Pro Tip: Overheating and Filthy Fans

mark

Hey there...

Those of you who were at the Werkstatt this year may remember my panic as I discovered my computer overheating like crazy – and giving super low fps -just before I was to give the keynote. It happened again in Mexico City recently, where I was performing with Miller Puckette. In both cases, I had to borrow someone else's computer to to the gig, which was stressful to say the least.

The symptom was the the kernel_task went to some crazy high percentage of CPU use, something the operating system does on purpose to limit how much heat the computer is generating and, I suppose, prevent it from catching fire altogether. ;-)

A trip to a lovely little Mac shop in Vienna recommended by @enibrandner revealed that the insides of my computer were filthy... so much dust and gunk inside that the fans could not do their job. 36€ later, my Mac Book Pro was a happy camper again. I was also happy to know that my Mac had –– knock on wood –– passed all hardware tests. As he handed back my computer, the technician scoured slightly as he said, "you shouldn't use your computer in such dirty places." Hahahaha! ;-)

One last note: this same kernel_task symptom could be an indication of a bad GPU... so good to get your computer inspected regardless.)

Just sharing this in case it helps someone else save a bit of time, worry and stress.

Best Wishes,
Mark

Skulpture

Wow that's crazy! You'd think technology these days would prevent dust getting in.

Very handy to know though. Glad it's fixed.

crystalhorizon

My MacBook is sooo dirty 🙈🙈🙈

Love this shop. Probably a professional cleaning would be worth

Woland

Perhaps this is why my MBP sounds like an airplane trying to takeoff...

mc_monte

Laptops are filthy machines. When I worked repairs and service at a busy computer shop, we used to keep bottles of hand sanitizer everywhere. They weren't for health and safety standards: they were for us to use after handling people's computers. Even still, the staff members were constantly getting sick.

The insides of computers are always caked with dust and grime: even the ones that aren't damaged because of it. We wonder why computers don't last very long any more, but forget that the everyday habits of the average human expose computers to some pretty rough wear-and-tear.

We once opened a MacBook that was filled with cockroaches.

Smartphones are even worse. It's more sanitary to let someone sneeze directly into your face than to touch another person's phone.

mark

@mc_monte said:

Smartphones are even worse. It's more sanitary to let someone sneeze directly into your face than to touch another person's phone.

I'll use that as one more justification for my continuing refusal to get a smartphone. ;-)

Best Wishes,
Mark

Skulpture

@mark said:

@mc_monte said:
Smartphones are even worse. It's more sanitary to let someone sneeze directly into your face than to touch another person's phone.
I'll use that as one more justification for my continuing refusal to get a smartphone. ;-)
Best Wishes,
Mark

HAHAHA!

Sorry for the pointless post but I really did do a LOUD *LOL* in the office right then!