How to cool an overheating laptop
By Lindsay Burnham / Laptop Repairs / • • • • • • / 0 Comments

How to cool an overheating laptop

Laptops by their nature can generate a lot of heat. This is especially true when in use for long periods of time on your lap or an environment that's not cooled to optimise performance. But when your device starts to overheat, it can impact the performance of your machine. In this blog post, we outline the causes, and offer a few solutions of how to cool an overheating laptop.

 

What happens when the temperature gets too high?

A certain level of heat is to be expected and is normal for your hardworking device. Being a laptop, there is less space for the components compared to a PC and heat can build up quickly. However, when heat intensifies it can result in a slowing down of functionality which can lead to data loss. Longer term this can severely impact your machine.

Your laptop suffers a lot, you move it from a desk to your bag, onto a train or plane and then back again. This means dirt, dust and bacteria makes its way into the cooling device which is exposed on the base. This dirt builds up and can eventually affect the performance of the cooling fan.

 

How to prevent an overheating laptop

The temperature of your machine should not exceed 35 degrees celsius. To keep it within the guidelines we advise the following:

• Keep the vents free
• Make sure your laptop is on a flat surface so that air can circulate
• Remove any objects such as dust or hair from the vents
• Operate your machine in a cooler room
• Use a laptop stand which will allow heat to move round your machine
• Put a cooling mat underneath your laptop

To clear the vents, we recommend you use a compressed air spray. This should dislodge any dust or build of dirt and create a clear path for the air to move round.

 

What causes an overheating laptop?

Running lots of applications at the same time or streaming video games or films can contribute to the problem. They affect the temperature levels of your laptop. Over time your battery will deteriorate as will the thermal paste which cools your device. Monitor the number of applications you have open at once and close any that are resource intensive.

The CPU Turbo boost maintains the efficiency of the processing core of your machine – but only when it is operating within normal temperature levels. If your device is overheating, disable this function. Disabling the function may see a slight slowing in processing but it should also see a reduction in the temperature of your machine.

If following the tips above hasn’t solved the problem, and you still need to know how to cool an overheating laptop, then contact us. One of our technicians will be happy to review your laptop, make an appointment for the repair and provide you with a quote.

Macbook - where are my missing files
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iMac Repairs • Apple iPad Repairs • Apple iPhone Repairs • Apple Macbook Repairs • Laptop Repairs / • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Macbook – where have my files gone?

At Gadget Rehab, we carry out many repairs to Macbook and Macbook Pro machines. We often see the same problems affecting many of our customers. For this blog, we review the problem of the disappearing act – where have my files gone?

 

Back it up

We always recommend the regular backing up of files on your device. Whether this is with Timemachine or via cloud storage or an external hard drive, this is good practice and allows you to reset your device to a previous version should you encounter any issues following an update. Updates to the machine can often be the trigger for your files to vanish from your machine so it is always advisable to have a back up prior to carrying this out.

 

Check your settings

As there are lots of useful features within Macbook and to be helpful many sort and arrange your files. This assistance may not be needed, and it is a good idea to check the settings on Terminal and Stack as they may have moved your files to declutter your desktop and other folders.

 

Trash folder

If your files are no longer visible, carry out the basic checks first such as looking in your trash folder. Items will be stored for 30 days on the standard setting which should buy you some time. If this doesn’t locate them, we would suggest carry out a search.

 

Conduct a search

To carry out a search, hold the command and space to open the spotlight functionality. Once opened, type the name of the file you are looking for and search. This should bring up a list of files which you can inspect further by holding down the command key and clicking on the file directory. This will take you directly to the file’s location. If the file you are looking for doesn’t appear in the list, then a broader search is necessary.

Conducting a broader search also known as a text search is by typing relevant or subject content into spotlight. This can be part of a sentence or a phrase you know is within the content of the document. If found, this will also appear within a list which can be investigated further by following the filepath.

If you are still struggling to find your files, another option is to purchase data recovery software. This of course has a cost associated with it and if you are not confident in applying the software can leave you confused. We would recommend that before you do this, call into one of our two sites, and book an appointment with one of our engineers. We offer competitive rates and an efficient service. Contact us to find out more.

Gadget Rehab Team Member Dan Tilley
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iPhone Repairs • Business News • Other Repairs • Team / • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Get to know the Gadget Rehab Team – Dan Tilley

For this "Get to know the Gadget Rehab Team" blog it is the turn of our Motherboard Technician/Head Technician Dan Tilley.

How long have you worked at Gadget Rehab?
5 Years as of November 2021

What is your specialist area of expertise?
Advanced repairs of electronics such as smartphones and laptops.

