8.1 cursor freezes, touchpad doesn't respond, lap runs hot and fan is noisy

sipp · ‎03-10-2010

I'm about ready to tell Microsoft where they can put this 8.1 travesty- it's almost as bad as vista or millennium! things pop up for no reason and I've been trying to work on this to make sure things work while I still have time to send it back if need be-- I've searched microsofts forums among others. Is anyone else having these problems ( I do have a lap "pad" but my old dell never ran this hot and the fan just turned on and was noisy- never noticed that before and every day something new. Since a lot of searching has found many similar complaints I'm not sure it's my laptop but I can't afford to keep it if it really is a clunker. Anyone here having the same problems?

My old Dell's screen frame cracked and the screws were stripped -the hinge cover also broke but it still runs for now- Does anyone know where I could get a screen frame for a Dell Inspiron 1525 reasonable-- it's old but still running and Dell doesn't have them ( AND I have Windows 7 on it --- Why oh why do they "fix" things that ain't broke???

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

If your computer is running hot, it isn't the fault of Windows 8.1. A computer running hot is a hardware issue or you have the vents blocked. A cooling pad isn't enough if the vents are on the bottom of the computer. It could also be the processor or one of the internal fans isn't working properly. Do yourself a favor and send it back.

Campion · ‎10-21-2011

If the fan is noisy AND the laptop is hot, it's possible that the heat sink is defective or the fan is defective. The new CPU's give off a lot of heat. Laptops are quite difficult to keep cool. Check the airvents and make sure they are completely clear of dust and obstructions. It may help but probably not.

If it's under warranty, get it fixed or replaced. I've found that new laptops are a mess--got a new one and the Wifi card was toast on arrival--intermittantly, the worst kind of problem. I can replace it but it's clear new pc's are a mess.

I hate Win 8.1 too. I used a program to emulate Win 7.

VolvoGirl · ‎07-21-2010

My husband just got a new HP laptop touchscreen with 8.1. Sounds like the same suff that happened on ours. Was running a lot and hanging up until I was able to uninstall the trial antivirus (think it was Mcafee?) and put my own program on it.

Also because it was new I think it had a LOT of Windows Updates to download and install. There were some big updates. Once I got that squared away and caught up it settled down. We love it! But it was running a lot and getting hot.

nomless · ‎03-10-2010

Running hot sounds like a hardware issue not 8.1. I love 8.1 . I have had no issues an my computer isn't hot.

nomless · ‎03-10-2010

Dupe.

nomless · ‎03-10-2010

Dupe.

Iambeezer · ‎01-10-2013

How about telling us what laptop you have. I mean, c'mon. If it's an older laptop running 8.1 then DUH the hardware is trying to keep up with new technology. Your old dell didn't run hot because your old dell is probably running xp or 7 that doesn't have memory and cpu demands like 8.1. But then again, how the heck can anyone be helped if they always leave out the important info, ya know, like the computer it's happening on.

sipp · ‎03-10-2010

First off I doubt the 8.1 is causing the heat and noisy fan--- I was venting on Microsofts latest "improvements" (not)----- But aside from ordering direct with Windows 7- I figured it's the wave of the future- so I got 8.1 >:

As for leaving out information- DUH! I thought it might be somewhat obvious that this is a new computer (less than 3 weeks in use) because I did say I needed some input so I would still have time to send it back--- yeah I know- "don't order from the Q" but I have shopped around - it was what I was looking for and no-one including building from scratch could give it to me for the price Yeah, it has a lot of junk programs- I didn't bother loading.

Just today I went to Best Buy and queried some geeks- then took a look at their offerings- not even close. SO that said- it's a new DELL with AMD 8 quad core processor - one of the TSV's. I have done online searches and it seems that the AMD processor may be the culprit- I should have stuck with the intel which I've had in the past. I know from experience if I sent it to Dell for "fixing" they'll use refurbished replacements- they've done that just about forever--- And I'm sure the other companies do too- but my thoughts on that are I paid for new - not refurbisheds ( although a desktop I had years ago is Still running though sadly, unable to upgrade anymore -it's a dinosaur and it was refurbished when I got it)

For those that have an HP-- I also tried -- for some reason the keys gave me a problem- not enough "bounce" I had to press harder on them and I have a problem with that. I type fast and couldn't get used to it. ( MY cousin had one- so I tried his out)

I find it a little odd that McAfee could cause so many problems especially running hot- it certainly isn't my choice for protections but I didn't want to make a ton of changes if this didn't work out. Maybe I will dump it and see ( I had planned to anyhow).

VolvoGirl · ‎07-21-2010

Well I think the main reason was all the Windows updates it needed to do right away. That made it run for a long time. Didn't even know that was going on (or trying to go on) in the background. Once my husband got out of the house and I could spend all day working on it I got it calmed down. He was ready to take it back. Plus there was the learning curve with Win 8.1 and using the touchscreen on it. And the first thing he put on it was Start is Back program which I don't think he really needed since 8.1 improved that area.