Macbook running hot - fan on

[Rocksteadyeddie]

As I sit typing this the fan is spinning away. The Macbook has only been on for 5 mins or so.

It is a 2.26Ghz Intel dual-core with 2Gb RAM
I have only Safari and Mail Open
Activity Montior shows that about 1GB of RAM is being used,
Safari is using between 9-20% of the CPU, and is the highest user of the CPU, yet the CPU graph is almost full to 100% (if that makes sense)

It is running the battery down much more quickly than normal - which is unsurprising given that it is apparently working so hard. But on what? I'm confused. Any pointers greatly appreciated.

RSE

[sawman]

How old is it?

my white macbook runs hot - i suspect the vents are clogged with dust as its nearly 4 years old, gets well used and it a bit grubby. I keep meaning to get down to the apple store to get a new top put on as its all cracked, figure I'll get it cleaned out at the same time.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

sawman said:

How old is it?

my white macbook runs hot - i suspect the vents are clogged with dust as its nearly 4 years old, gets well used and it a bit grubby. I keep meaning to get down to the apple store to get a new top put on as its all cracked, figure I'll get it cleaned out at the same time.

Only about a year. Good shout re the vents. I will clean them out. The CPU thing is vexing me though...

[plg101]

Does it do the same with a different browser?

Can you see which applications are using the processor - either via Activity Monitor or using console/Top?

[tinman0]

Sounds like Flash! Find the flash blocker thing for Safari.

Safari only needs to see one small Flash advert and your machine will do a hairdryer impression. Same problem here, white Macbook for what its worth until i managed to block Flash.

Also get iStat for the dashboard.

[onlynik]

The OH's Macbook does this too, fan goes on about 10-15 minutes after use and then doens't go off until a reboot.

Think I'll take it to an Apple store.

[KaraK]

I don't own a Macbook but I've sused several and they have all "run hot" so isn't this normal?

[plg101]

KaraK said:

I don't own a Macbook but I've sused several and they have all "run hot" so isn't this normal?

Not really. My Macbook (2007) doesn't run hot, nor does my wifes Macbook Pro (2009). My work Lenovo runs far too hot...

[Rocksteadyeddie]

KaraK said:

I don't own a Macbook but I've sused several and they have all "run hot" so isn't this normal?

It didn't do this until recently, so no I don't think so.

[tinman0]

KaraK said:

I don't own a Macbook but I've sused several and they have all "run hot" so isn't this normal?

Nope. They should run near silent.

However, most times its just Safari running a flash ad or something. Simple as that.

[Blue Meanie]

Both of mine are quiet unless they are being used for various heavier tasks. Have a look at activity monitor to see if there is something running in the background. I run an anti-virus so i don't pass anything on to a windows machine, and it is quite the hogger.

[Zeek]

HID has the same white MacBook from c2007 and that has recently started going crazy with the fans. It doesn't appear to run any hotter than usual though, and the CPU usage is fine. iStat shows the exhaust fans running at about 6k. Seems to stop very quickly after closing Firefox. I blocked Flash on Safari and Firefox for her a while ago, so I guess there's either an issue which has happened since 10.6 went onto it, or the vents are blocked.

[tinman0]

Zeek said:

HID has the same white MacBook from c2007 and that has recently started going crazy with the fans. It doesn't appear to run any hotter than usual though, and the CPU usage is fine. iStat shows the exhaust fans running at about 6k. Seems to stop very quickly after closing Firefox. I blocked Flash on Safari and Firefox for her a while ago, so I guess there's either an issue which has happened since 10.6 went onto it, or the vents are blocked.

you sure that the flash blocker is still in play after the 10.6 upgrade?

[Zeek]

tinman0 said:

Zeek said:

HID has the same white MacBook from c2007 and that has recently started going crazy with the fans. It doesn't appear to run any hotter than usual though, and the CPU usage is fine. iStat shows the exhaust fans running at about 6k. Seems to stop very quickly after closing Firefox. I blocked Flash on Safari and Firefox for her a while ago, so I guess there's either an issue which has happened since 10.6 went onto it, or the vents are blocked.

you sure that the flash blocker is still in play after the 10.6 upgrade?

Yeah, stuck Click2Flash and Flashblock on.