My shitty alienware mobile is broken, help!

[Brikker]

So I've had an Alienware m7700 since November '05. After I learned that it has overheating issues the hard way, Alienware replaced the motherboard since it was covered by warranty. After that incident, I got a LapCool platform and an external fan and have been using those for the past year and a half. Since getting those external cooling systems, I've had absolutely no issues.

Until today.

This morning, randomly while playing an AV in WoW, the computer shuts off. Doesn't go through the process of shutting down, it just turns itself off, and then the fan in the rear gets extremely loud and starts putting out semi-hot air. According to the Alienware support website, the two fans located closest to the sound/vent are the two CPU fans.
After much hassle, I learn that this problem happens for (seemingly) no reason. My computer can be sitting at Windows with no programs running and still randomly turn itself off and expel hot air.

So, what is going on? This problem is out of the blue; I have not modified or really changed much of anything on my laptop for a year and a half, and the cooling systems I have now are the exact same as before. I've called Alienware tech support, but since my warranty is up they can't do much of anything. I followed the instructions on the Alienware online support and have thoroughly cleaned my fans and ensured that nothing is blocking the heatsinks or anything like that.

Anyone have any ideas?

[brekk]

Dude you're getting a Dell!

[Warrik]

It might be as simple as replacing a fan....but theres no way to know until the unit is opened up.

Get a MacBook Pro 17" with Applecare.

[Tripamang]

Try and get your money back, consider this a lesson learned when it comes to purchasing a gaming laptop.

GAMING LAPTOPS ARE NEVER WORTH IT, the end.

On a more practical note the heatsink for the CPU is likely plastered in dirt which is insulating in a lot of the heat. This happens on my system a lot since it sits on the floor (small desk) and I have to clean the heat sink off every 6 months or so. If you're comfortable with doing it (I'm unsure how well they have those things glued on) you could take it off and clean it in 100% iso-propyl alcohol.

[Zarcath]

Probably need to reapply some new thermal paste.

[Grave]

Yeah. Gaming on a laptop just sucks. Period.

[brekk]

Originally Posted by Zarcath

Probably need to reapply some new thermal paste.

for serious. i recently disassembled my cheap laptop to clean it out. Fan was going warp speed all the time.

it had copper heatpipes contacting the cpu and transporting heat over to a heatsink next to the fan. Except the heatpipes were just pushed against it, no thermal paste, or other compoud of any type. Granted its a low end laptop, for watching movies/tv shows, aim and internet. But adding a little arctic silver fixed it right up.