Thursday, July 20, 2006

This is a guide how to fix a possible overheating problem. Note that I take no responsibility for whatever damages you might cause to your computer. It's on your own risk and warranty will of course void at this operation.

Anyway...

Some time ago my Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo D 8820 started to overheat and shut down everytime I started an application more demanding than Mozilla Firefox. Since the laptop was out of warranty, I decided to do some under the skin dust-cleaning. After looking around on the net I found some information how to open the laptop. It is not done by unscrewing the bottom, as one probably would think.

You will need:
  • Slotted and precision star screwdriver
  • Alcohol to clean the CPU with
  • CPU-paste

1) Open the computer lid as much as possible. There is a plastic shell around the hinges. This one should be bent carefully






2) Remove the keyboard by unscrewing the three screws holding the keyboard. Be careful so that the screws don't fall down. If they do you might have a hell getting them out of there. It's a bit scary to bend the keyboard, but you have to use a little violence to get it out of there.




3) Remove the processor heatsink. There are four screws. Remove all old silicon/paste from the processor and heatsink with alcohol.






4) Open the heatsink by unscrewing and clean it carefully. My heatsink was filled with dust and there is no wonder why the laptop did overheat. Put the heatsink back together







5) Apply new cooling paste onto the processor. Put back the heatsink, the keyboard and the other stuff the opposite way you removed it







When you completed these 5 step your computer will hopefully not be overheating. If it still does you might want to consider buying a new one. /Carl