2008 macbook pro fan runs hot

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Level 1

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2008 macbook pro fan runs hot

My mac runs really hot, is there something I can update in the OS to help fix this? The monitor is starting to separate from the back (seriously) form the heat. I use my mac a LOT and I have two small kids so it's been bumped around a few times, so who knows if that had something to do with it and I plan to take it to apple to have it looked at (after I back it up this week) but was wondering if there was a fix for it running hot. It almost burns my fingers above the keyboard at the top if I touch it when it is running hot (if I have a lot going, illustrator, photoshop, dreamweaver etc).

- b

Macbook Pro 2008, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Sep 15, 2010 5:08 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 15, 2010 5:15 PM in response to Mediadiva

My MacBook also get pretty hot when there is a lot going but the it's a rather variable statement ..
One could have better idea if you were to supply temperature readings from a program such as istats menu or alike .

To my experience notebook get uncomfortably hot when their air circulation is somewhat not sufficient enough.I would therefore check my fans and exhaust blades to verify .But since you mention you are going to take it to apple I'd say just wait till you hear what they have to say ..

In the meantime if it is unbearable there are apps like CoolBook - SMC Fan control etc that allow you to manually set your fan speeds .I've had a bad experience with them as they fiddle with your SMC and your fans can get stuck at a certain speed etc ,,

Hope I could help 🙂

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Answer 2

deemaru

Level 1

7 points

Sep 15, 2010 7:48 PM in response to Mediadiva

The comp will only run hot if the processor is racing. Check Activity Monitor to investigate if any processes are consuming the processor. Be sure to list all processes, not just your processes which is listed at from a drop down menu of the app.

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Answer 3

S.U.

Level 6

9,595 points

Sep 16, 2010 3:07 PM in response to Mediadiva

In addition to Activity Monitor, run the extended version of the Apple Hardware Test to see if there is any problem with your fans or heat sensors.

Also, be sure that air can flow freely around the Mac and that air flows freely out the rear vents. A chill mat may help.

Good luck!

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Answer 4

Oct 27, 2010 12:38 PM in response to Mediadiva

I've had the same problem ever since installing Snow Leopard. Random high heat even with no system activity. One thing that seemed to help slightly was to un-check the "Open in 32-bit mode" checkbox in the "Get Info" window of Safari. This seems to avoid using the 32-bit version of Flash.

Another temporary fix that I found elsewhere in the discussions is to shut the MBP down, remove the battery and disconnect the power cord, then press the power button for 5 seconds. Re-install the battery, then boot. This supposedly does a partial reset of the PMU (Power Management Unit.)

I haven't had the problem recently (in the last week or so, knock on wood) after installing several seemingly unrelated updates. I have installed the "ProKit 6.0.1 (SnowLeopard)" update and the "Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 3", but NOT the "MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.4" since my MBP doesn't qualify.

My MB Pro runs cool now, except when Time Machine is grinding away. The updates may or may not have fixed the problem. Good luck.

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