Laptop probs

[Canuck]

    My laptop is scaring me quite a bit right now as at the bottom left hand corner of the screen is going black and starting to cover the green start button.

   I noticed it last night for the first time and closed it for the night. This morning it seemed fine again and I used it like usual. A few minutes later it returned. I closed it to go to work and upon returning it is back again.

        It is extrenely hot to touch and my screen is also almost blinking going from normal to dim dimmer and back to normal.

         Has anyone ever heard of this?

       -A very worried Canuck

[DazzaT]

It could be one of one of three things (and that depends on the make of your laptop)

Firstly and most likely.. Either your fan is blocked or bust, if it's working try making sure the air can get to it as over-heating not only damages your internal components but your screen as well.  If bust and in warrentee then just send it back, if not, you ucan get a fan from PC world for about £3-6 and fit it yourself easily.

Secondly is your Disc Drive... Most laptops today come with CD/DVD re-writers, these can get very hot and usually located in the left hand side of the laptop, even if you aren't using it, but leave a disc in there, the heat generated is enough to heat the screen so it starts 'phasing' like you described.  Whenever a search or location is required, it scans the CD/DVD too and the laser for re-writing is more powerful than the usual CD reader.  If this is the problem, remove any CDs/DVDs when not in use and only use it for a short while.

Thirdly (and not as likely) I you own a Toshiba laptop, the blue-tooth module is located in the top left hand corner and some older models have a design fault where if left on and discoverable, will run in a loop constantly, heating up, damaging other things (like the DVD drive) until it finally give up the ghost after about 9-12 months.

Any more probs just post and I'll try and answer.

[Canuck]

Thanks!!!

One thing.....where is the fan located?

[Canuck]

and if it is broke....should I stop using my laptop till it is fixed?

[DazzaT]

the fan is where ever the fan grill is on your laptop, some are located on the bottom so easily blocks if put on carpet or your lap.  Some are on the back.

[ifm]

Do you have an external speaker anywhere near it?