On Thu, 30 Dec 2010 23:45:30 -0600, "Monica" <>
wrote:
>I'm getting all freaked out from reading about heat, laptops and their
>batteries
And I'm guessing just the nature of the beast doesn't allow
>for easy access and switching parts as a desktop model does. I'm used to
>getting in there and cleaning house, replacing and upgrading parts.
>Frankly, I'm a bit intimidated by this new laptop. MUST keep it in tip top
>shape
I thought I came across an applet that measured my system's
>temperature but can't find it again.
>Dell Inspiron N5010, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Does anyone know if I
>actually saw this or not?
I've been using Asus-Probe, not on a Dell but on an Asus, and not on a
laptop, but I think it works on other computers too. I found it on
the web (not to be confused with Asus Probe NB), but if you don't,
I'll send you a copy.
>And another thing...over the years of listening to friends with laptops, it
>seems that the adapter cord, where it plugs into the computer, tends to
>break. Is it due to the curve in the cord and pull that might be on it or
>people pulling the cord out wrong? Would wrapping with electrical tape or
>using a popcicle stick as a brace and then wrapping it about 5" down the
>cord help?
Yes that would help. Wnen a plug fails, you can also cut off the
old plug** and attach a new one. It's very easy, and plugs are
available at hardware stores and their recent imitators.
Do you or someone you know have a voltmeter, a voltohmeter, or a
mulitmeter. Usually they are the same thing. You can measure
electrical continuity from each prong of the plug to each of the
copper holes at the other end, the end that goes into the brick.
Unplug the cord from the wall first, of course and the resistance for
each wire should be zero or just about. If neither is like that,
you're doing something wrong, but if one is like that and the other is
very high, or a digital meter shows a 1, then that wire is broken.
If you're not sure, cut the plug off and leave a couple inches of wire
on it, so you can reuse the plug later if it turns out to be good.
Where you cut, separate the two wire from each other going back about
1" (that's an inch, not celsius) strip the rubber off of 1/2", leaving
the copper underneath, and attach the plug by tightening the screws.
Some plugs go on without stripping the wires, but I think the cords
from computers are usually too thick to fit in to their holes.
>Monica
>