HP Pavilion dv9820ea Entertainment Notebook PC - powers off at random, possibly overheating?

[Nereid]

Hello there,

 I was wondering if anyone knows of this problem and if there is a solution.

For a few months now my laptop (HP Pavilion dv9820ea Entertainment Notebook PC) seems to be really struggling to keep the fan going. I only ever use it on a flat, hard surface, never on a bed or chair or cushion etc...

On a few occasions I'd be using my laptop and hear this desperate whirring sound from the fan (while noticing it get progressively hotter to the touch). Then out of the blue the laptop would just power off, no warning, no lag in what I was doing, the screen would just turn black and I'd hear the "peeewww" shutting down sound. I tried to turn it back on to no avail and had to wait 10 minutes or so for it to determine it was cool enough.

On startup I'd then be asked if I wanted to Start Windows normally or in Safe mode, and it would seem fine from then on (until the next bout of overheating and shutting down).

I've since had to set up my desk fan next to the laptop so to cool it down sufficiently to enable it to keep running. I've tried buying USB powered fans as well but I went through 2 different unsuccessful ones which eventually broke.

The overall performance of the laptop is generally quite sluggish and slow, even after regular virus scans and defragmentation/disk cleanups.

What do you think it could be? I've read somewhere that HP did a battery pack recall last year because they overheated and could cause fire, would that be it? The laptop has refused to start a few times before, and I had to reset it by taking out the battery and holding down the power button with the charger unplugged (I think that was the procedure, this happened about a year ago so I don't fully remember).

The most likely cause could be dust build-up but I don't trust myself to open up and clean it. I bought the laptop in September 2008 so I've had it a while, maybe the heatsink needs replacing? It is quite worrying because I never know when it's going to power off next!

Not really sure where to go from here, I'll see what you think.

Thanks in advance.

[Spuddles]

Yea, I got a HP Pavillion dv9000.
Same problem AND THEN SOME.

My laptop overheats unless i hang the heatsink over the table, if its on a blanket or lap, it overheats in like 3-5 minutes. If it's on a flat surface, it overheats in about 10. If it's a flat COOL surface, it overheats in about 12. This is the absolute worst laptop I've ever had. On top of that, my battery "needs replacing" about 5 months after purchase so it doesn't last more than 20 minutes.

I dropped 1.2k out of my tuition money because I knew I'd need a laptop for school. Biggest waste of $1200 ever. I know 9 other people, NINE, in my immediate surroundings who have bought HP and have had severe problems with it. I know 2 people that are happy with their HP laptop.

You what your laptop's problem is?

The HP logo.

[twistedtap]

The same thing is happening with my HP Pavillion. It's soooo frustrating. Do I buy a new charger adapter or is it the computer? I am shocked to hear and see about so many similar issues. I guess I'm done buying HPs.