Acer Aspire 5000 overheating

My Acer Aspire 5000 has suddenly started shutting down from
overeheating. It has been fine until recently and now it has become a
major problem.
1) I know its overheating because I run MobileMeter and see the
temperature climb from 45C to
~97C and then it shutsdown.
2) The problem is definitely related to CPU load. If CPU is below 30%
there are no problems. When
CPU is at 100% it shutsdown in 5 minutes.
I opened the case and cleaned the fan in the Thermal Module. This
helped slightly, ie it lasts a few more minutes. I tried using a
chillpad, Targa Tornado. Again this helped slightly I gave me a few
more minutes. but not good enough.

I suspect the Thermal module, 60.A51V7.005, may not be transfering heat
from the processor, possibly because of corrosion, dirt or maybe drying
our of thermal grease. Perhaps the thermal module has gone bad (the fan
seems to be running ok)

Can anyone tell me how to remove the Thermal Module show I can check
it? Does it use thermal grease between the module and processor? Where
can I get some? Does anyone have a similar problem? Any ideas?

On Dec 31 2006, 11:38 am, "c-cubed" wrote:
MyAcerAspire 5000 has suddenly started shutting down from
overeheating. It has been fine until recently and now it has become a
major problem.
1) I know itsoverheatingbecause I run MobileMeter and see the
temperature climb from 45C to
~97C and then it shutsdown.
2) The problem is definitely related to CPU load. If CPU is below 30%
there are no problems. When
CPU is at 100% it shutsdown in 5 minutes.
I opened the case and cleaned the fan in the Thermal Module. This
helped slightly, ie it lasts a few more minutes. I tried using a
chillpad, Targa Tornado. Again this helped slightly I gave me a few
more minutes. but not good enough.

I suspect the Thermal module, 60.A51V7.005, may not be transfering heat
from the processor, possibly because of corrosion, dirt or maybe drying
our of thermal grease. Perhaps the thermal module has gone bad (the fan
seems to be running ok)

Can anyone tell me how to remove the Thermal Module show I can check
it? Does it use thermal grease between the module and processor? Where
can I get some? Does anyone have a similar problem? Any ideas?

Problem solved. It was the thermal module. After much searching, I
couldn't find any instructions on disassembling the Acer 5000, so I
had to take it to a local shop, http://speedpc.com. I bought a new
thermal module on the web and took the machine and new thermal unit
into these guys. They did a great job!!!! Quick inexpensive and
professionally done. Not attemptiong it myself was a smart choice.

I had them save the old thermal unit. I was really curious. I couldn't
figure out how a fan,copper pipe and radiator could suddenly break.

When I got the a good look at the old thermal unit it was obvious. The
unit had a large bur on the pad that connected the heat pipe to the
top of the processor. It was a miracle it ever worked. There must have
been some small mechcanical shift that caused the bur to open an air
gap between the pad and the processor. No metal on metal contact. No
heat transfer. Processor overheats and shuts off.

Laptop processors run very hot ~95C. Any small defect in the cooling
module will cause them to shut off.