Civ 4 heating up my laptop!

[setonfire]

Dear all,
I am new to Civilization 4.

I installed the game and applied the 1.74 patch. The problem is that as soon as I start playing Civ the laptop fan vent starts blowing very hot air. If I play for 20 minutes the plastic around the vent becomes very very hot. Sometimes the computer crashes while playing. I tried setting the video settings to lowest but to no avail.

I also have Civ 4 Colonization installed which runs fine.

Please point me to a solution.

My system specs are -
1 GB DDR3 RAM
Pentium Dual Core T4300 (2.10GHz, 2.10GHz)
Onboard Intel graphics (X4500)
Windows 7 Ultimate
Civilization Vanilla 1.74

(I have attached the dxdiag file)

 

[MarkJohnson]

Unfortunately laptops aren't made for gaming. I can only tell you to make sure all the vent hole are clear at all times. If the air flow gets restricted at all, you'll overheat. Try the manufacturer and see if they have a BIOS update. A lot of times the update fixes these issues, usually by slowing down the computer a little more.

Also, it may just be inadequate cooling solution. Laptops have very small heatsinks to disperse the heat from the system. Sometimes it isn't mounted very securely and can separate. If you're knowable enough, you can try remounting the heatsink using quality thermal paste to help transfer the heat better.

I'd call tech support first, before trying anything, especially if it's still under warranty.

 

[setonfire]

Thank you Mark,
I guess you are right.
I was wondering if 'Beyond the Sword' Expansion might fix the problem. The forum has a few posts to the effect that BtS had solved some issues with Civ 4 (eg. frequent crashes). Do you think it might work?
Mark, why is it that 'Civ 4: Colonization' which is a more graphics intensive game runs fine?

 

[MarkJohnson]

Here's your support page for your laptop.

Lenovo G450:
http://consumersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/DriversDownloads/drivers_list.aspx?CategoryID=370748

Latest BIOS Dated April 30 2010:
http://consumersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/DriversDownloads/drivers_show_2884.html

I don't know why Colonization works better, maybe Civ 4 uses more of your CPU than video? I don't know that BTS will help any. I started on BTS, so I haven't used vanilla.

I'd make sure you install that BIOS though. It is dated April 10, but it says it was last updated on June 11.

Have you tried a laptop cooler? They blow air on the laptop to help keep it cool and help with air flow.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

 

[setonfire]

Thank you Mark for the help. I will try the BIOS Update.
Btw, Civ 3 is great for the time being. I can do with the dated graphics. In any case Civ gameplay is the 'in your head' type. Besides, I feel it is easier to learn Civ now that there are lesser aspects to focus on.

Thanks again!

 

[Danelius90]

I have a similar problem with mine. and I have similar specs. My fan makes a strange buzzing sound, think there might be an issue there
Plus I expect there's a fair amount of cat fur in there -.- flippin pets are killers lol
have to get it sorted

 

[Furiey]

I had the same issues with my laptop after a bout of dusting. The amount I cleared out of the laptop was incredible. I now have an excuse not to dust.

 

[setonfire]

Hello all,
Mission successful! Installing BtS did considerably bring down the running temperature of my laptop. However, it still heats up some, even though now it happens after more than half an hour of play. I play for 45 minutes, save and continue later.
Not a full fix but some respite.

 

[The Mike]

I have this problem too, but I remedy it by simply elevating my laptop on plastic coke bottle caps

The extra clearance allows the air intake to function better, and I've had no problems since, even in long gaming sessions.

 

[MarkJohnson]

lol - I did the same thing with my laptop until I found out they had a laptop cooler, which was just platform that raised it a couple of inches and had a fan on it that blew air through the platform that had a bunch of tiny holes in it. The fan helped cool it a lot as well as it helped push air into the laptop.