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HP Laptop Overheating Question
DH and I bought an HP Pavilion Entertainment PC laptop in December when our old Dell died. It's running Vista, which I know is pretty processor intensive.
We don't have cable TV, so we use the laptop to watch videos online frequently.
The darn think overheats (as in, gets to 90C and shuts down) while playing video several times a week. (I started playing FarmTown on Facebook this week, and it also gets really hot doing that, too.) We installed Everest Ultimate Edition to monitor the temperature, and the laptop is frequently running at high temps (70+) with the fan on high.
We're careful to put the laptop on a hard service, and have been using pieces of a wine cork to boost it's back feet up a little more for extra air flow.
On the one hand I think, well, video is a pretty intensive process. On the other hand, this is an Entertainment model...it should be designed to handle it.
DH is wondering if there is something wrong with the heatsink. The sticker on the bottom says it is under warranty for a year, and we do have the receipt, so we are considering calling tech support.
Our other thought is to install XP and see if that makes a difference.
Anyone have similar problems? Or can you think of any other avenues to explore? Or are we just doomed and we should start saving our pennies for when this one craps out? 
TIA
Re: HP Laptop Overheating Question
I have overheating issues once every 6 months or so, usually related to dust. Have you tried opening it up and spraying a bit of canned air around in there?
If that doesn't fix it, I'd contact customer support and see what they can do as far as the heat sink and/or installing an extra fan for you.
Dust may be the issue. I agree.
I'm not sure if it really makes a difference for the computer, but I use a laptop fan to keep my lap cool.
That is one of the big issues with that laptop. I have one & have never had this problem. I switched over to the beta Windows 7 & my machine runs much better.
One of my friends had this same problem with hers, she sent it back to HP & they ended up sending her a new computer. It took a while though, I think at least a month. It sucked for her though because she was in the middle of school.
I would call HP if you still have the warranty.
Definitely could be dust.
Also, I would invest in a laptop fan/cooling pad. Just to give you an idea: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834998928&cm_re=laptop_cooler-_-34-998-928-_-Product
I'd give that a try (along with a good spray of air) before sending your computer back. I know it helped me stop my computer overheating problems.
Ps. I know this is pretty obvious, but shut your computer down every night. Works wonders!