Preventing Laptop from overheating & Expensive repair/replacement isn't in your budget!

Considering the Causes of Heat Buildup b> All laptop CPUs generate heat, and all Sony laptops are outfitted with small fans that expel this heat, preventing a thermal buildup from damaging sensitive parts. When a computer does overheat, the cause is almost always that the fan was either not running at all or was being impeded. The common situations that can lead to these problems are more diverse, however. The following sections detail possible causes and the ways in which you can avoid overheating. b> Checking and Clearing the Vents As the fan in a Sony laptop expels hot air, it expels dust along with it. Over time, dust particles may build up along the plastic vents that encase the fan. Thick dust can restrict airflow, causing excess heat buildup inside the computer and, potentially, overheating. Maintain the vents by cleaning them periodically with a small vacuum and a compressed air canister. If the vent is very dirty, the excess dust and dirt should first be vacuumed off with a small electronics vacuum or with the smallest wand attachment of a carpet vacuum. When only light dust remains, this can be cleared away with a few bursts of air from a compressed air-dusting canister, available at most computer and office supply stores. b> Checking Fan Functionality With the vents clear, you should be able to see and hear the fan running inside. Turn the computer on and look into the vents. If you cannot see the fan, put your ear to the vent to see if you can hear it. If you see or hear the fan running, the overheating was probably caused by dusty vents or one of the other issues described below. If you see or hear that the fan is not working, then the inactive fan is almost certainly the cause of the overheating. The cause of the broken fan can be one of two things. The fan could have experienced a mechanical failure. If it is under warranty, Sony should be contacted immediately about the problem. It can determine if the fan failed, and can replace it without rendering your warranty void. Otherwise, the laptop should be taken in for repairs at a shop that is authorized to work on Sony laptops. Another potential problem could be with the system software that controls the fan. If your laptop is brand new, this could easily be the real issue. If overheating began shortly after installing a new operating system, editing the system registry or installing other software, it could be that the fan regulating software was affected. If your computer began overheating out of the blue and no major changes were recently made, this is not likely to be the cause. Reinstalling the operating system or reformatting the hard disks, while drastic, can typically correct issues of this type. b> Evaluating Environmental Heat If you use a Sony laptop in an exceptionally warm environment, you may experience overheating. High environmental heat will eventually take its toll on the exhaust fan's ability to effectively expel heat. If you've been in a warm room every time your laptop has overheated, this is probably contributing to the problem, if not causing it altogether. Avoid using Sony laptops in direct sunlight on hot days, in hot vehicles and directly next to or on top of heat sources. b> Checking for Other Obstructions b> Since laptops can go anywhere, they're often used on a variety of surfaces, laps included. Sometimes these surfaces can actually obstruct the fan vents. A laptop balanced on a lap may overheat if the knee is placed directly under the vents; the same may happen if the laptop is used on a pillow, towel, bed or blanket. Some retailers sell decorative laptop covers that can block the vents and help trap heat in laptops. These should generally be avoided, or should at least be removed before turning on the computer.
Over time, dust builds up within the blades of the fan and the copper heat sinks that distribute the air. This causes the the computer to heat even faster. To keep this from happening, clean the fans in your laptop regularly so they will cool it down faster. WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL. http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source. Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer. While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards Don't wipe away the dust with your own hands. Use a cotton tip or air to remove it. Unplug the laptop. Disconnect its AC connector. Remove the battery. This prevents any electric shocks while working on the computer. Turn the computer upside down. Unscrew and remove the computer's RAM cover. That makes sure it isn't in the way. This is located behind the battery crevice. Remember each screw and where it was located, then store the screws somewhere safe. Remove the main plastic cover over the vents. Remove the ducts and covers that are on the laptop's two fans. These are the metal covers over the wide cylinder surrounding the fans, and they are held in place by very tiny screws. You need a number one screwdriver. Remove the screws very carefully so as not to lose them, especially anywhere within the laptop's interior. Wipe or blow away all dust collected on the fan blades and the fan's copper heat sinks. Compressed air will work best as long as you don't send the dust anywhere else within the laptop's interior. If you don't have a compressed air blower, wipe away the dust with a cotton swab. Place and screw the ducts and covers back on the fans. Re-attach all covers on the laptop and connect the battery.
Check you CPU make sure its securely seated and has thermal grease http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermal-Compound-Roundup-February-2012/1490

