Hard Drive Temperature

[felly]

My laptop gets really hot and when looking into purchasing a cooling pad, one of the reviews I read included this - "My core temperature is usually averaged at about 78 degrees C, today it's not gone above 50. My Hard Drive temperature sits at between 45 and 50, and is now down to a constant MAX of 38". Can anyone tell me how I can find out what my laptop's core (don't even know what that means) and hard drive temperatures are and also what they should be?

[ABerrant]

The core temperature relates to the processor (CPU). Laptop CPUs are usually rated to around a maximum operating temp of 100°C.

Laptop hard drives (2.5" 5400 RPM) are usually rated to a maximum of 60°C.

Both of these figures are not definite and can be checked against the specs of your individual equipment at the manufacturers' websites.

There are many simple applications which monitor temperatures, such as Speedfan...
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

[Buenchico]

Access your laptop's BIOS. To do so, press the relevant key when starting up. (Try Del or F2. The key you need varies, depending upon the motherboard, but it's nearly always one of those two).

When you get into your BIOS, all navigation is done using your keyboard (and not your mouse). You'll need to use the 'Up' and 'Down' keys (and possibly the 'Left' and 'Right' ones too), together with 'Enter' and 'Esc'. Don't worry, it's easy. (Instructions will be on your screen).

Somewhere among the options offered you should find something like 'System status', 'System health', 'Sensor', or similar. When you get there you'll see a screen roughly like this:
http://s2.hubimg.com/u/1431589_f520.jpg

Alternatively, use some free software, such as this:
http://www.vee-software.com/free_veesee/

Chris

[felly]

Thank you ABerrant and Buenchico - I am obviously not as comfortable with computers as you and your answers have made my brain hurt! However I am sure that given time I shall be able to work out what to do with the information you have provided. I love computers but did not grow up with them and my first one was built by my son who has a degree in software engineering and for a long time I depended on him. However when I progressed from a desktop to a laptop I decided I was going to try and sort things without his help and so far am doing OK. May be back with more questions!