----- Original Message -----
James Ruby asks:

> What tests could I perform to be sure there
> is no damage from the time it was in the case.
> Nothing strange has happened since then and
> the computer did not feel "hot" to the touch,
> but it was quite warm.

Your best bet would be to have a keen eye for
symptoms and develop good useage habits.

Most of the heat is generated by the processor
and battery (even if ac adapter is used).
The few a year I have to get into reflect this
as hot spots on the circuitry, which I resolder
to correct some charging and display related
problems.

Here's a few suggestions that might help extend
the life of your laptop:

1.) don't plug in your ac adapter by itself
     as this will shorten its life. ( this is the most
     common item replaced on laptops)
2.) don't close the display with laptop on
     even if your display is powered down.
3.) don't move your display panel back
     and forth frequently, especially while hot.
     ( this may increase chaffing on the mylar
     cable joining the dc-dc converter and
     your display. (this is a common problem
     on Canon laptops)
4.) try to support your laptop with both
     hands when lifting. (this will greatly
     reduce flexing, especially on thin designs
     where the battery makes up most of the
     weight.)
5.) if your laptop becomes hot enough to
     start the fan consider relocating to a cool
     flat surface.
6.) as the battery gets older and less efficient
     it will tend to put out more heat during the
     charge/discharge cycle. (it should be replaced
     to protect the laptop from the added heat
     once efficiency has dropped below 66.66%.)
     Example:
     If a 1 hour battery provides less than 40 min's
     after a full discharge/recharge and runs
     exceedingly hot then it's due.
7.) If you use non-oem methods of cooling
     such as gel paks keep in mind a change in
     temp (delta T) of more than 10*C in 30
     minutes can generate condensation.
8.) if you experience irregular charging or
     humming it might be your wall outlet. I've seen
     this happen when more than 8v p-p is present
     between nuetral to ground.

-yui shin

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