Manufacturer Warranties and Protection Plans

[Anaseum]

So my computer's been going slower than usual. I've been getting a lower framerate when I play games. I tried defragging my harddrive, deleting any uneccesary files that I have, deleting any games that I don't play anymore, reducing the amount of start-up programs on my computer (now, I have AVG, Spybot, and Webroot running on startup).

I've looked at the underside of my laptop and noticed that the area where my heat sink and fan is supposed to be is dusty, so I will dust the inside of it.

My parents are worried that opening my laptop will void my warranty, they're worried that I might break it or something if I attempt to dust it. I must admit, I've never tried to clean the inside of a laptop with a can of compressed air before. Are their fears well founded?

They want me to take it up to Best Buy, but I want to attempt this first and if that doesn't fix the problem, then I will take it up there.

[Anaseum]

By the way, I have this laptop.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+FX+Edition+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Centrino%26%23174%3B+...

[Rrrrrrr]

I just use canned air to blow the vents out also. Aim it into the intakes (computer off of course) and then the exhaust area. My Studio I can just remove the whole bottom cover easily and get the rest.

[Aaron-GS Community Connector]

Hey Anaseum,

Although desktop computers are generally designed to be easily opened and maintained, the same unfortunately cannot be said about laptops or netbooks.  As such, I would strongly encourage you to seek the assistance of a factory authorized technician if you’re experiencing slowdowns and neither cleaning the external vent ports nor software tweaks have been able to resolve the issue.  Just remember that any damage you cause to your laptop – whether it’s a broken hinge, cracked casing, or condensation from a compressed air can being held too close - cannot be addressed under your factory warranty coverage!