Could be due to the system overheating; does it run hot?
Try using it on a hard flat surface to see if it runs better, allowing better airflow around the machine and check the fan is running, you should be able to hear it.
If it's overheating, it will shut down to prevent heat damage. Overheating can be very destructive to pc components. You'll need to open the case to get to the heatsink, fan and vents. Remove the fan and heatsink and clean. Clean all the vents with vac or compressed air. Apply a little thermal paste to the processor and replace the heatsink and fan.

Few things in life are as frustrating and infuriating as working ******* your laptop, only to see the screen go dark due to a sudden power loss. While there's a good chance your hard work and data is gone, the more concerning issue involves the cause of the sudden loss of laptop power. A suddenly dead laptop could indicate a more serious problem, or simply be due to a loose battery or power cord.

Overheating

If your laptop's fan was running hard and fast right before your laptop went dead, it's possible the machine shut itself down to avoid damage from overheating. The internal electronic components of a laptop generate heat when the computer is turned on, and this heat must vent to avoid causing damage to the machine. If the air vents are clogged or blocked and the heat inside cannot dissipate, the laptop will power down without warning to prevent possible damage. To avoid this problem, ensure that your laptop's fans and air vents are clean and clear, or use a laptop cooling stand to help vent the heat.
Battery Issues

Laptop batteries are not exempt from malfunctions, and a sudden power loss may point to a problematic battery. A loose connection may cause a surprise laptop death, as can dirty connectors. Like most other battery types, laptop batteries are not immortal and eventually lose the ability to hold a charge for long. Some laptops have sensors and circuitry to monitor the battery, and will cut power to and from it should it become too hot or exhibit too high a current. Try cleaning the connectors and reseating the battery properly to fix the problem. In the event of a loose connection, a repair technician may be your best course. For malfunctioning batteries, a new replacement battery may be the best way to prevent future power failures.
Electrical Problems

If you were using your AC adapter for power right before your laptop powered off, there may be an electrical problem somewhere along the line. The outlet you were plugged into may have short circuited, or the adapter itself may have overloaded. The connector on the back of your laptop may be loose, preventing proper connection of the adapter. A short circuit within the laptop itself may have occurred, preventing either the battery or adapter from providing power to the rest of the electronics. Work backwards to find the source of the power supply problem. Try a different electronic device in the outlet, and insert the adapter itself into a different outlet. Reinsert the various cord ends into the adapter and laptop to ensure a tight connection. If a short circuit seems the likely cause, seek the help of a professional technician for repair.
Troubleshooting

Try to ascertain what occurred right before the power loss. A physical move of the laptop may have loosened the battery or jostled the adapter cord loose. Try removing and then reseating the battery and tightening the adapter cord. A loud fan noise may indicate that the machine was on the verge of overheating. Let the machine cool completely before attempting to reboot. An unusual noise emanating from within your laptop may indicate a short circuit. A beverage spill can cause the death of an laptop if not attended to quickly, causing short circuits and power failure.
Precautions

Observe standard safety procedures when dealing with electricity, and never disassemble or examine an outlet or your laptop without disconnecting all power first. If delving into your laptop to check for short circuits and loose connections, work in a clean, open area to avoid introducing any new contaminants to your laptop's vulnerable interior.


Read more: My Laptop Suddenly Has No Power ' eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_10023896_laptop-suddenly-power.html#ixzz1XFwtBENN

Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent inkdrying out in the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages,then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer thanreplace the print head.

It may be due to overheating. Make sure all air vents are clear of dust. Check that the internal fan is working - usually located under the keyboard. The fan should usually ony come on intermittently, first when you boot up, then intermittently in Windows when the processor is working hard. If the fan is on all the time and especially if it is running fast then your processor is overheating.

If you go into the bios setup and the laptop resets within a few minutes with the fan running fast then you have a definite processor overheating problem. This may be a faulty processor or a fault on the motherboard.