Describe your typical day at Gadget Rehab
Firstly, I prepare the devices and tickets that are assigned to me for that day so that I know should anymore be coming in I have the capacity to do so. Once prepared I then complete the tasks for the devices such as a screen replacement on a smartphone or a diagnostic on a laptop. For each ticket I will update any relevant notes and update the customers whether the device is ready or if we then have a quote for the repair. I may also assist with seeing to customers when they drop off or collect if our sales assistant is with another customer. During the day I will also order any parts that are required so that we are stocked and ready for any booked repairs that are upcoming. At the end of the day all my tickets would then be up to date. This means that either the task is complete, and the device(s) are ready to collect, or the customer has been updated if we require approval to continue with a repair or more information on the issues that they were having.

What do you enjoy most about working with electronics?
I would have to say that it’s because there is so many devices now and there is always something new coming out it brings on new challenges. It’s exciting how far these gadgets have come in the last 10 years and where we could be in the next 10.

What is the most complicated repair you have carried out?
There is quite a few! However, it must be a MacBook I repaired that was a newer model which has integrated storage and the customer needed the data. The board had suffered some liquid damage and we did not have any spare components and we could not source each of them, so we had to source another board in order to diagnose and repair it. Once I was able to identify the failed components, I could then use the donor board to get this working or at least powered so that we could back up the customer data for them. Fortunately, I did get this up and running so that the data was saved.

What is the strangest tech request you have ever had?

There is a few, but the most recent one from memory was a customer asking us to repair their broken iPhone SE 2020 camera by swapping with the one from their iPhone 6. Not only are the cameras completely different in specification but also the connectors would not fit if we tried.

Do family and friends always ask you questions about tech?
Yes, of course. At least once a week I am asked something technical, it could be something as simple as one of my parents asking how to send a document on their email. I also get asked now and again by friends quite technical questions whether it is computer or gaming related.

Are you Apple or Android?
Apple. For me personally it is because it’s what I am used to now. However, both Android and iOS have come so far and are very easy to use now.

What will be your next tech purchase?
I recently upgraded the graphics card in my personal computer and so the next purchase would probably be adding some RAM to upgrade it to 32GB of memory. The next gadget however may be an iPad or laptop as I would like something more portable but is bigger than my phone.

Which tech product would you put in room 101 and why?
The Samsung Fold or Flip phones as the repairability is near impossible and very costly. I like the idea of them, but they just aren’t good in my opinion.

If you would like to contact Dan or anyone else in the Gadget Rehab team click here.

By Dan-The-Tech-Man / Apple Macbook Repairs • Microsoldering / • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Laptop DC In Charge Port Repair and Replacement completed at Gadget Rehab High Wycombe.

Has your laptop stopped charging or has your DC In Charge Port been damaged or become faulty.

Don't panic your laptop may not have succumbed an instant death and Gadget Rehab may be able to recover this for you.

Laptop DC In Charge Port Repair

Give us a call to diagnose and repair this issue and hopefully we can get your device back up and running as quickly as possible.

By Dan-The-Tech-Man / Apple Macbook Repairs • Data Recovery • Mobile Phone Repairs / • • • / 0 Comments

Laptop and Macbook Repairs

Here at Gadget Rehab our technicians LOVE  completing Laptop and Macbook Repairs.

We cover repairs such as;

  • Screen repairs
  • Keyboard repairs
  • Port repairs
  • Liquid damage
  • Data Transfer

As well as;

  • Storage issues
  • Backup
  • Data recovery
  • Motherboard repairs

The above listed is only a short list of repairs that we do here at Gadget Rehab. Our team will be more than happy to diagnose your device and we never shy away from repairs and try our very best to help where possible.

For further information

Call 01494 534008

Email info@gadgetrehab.co.uk

By Dan-The-Tech-Man / Apple Macbook Repairs • Business News • Liquid Damage Repairs • Microsoldering • Mobile Phone Repairs / • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Turnaround times to suit you.

We have the best turnaround times to support all types of lifestyles.

Device TypeRepair TypeOur Turnaround*
Device TypeRepair TypeOur Turnaround*
SmartphoneAny RepairSame Day Service (avg 2 working hours)
SmartphoneAny RepairExpress (whist you wait)
SmartphoneLiquid Damage3-5 Working Days
Tablet Any Repair
Standard Service 		Same Day Service
Tablet Any Repair
Express Service 		Express 2 hours available for an addition £15.00
Tablet Liquid Damage 3-5 Working Days
LaptopScreen ReplacementSame Day Service.
Laptop or PCAny Repair
Standard Service 		3-5 Working Days
Laptop or PCAny Repair
Express Service 		Express Same Day (subject to part availabilty)
Laptop or PCLiquid Damage 3-5 Working Days
Motherboard Microsoldering or Motherboard Repairs5-7 Working Days
Audio Equipment Any RepairUp to 15 Working Days
Console RepairsAny Repair3-5 Working Days
*Subject to part availability and booked appointments. Updated 06/06/2021
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