Maybe if you think you might replace it in the near future just buy it either a usb powered cooling pad, or perhaps if you don't put the materials sitting on your desk suitable for building paper airplanes.

Be very very carefull if you remove the fan and its wires to clean the blade tips. Connections & threaded things are very fragile inside notbooks.

yes, i had it completely stripped down. even took out the MB. a nice pile of parts. I have broke down notebooks before. online info is nice. its a bulky machine. 17" i think? son wants a 13" unit. he goes mobile alot. not really interested in a netbook. thin is in. maybe try undervolting? supposed to pick up a few degrees that way.

What model toshiba????

Hi Folks!!! I believe that using a USB powered cooling pad would defeat the purpose here! Doesn't Plugging into your machine enhance the overheating? Maybe external power source for pad. Below is a link to a unique accessory that I found while browsing for cooling pads myself. NO FANS! Now that's spaceage technology! Don't you think??
bbbluz

Here is a link that might be useful: Xpad4Laptop

If a person is just using it on a desk, 4 clothespins work just as well.

Hi genes! Alot of people have mentioned the clothes pins! How ingenious!!! Tried it! Works great! I place my clothes pins to the front of the unit. This lifts up the front of the machine and helps to eleviate stress on the wrists,too!
I have used a stick that you use to stir paint. Just clamp the clothes pins onto the stick and the pins won't slide separately out from under the machine.
Have a great Day!! bbbluz

We always use a chill pad, you cant' even see it under laptop, has twin fans usb into pc..

I use a $10 retail grocery store cutting board because when I eyeballed it while shopping -- that little light-bulb switched on over my head and said 'Oh - simple. Exactly same size as my 15.4 Toshiba.

... used paneling nails to attach rubber paint coated pieces of short firring strips at the appropriate spots. My mind imagined a raised table, like a table saw extension for a quick slightly raised attach mouse pad.

Its been my real laptop - laptop desk for 5 or so years now. Nice handy carrying hole/handle in it too. I always just grab everything as a single unit to move.

Keep thinking one of these days I'm gonna take a doorknob hole saw an poke a hole in the middle so body heat between the legs escapes quicker'er too. The bottom of the board traps body heat. But no heat actually seems to penetrate downward.

I got one of these rubbery pebble looking sink mats to put on my lap desk to set my laptop on, it has the grooves between the pebbles so it lets air move and escape and it is made of a product that really holds the laptop in place well.
Plus it was very cheap, I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond.
Sink Mat - Pebble Style
So far I have not had any problem with heat.
I got my lap desk at Fry's it is made by Belkin, is sized for small or large laptops it flips to the appropriate size and has an opening in the center you can stow your mouse or cables in, I have definitely enjoyed using it.
Belkin F8N044-SLV CushTop Notebook Stand

I did not really notice any heat issues using just the belkin lapdesk but felt the grid texture of the sink mat would help improve the air flow.

Mikie, why don't you market your invention?? I'll buy one. Never could figure out why laptops don't have handles. Frankly can't understand why keyboards don't light up like telephone, cell keypads. But a handle would be the best!

Jane

the tough book does have a handle I wish more were made like that, they should all be made to withstand hauling them around. I love the look of them too.

Here is a link that might be useful: toughbook

They probably could but you wouldnt be getting one for $500.
You pay for their ruggedness, like $2000 - $4000 dollars

Here's a link to a place online where I shop,for ink check out the chill pad,and also free shipping..
never set laptop on something soft, block vents, these twin fan coolers really work love mine, but I paid more a CC before they went out of business..

Here is a link that might be useful: shop4tech

Here's a coupon code brings price down to $6.63 + free shipping,got e-mail from them as I am a customer.
CODE- JY17

Love that toughbook. Makes no sense that all laptops don't have handles. You are less likely to damage them with a handle. Laptop bags swing around and bang into things (mind does). With a handle you can move it around so much easier without a chance of dropping it.

Shouldn't have to pay $4,000 for a laptop with a handle.

Jane

I have a toshiba satellite, too. Under a year old, and it has overheated. I keep it on hard surfaces, don't block the fan, etc. One day I smelled 'burning wire smell' and the computer was very hot to the touch. Seems to be a common problem with the Toshiba's - I googled it, and that's what they say.

Now, I put the laptop in hibernation when I'm not using it for a bit; or turn it off, if I'm not going to use it for a few hours (and if I remember). Plus, turn it off at night, of course. Not sure what else to do. Hasn't overheated too badly since that one time, though.

dee_can if its under a year old you might call support and talk to them about that. Imagine you are still under warranter.

Think if I had a hot laptop maybe the first thing I'd be looking in 'Task Manager for CPU percentage use to see if something is constantly using lots of CPU cycles.
- Right click blank area on the bottom task bar and you'll see it, then 'Show for all users' followed by the 'Processes tab and click on the CPU heading a couple times to bring highest use to the top.

You might look for a program that shows temps,, one of the popular freewares is called 'SiS' 'System Information for Windows' shows the temps in it.

My Toshiba seems to mostly have a CPU temp of around 135-136F when just browsing around and a fan speed of 100 RPM which is its lowest & for sure quietest, cant hear anything.
I can hardly feel air movement by the CPU vent, not even on my leg hairs like my last Toshiba used to occasionally cause that sudden bug crawling sensation.

Mikie, you're right - I should notify Toshiba. I actually have a 2 yr. warranty with the computer store, as well, so at least I have that extended period of time to deal with it, if necessary.

I'll follow your instructions, and see what I come up with. If I need any help on deciphering the information, I'll let you know. : ) Thanks.

Dee