laptop over-heating

G

gib65

Member
I have a very strange problem with my laptop and I'm wondering of someone can help me.

It seems to be over-heating a lot lately, and sometimes to the point of spontaneously shutting down. This can happen if I have as few as one application open at a time, even if that application is sitting idle. I can tell by the way the fan keeps kicking into high gear. It revs like crazy.

One very strange thing I've noticed is that it usually occurs when I have internet explorer open. In fact, the fan calms down significantly if I open notepad and start working in that even if internet explorer is still open in the background. But as soon as I go back to internet explorer, the fan kicks in again.

A few things I've considered:

* My power cable is partly damaged. There is a spot where the metal fibres are exposed and a few of them are severed. This made me think that maybe the computer has to suck more power through the other fibres that are still intact and this higher rate of power might be causing some over-heating. I don't have a battery, so I can't really test this one out.

* My computer's insides might need some cleaning. There might be a lot of dust build up, and some of it might be clogging up the ventilation. This is something I can check myself (and I will), but I'd still appreciate some feedback if you have other suggestions.

* I had a virus on my computer a while back and I thought I got rid of it until recently. I recently found that it is still there. I'm wondering if its causing my CPU to be overworked with unnecessary (and malicious) programs that are running unnoticed.

I would very much appreciate any suggestions you might have. Thank you.
 
Take a can of compressed air and blow it into the vents to clean it out. As far as realizing you are still infected please follow these directions and post the logs.

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here or here and save it to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to
    • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    • and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version. Please keep updating until it says you have the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
  • When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  • Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  • A log will be saved automatically which you can access by clicking on the Logs tab within Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

If for some reason Malwarebytes will not install or run please download and run Rkill.scr, Rkill.exe, or Rkill.com but DO NOT reboot the system and then try installing or running Malwarebytes. If Rkill (which is a black box) appears and then disappears right away or you get a message saying rkill is infected, keep trying to run rkill until it over powers the infection and temporarily kills it. Once a log appears on the screen, you can try running malwarebytes or downloading other programs.



Download the HijackThis installer from here.
Run the installer and choose Install, indicating that you accept the licence agreement. The installer will place a shortcut on your desktop and launch HijackThis.

Click Do a system scan and save a logfile

Most of what HijackThis lists will be harmless or even essential, don't fix anything yet.

Post the logfile that HijackThis produces along with the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log
 
I'd also recommend getting a browser that isn't internet explorer. If you do have any sort of infected software, IE will be its first target as it is widely used and incredibly insecure. My personal recommendation would be Opera or Chrome as both are very secure and a good deal faster than IE. Firefox is good as well, but unless you really like add ons then I'd avoid it as its been known to have almost as many security holes as IE.

As far as the general overheating goes, a good cleaning can go a long way, especially if you use the laptop on soft surfaces often (Blankets or the couch for example). Which leads me to the next point. If you do, don't use it on soft surfaces. They block the vents which are your laptops only means of cooling.
 
Agreed all cleaning and such. But yes virus detection and removal sounds critical. If that doesn't change overheating at that point other ideas about why/what can be considered.
 
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I ran MBAM and got this report:

MBAM said:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: 5686

Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

2/5/2011 3:06:24 PM
mbam-log-2011-02-05 (15-06-24).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 157575
Time elapsed: 11 minute(s), 29 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Click to expand...

Doesn't seem like it found anything.

Here's the HijackThis log:

HijackThis said:
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 3:29:24 PM, on 2/5/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security services\Fws.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security services\AVG\Identity Protection\agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security services\rps.exe
C:\Program Files\hpq\HP Wireless Assistant\HP Wireless Assistant.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\vVX3000.exe
C:\Program Files\LeapFrog\LeapFrog Connect\Monitor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\bin\VersionCueCS2.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\inetsrv\inetinfo.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\LeapFrog\LeapFrog Connect\CommandService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft LifeCam\MSCamS32.exe
C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security services\RpsSecurityAwareR.exe
C:\Program Files\SolidDocuments\SolidPDFCreator\SPC\SolidPdfService.exe
C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security advisor\ServicepointService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\data\database\bin\mysqld-nt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\hpq\Shared\HPQTOA~1.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security advisor\TsaComHandler.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\SpeedFan\speedfan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Search_URL = http://toolbar.ask.com/toolbarv/askRedirect?o=101757&gct=&gc=1&q=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: AskBar BHO - {201f27d4-3704-41d6-89c1-aa35e39143ed} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {3041d03e-fd4b-44e0-b742-2d9b88305f98} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpWirelessAssistant] C:\Program Files\hpq\HP Wireless Assistant\HP Wireless Assistant.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Version Cue CS2] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\ControlPanel\VersionCueCS2Tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LifeCam] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft LifeCam\LifeExp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VX3000] C:\WINDOWS\vVX3000.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Monitor] "C:\Program Files\LeapFrog\LeapFrog Connect\Monitor.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O9 - Extra button: Skype Plug-In - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype Plug-In - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O16 - DPF: {9059F30F-4EB1-4BD2-9FDC-36F43A218F4A} (Microsoft RDP Client Control (redist)) - https://fmshah-server:8098/tsweb/msrdp.cab
O16 - DPF: {E06E2E99-0AA1-11D4-ABA6-0060082AA75C} - https://pc.mywebexpc.com/client/v_mywebex-pcnow/ra/ieatgpc.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Version Cue CS2 - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\bin\VersionCueCS2.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: HP WMI Interface (hpqwmi) - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\HPQ\Shared\hpqwmi.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LeapFrog Connect Device Service - LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. - C:\Program Files\LeapFrog\LeapFrog Connect\CommandService.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: PDAgent - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk10\PDAgent.exe
O23 - Service: PDEngine - Raxco Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Raxco\PerfectDisk10\PDEngine.exe
O23 - Service: TELUS security services (Radialpoint Security Services) - TELUS - C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security services\RpsSecurityAwareR.exe
O23 - Service: RadialpointIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security services\AVG\Identity Protection\agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
O23 - Service: TELUS security services Firewall (RP_FWS) - TELUS - C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security services\Fws.exe
O23 - Service: SolidPDFCreatorReadSpool (SdReadSpool) - VoyagerSoft, LLC - C:\Program Files\SolidDocuments\SolidPDFCreator\SPC\SolidPdfService.exe
O23 - Service: ServicepointService - Radialpoint Inc. - C:\Program Files\TELUS\TELUS security advisor\ServicepointService.exe

--
End of file - 7646 bytes
Click to expand...

See anything suspicious?
 
I don't but my advice on a virus scan is as good as yours. Wait for JohnB to clear you for takeoff on that. If he gives the thumbs up. I would ask the model and components, age.

I do have thoughts once I know the hardware.
 
It's a Compaq Presario R4000. Here are the specs:

computer specs.jpg
 
The only thing that I can see that definately needs to be removed would be the ask toolbar/software. You can remove that by going into add/remove programs and uninstall it.

I'm not saying you are totally clean but according to hijackthis and malwarebytes there are no visible infections. There still may be hidden ones. We can scan deeper if you would like.
 
I consider ask tool bar to be virus myself and many other things that are not by others. But that is not your issue.

You need a major clean and the factory TC has failed, starts failing within about 9 months in general. You need to spend $10 and get a tube of AS5 or even better ICD, others might even have a better suggested one. Then reapply.

A clean and TC reapplication will resolve your current issue 100%. AMD mobile CPU will never run cool but will get you back to how it used to be. Do this before the system craps out on you.
 
A RAM upgrade would also help a bit too as far as speed goes. If you don't have the money for it, you could always disable the fancy Windows XP theme.
 
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