best,

    Gerard
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2020
    Gerard, Apr 2, 2020
    #1
  3. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    Hello and welcome Gerard. Those ThinkPads are nice solid machines.

    Do you hear the fan running? If the fan is running and if you think it’s overheating, the heat exchanger is probably clogged. If the exchanger is clogged, the heat can’t escape. It builds up.

    Try shooting some compressed air in the machine’s vents to blow out the dust. Quick short bursts should work.
     
    Tony D, Apr 2, 2020
    #2
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  4. Gerard

    Gerard Registered Members

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    Hello Tony, thank you for your response!

    Yes, I can hear the fan running. Usually, that fan control program would fix it to the highest or -second highest state and it would work fine, so I assumed the automatic state just was not strong enough. Do you think blowing some air inside with my mouth is sufficient? Or what device would you use? The UK is in lockdown right now, so all electronic stores are closed :(
     
    Gerard, Apr 3, 2020
    #3
  5. plodr

    plodr CHF Advisor CHF Advisers

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    If you don't have canned air, you could try a hair dryer - if it has a cool setting. You don't want to blow hot air into the laptop. You might also try a shop vac. Use the hose in the blower socket rather than the intake or vacuum socket.
     
    plodr, Apr 3, 2020
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  6. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    If all you can do is blow in with your mouth, well ... give it a try. Use a straw. My only concern is humidity. You don't want to get it inside wet.
     
    Tony D, Apr 3, 2020
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  7. Seth Anthony

    Seth Anthony Registered Members

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    Are you sure it's overheating?

    When it shuts down, try to immediately turn it back on. If it's overheating it won't turn back on until the cpu has cooled, or it will only turn on for about 2 or 3 seconds before it shuts down again.
     
    Seth Anthony, Apr 3, 2020
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  8. Gerard

    Gerard Registered Members

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    Yes, that is exactly what it does. If I turn it on immediately after a shutdown, it turns off much sooner.

    So I blew in some air with my mouth. Gosh that sounds wrong xD It seemed to work, I could install the OS.
    But I think the problem will reappear sooner or later. Would you guys recommend a BIOS update, would that increase my fan control if I enter BIOS? Or should I simply invest in a proper cleaning of the interior? I will probably not do it myself as the the CPU fan seems to sit below the motherboard in my laptop. One would have to take it apart completely.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2020
    Gerard, Apr 3, 2020
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  9. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    It sounds like a clogged heat exchanger is the problem. You can take it to a shop. They may do it for free or a small fee.

    If you want to try to do it yourself, check out this video.
    It's not perfect but it will give you an idea of what to do. I'd like you to do what he's doing at the 3:30 mark. You don't have to do all those other vents. Definitely don't blow air into the speakers.

    There's a spot in the video where the guy uses a long blast and gets the internal fan spinning. You don't want to do that. Use short spurts of air in vent as shown at the 3:30 mark.

    Here's another video. This one shows a guy removing the fan. You can see where the dust built up. What you don't see is the clogged heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a bank of metal fins that the fan blows across to remove heat from the computer. If it gets clogged, the heat can't escape.
     
    Tony D, Apr 3, 2020
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  10. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

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    Hey Gerard, look what I found. Did you chew on bread?
     
    Tony D, Apr 3, 2020
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  11. Seth Anthony

    Seth Anthony Registered Members

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    The fan control is just a band aid. Actually, it's worse than a band aid as you're forcing the fan bearing to work beyond its rating.

    Blowing into the cooling system is ok, but it doesn't provide near enough air velocity to thoroughly clean the cooling system. Get a can of compressed air from Walmart and blow it through both air flow directions.

    That's all you can do other than applying new thermal paste to the cpu.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2020
    Seth Anthony, Apr 4, 2020
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  12. Gerard

    Gerard Registered Members

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    Thank you very much the quick responses guys!
    I will get a can of compressed air once the lockdown is over. Stay healthy!
     
    Gerard, Apr 5, 2020
    #11

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