Linux is overheating/destroying my laptop

[vitorgatti]

Hi,

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000
Intel Centrino, 1.6Ghz, 512MB DDR400, DVD-RW, ATI Radeon X300 64MB

I don't know if this is a Linux, Ubuntu or even my Laptop's problem, but I will explain what's happening:

There are 3 tests:
FIRST:
- Ubuntu 8.04 installed, proprietary drivers working/or not
- System is kinda slow
- I run the command glxgears
- CPU Temp goes up to 89°C
- After 5 minutes glxgears running, the Laptop shutdowns itself

SECOND:
- Ubuntu 7.10 installed, proprietary drivers working/or not
- System is a little faster than 8.04
- I run the command glxgears
- CPU Temp goes up to 89°C
- After 5 minutes glxgears running, the Laptop freezes and no button works (only force-shutdown)

THIRD:
- Installed Windows XP SP3, all correct drivers from Dell
- System is a little faster than 7.10
- I run the benchmark program 3DMark03
- I run this programs 2, 3 times (A LOT of HEAVY graphic tests are made, much more than the simple glxgears)
- CPU Temp goes up to 75°C
- Laptop works normally, does not freeze or shutdown

WHATTA HECK IS THAT?
Any help I'll be grateful

Thanks

[leisa]

- I run the command glxgears
- CPU Temp goes up to 89°C
- After 5 minutes glxgears running, the Laptop shutdowns itself

Any help I'll be grateful

Thanks

Well, since the sole cause of your laptop's 'thermal crises' seems to be the running of glxgears, you might wish to refrain from running that application.

Just a thought.

--Leisa

[vitorgatti]

I don't think it's a glxgears problem, because the laptop also shutdown itself one time when I was installing Ubuntu 8.04.

That's freaking odd, nobody seems to have an answer (already searched many sites) and I am being obligated to use Windows :/

Well, thanks anyway...

[leisa]

If your laptop is anything like mine, it's probably a ventilation problem. Unlike a desktop machine, these things are difficult to dismantle and clean. As a result, my four-year-old Toshiba has accumulated so much dust and crap inside it that it tends to overheat when the CPU is even moderately stressed.

In my situation, I have to ensure that I maintain plenty of airflow under the bottom of the laptop (around the air intake grille) to keep it from overheating when running apps that use a lot of CPU power.

-Leisa