TX2500 Recall?

[shizzuh]

I've had my TX2500 for almost two years now and have sent it back for repairs five or six times in all.  Lately this thing has been getting beyond exceptionally hot to the point it is not usable unless you attach an external keyboard/mouse because you cannot touch it.  Is there any talk of HP having a recall on this model?  I feel like its only a matter of time before it starts a fire under intended and proper use.

[UniqueLana]

I too have had my computer for two years and exactly a week after my warranty was up, I started having problems with it getting way too hot.  Also, my finger print reader and touchscreen would stop working for weeks at a time.  Now just a week ago it shut down and wouldn't re-boot.  I took it to a shop to get a diagnostic and I was told that my motherboard is fried because of the overheating, and I was also informed that there is a problem with the hard drive.  This is going to cost me $600 to get fixed all because HP refuse to recall this laptop.  If anyone can help me with this I would really appreciate it.  Otherwise, I may as well buy me a new one.

[S_Rouault]

If the lights and fan come one but no screen and a few of the lights blink the grapics chip probably disconnected itself from the extreme heating and cooling..

Lots of people have this problem. There are threads all over the internet, even how to videos on youtube about taking the laptop apart, blowdrying the graphcs cip to remelt the sodler to make a new connection...

It fixes them but I have no idea how long. Supposedly there is a specific way to 'reflow' the solder using spectial temps and times but really this problem should come down to HP taking responsibility for a rubbish cooling solution.

You are not alone..

[jtektna]

I got same problem here, it starting about 2 months. It 's getting very hot then dump memories and shut down. I think HP should recall for this issues or making some solution for it.

[Kissker]

There are many factors leading into this overheating nightmare, literally the HPTX1000 and 2000 and even 2500 series are the "Xbox 360 RROD" waiting to happen, same issue almost to the T.

Here's what happens.

The GPU runs hot, and because HP put a Thermal Pad to fill in the space between the GPU chip and the Heatsink - temperatures never really 'drop' the thermal pads do not do justice. Combine with a very cheap Thermal Grease and the fact the GPU and CPU share the same Heatsink - leads to massive failures.

The fix is rather simple - especially if it is NOT under warranty, and has NOT black screened yet (where the video completely fails to load, powers on, no one's home)

You need to have someone (or yourself) go in and remove the Thermal Grease HP uses, as well as the GPU's thermal pad. Clean the surfaces appropriately (typically with 90% rubbing alcohol) then apply a good thermal grease (usually Arctic Silver 5 is the most commonly known and good performance) for both the GPU and CPU the GPU then gets the Copper shim (DO NOT USE A PENNY - pennies are NOT pure copper, and won't do the job well) and then more grease on top of the copper (so it touches the heatsink with thermal grease)

*it is important to remember to only use a very-very thin layer of thermal grease, the grease is meant to fill in tiny tiny near-microscopic divots in the surfaces of the metals/chips so that 'no air' exists -and conducts the heat better then air through it, to the next device, putting on too much grease can negatively impact your cooling.   There are numerous guides on the internet if you need visual help for 'how much is enough?'

Very simple re-spacing and heat transferrence method. If you still worry about the temps (which should, on average drop at LEAST 10C) you can use a Cooling pad - ensuring it blows air into the GPU's intake area (when flipped over, this slot is in the Top Left corner of the case) this ensures fresh, cool air is pushed into the area that gets hot - and flushes out the heat.

** please do not quote -10C as a fact, that is an estimated number based on 32 cases I have seen done, some only lowered the temperatures 4C, some more then 10C but ANY temperature DROP is a GOOD thing for these hot puppies.

Honestly, knowing the REAL problem helps the solutions - as more are being developed as we get smaller fans/better cooling methods we can apply them to our 'older' devices.

I did my research, and despite the fact that some 90+% of these tablets fail from this issue - am buying my own for exactly what I need them to do/affordability.

I plan to go in (even if it has NOT video problemed yet) and remove the stupid thermal pad and put some high end Shin-Etsu X23-7783D Silicone Thermal Compound on for the grease, as well as a Copper Shim to fill the gap properly.  Total repair costs around $15  or rather total "preventative measures" cost.

Then I plan to modify/make a cooling pad that has a fan blowing directly into the GPU's air intake vents on the bottom - so I know it's getting enough air.

[sank_it]

now thats a solution i have been waiting for... THANKS A LOT!! will try it outt this week!!