Identify problems caused by heat
The electrical components in a PC generate heat, and fans inside the PC 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 the first clue that your PC is running as efficiently as possible.
To help your PC run as cool and efficiently as possible, do one or more of the following corrective actions.
Update the BIOS
After PCs 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 currently installed on your PC, and then look on the HP Drivers and Downloads page for updated drivers.
To locate the BIOS information on your PC, start the HP Help & Support Center, and look for system information. The utility will list the type of processor (Intel, AMD), and the BIOS version. To locate a possible updated BIOS, go to the Downloads and Drivers page, enter the model and OS of your PC, and look at the version number and date of the BIOS drivers.
Keep air vents clear and clean
Notebook PCs 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 PC is turned on, place it on a hard, level surface. Placing a running PC on a flexible cloth surface, such as your lap, or inside of carry case will block the air flow and cause overheating..
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 PC. See HP Notebook PCs - Improving the Performance of Your Computer for Windows Vista.
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 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.
