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m7700 heat issues?

post #1 of 14
2/17/08 at 8:18am
Thread Starter 
I'm working on this laptop for a friend replacing the LCD screen. I have done that, while i was taking apart the laptop i decided to clean it out. I took it all apart and dusted it out and also applied arctic silver to CPU and GPU. I had been using the computer on and off for a week now and today i finally installed the drivers and was going to install windows update when the computer shut down.

I booted up again and within 5 minutes it shut down again. I tired installing speed fan, everest, hardware sensor monitor so i could check my temps but none would read CPU or GPU. I searched Google and fond GetThermal i downloaded it and ran it, my CPU temps were at 44c-52c idle, GPU was at 60c idle. I noticed i could play around with the fan so i set it to user set and ran the fans higher.

After a few minutes the CPU temp read 1c. The computer did not shut down. I played around with it some more and then closed it, tried to run a benchmark for my GPU to see if that was the problem. Before i could even start the program the laptop shut down. Now here is where im at now.

I made the error and tried to reinstall Windows XP i thought issue could be software related. Problem is i cannot finish the install without the computer shutting down. The laptop heats up but for some reason the fans do not spin to cool it down. Sometime the laptop will shut down and then the fans will turn on full blast.

If i turn it back on and try again finish the installation it will just shut down again. So far i have tried flashing BIOS, Clear CMOS, reset heat sink with no help. Please any help would be appreciated.
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post #2 of 14
2/17/08 at 10:28am
if you can run GetThermal goto trip point & press original point
give it a try it might help
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post #3 of 14
2/17/08 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 
Well, right now i just flashed the latest BIOS i could find. I now i am able to use the fn+f2 to start all the fans at full speed. I was trying to finish installing XP but the laptop shut down again. Now i don't think it was a heat issue this time. The heatsink on the CPU is luke warm and the GPU also. The air blowing out is mild. Today my room is colder then yesterday so that should help as well. Does GetThermal write is setting to ROM on the motherboard? I'm thinking maybe it messed up all of my settings. That would cause it to shut down so quickly. Right now im trying it again, with one less mem stick and i removed the battery, its dead i don't know why i keep it in there. So far as i bust, i have completed text mode. No its on to installing devices.
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post #4 of 14
2/17/08 at 4:23pm
I use GetThermal to set trip points in Windows XP. It helps with overall system temperature and have never had a problem with it. Also, its settings are cleared after the computer is turned off and the laptop is unplugged. I would suggest running (from dos) a ram test and a hdd test. If the computer shuts down while in a ram test, I would assume you have an overheating issue. I'm not sure, but from my experience, GetThermal does not read the actual core temperatures in the laptop, but a thermometer on the heatsync. So you (and the BIOS) are only seeing the heatsync's temperature.

Is it possible you did not correctly apply ArcticSilver 5 and/or remove the thermal pads that contact various chips around the CPU and GPU. I do not remember exactly how many there are, but I think there are 2 long blue pads for chips near the CPU and 3-4 small blue pads for chips / ram around the GPU. Are you sure that these pads are still making contact with the chips around the GPU and CPU?
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post #5 of 14
2/17/08 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
I removed all thermal pads and applied AS5. I was able to install XP and boot fine using the fn+f2 to keep fans on. My first test was to fire up Prime95 and test, i did not use fn+f2. After about 4 minutes the computer shut down. None of the fans kicked in on there own. Does this suggest a bad thermal sensor?


Update: I just ran GetThermal again and my CPU, and VGA L+R read 1c.
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post #6 of 14
2/17/08 at 5:44pm
Just for clarification, I wasn't talking about the thermal pad for the core (CPU) but the pads next to it that rest onto chips (I assume they are some kind of ram chips). I noticed that those pads could not be replaced with AS5 without placing something between them because without the pads, they do not reach the heatsync.

Obviously, you shouldn't be getting those 1C. I think it is a little weird that the temp sensors on CPU and GPU would die at the same time. Did you use the motherboard BIOS and keyboard ROM from Alienware.com? Also, did you say you flashed the video ROM? Because you made so many changes at once, it's hard to narrow it down. I would make sure every fan is running (CPU, RAM, & GPU) before and after you press Fn+F2, that may help indicate which component is causing the problems.
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post #7 of 14
2/17/08 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 
I removed all the thermal pads from the GPU and CPU. I ran Prime95 again this time with all the fans on using fn+f2 it ran for more the 30 minutes no problem. I will try replacing the thermal pad near the power mosfets and test. I'm thinking that what ever controls the fans to turn on is not working. Even on a restart or cold boot the fans do not come on. Now i only hear them if i hit fn+f2.
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post #8 of 14
2/17/08 at 6:35pm
Are you using the Intel or AMD version of the 7700? That would lead me to believe that you are either using a slightly incompatible BIOS (i believe its the keyboard ROM that controls the fans) or it flashed incorrectly. When you flashed, did you get a flash confirmation before you restarted? If so, did you use official BIOSs from alienware.com? If you reflash, try turning on fans before you continue with flash to avoid shutting down during flash (don't know if you can easily recover from that).
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post #9 of 14
2/17/08 at 7:18pm
Thread Starter 
I downloaded it from a link i found here on the boards. I have the Intel version board is Clevo D900t

http://www.alienware.com/ftp_downloa...BC_1.00.07.zip

I was having problems with shutting down even before GetThermal and the BIOS update.
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post #10 of 14
2/17/08 at 7:35pm
Thread Starter 
I just realized that wasn't a BIOS update. I will go ahead and try the BIOS here. Since i don't have access to Alienware Support download area to get the BIOS from there. http://www.notebookforums.com/thread119600-33.html
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post #11 of 14
2/17/08 at 8:47pm
For some reason, I am currently unable to login to any support area. I have sent them an email and expect a response tomorrow. But I think i remember the latest BIOS is 1.00.06 and KBC is 1.00.08. But those should still work.
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post #12 of 14
2/17/08 at 9:39pm
Thread Starter 
I was able to install 1.00.06 BIOS. The Laptop will still shut down if i don't manually run the fans. when i don't run the fans I can feel the CPU heatsink heating up but the fan will not start on there own, it will just heat up and shut down. I have also tried installing Notebook Hardware control so i can throttle the CPU, but that not working either. CPU speed does not budge from its stock speed of 3Ghz.
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post #13 of 14
2/17/08 at 11:32pm
This is beyond my experience, as I am only a user of the 7700 and haven't had any problems similar to this. But to confirm, you have flashed the KB Controller to 1.00.08 or .07? I believe the keyboard controller effects the fans. I hope you find a solution.
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post #14 of 14
2/17/08 at 11:54pm
Thread Starter 
I have flashed to the .07. Don't have access to the .08. The person im fixing the computer for never created an account on Alienware. I have continued to search google for more info on this problem. I have read some it may be a mobo problem or heatsink problem (the little cable that connected to the mobo might be damaged. Not sure though. Thanks for the help.
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