This document pertains to HP Notebook PCs.

Identify problems caused by heat

The electrical components in a computer generate heat, and fans inside the computer help move the air to keep the components from getting too hot. Excess heat will cause the fans to run constantly, damage components, and limit the speed of the CPU. All of these problems with high power and high heat will cause applications to work slower than normal. One of the main functions of the BIOS is to monitor the temperature and adjust the operating conditions. While the sound of the fan running all the time can be annoying, it may be the first clue that your computer is running as efficiently as possible.

To help your computer run as cool and efficiently as possible, do one or more of the following corrective actions.

Update the BIOS

After computers are released, HP may distribute an updated BIOS to manage the fan, CPU power loads, and other components. To see if there is a newer BIOS, you should determine what version of the BIOS is currently installed on your computer, and then determine if there is a more recent version available.

For complete information on finding your current BIOS version as well as instruction for updating your Notebook computer BIOS, see Updating the BIOS .

Keep air vents clear and clean

Notebook computers have vents in the bottom and sides to allow air to flow through the case. If the vents become blocked, the fan cannot cool the components properly. If there is dust in the vents, use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of the area. When the computer is turned on, place it on a hard, level surface. Placing a running computer on a flexible cloth surface, such as your lap, or inside of carry case will block the air flow and cause overheating.

For more information see Reducing Heat Inside the PC .

Increase the efficiency of the notebook

The hard drive generates heat when it spins at top speed to read and write data. The CPU generates heat when it is processing information.

You can reduce the amount of heat generated by the hard drive and CPU by increasing the efficiency of the notebook computer. For more information on improving system performance, see one of the following documents depending on you operating system.

• Improving System Performance without Adding Memory (Windows 8)
• Improving System Performance without Adding Memory (Windows 7)
• Improving the Performance of Your Computer (Windows Vista)
• Improving the Performance of Your Notebook PC with XP

Select a lower power setting for non-critical actions

Windows allows users to change power settings for non-critical actions. For instance, power settings can be changed to turn off a monitor after a specified period of inactivity. Power setting for CPU speed and frequency of hard drive activity can also be changed.

To select a Windows power setting, open the control panel and select the Power options . Power schemes range from low power and low heat states like sleep and hibernate, to high activity, always running states. Select the power scheme option that meets your needs.