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My girlfriend’s 15" MacBook Pro hasn’t been running quite as well as it used to. Most notably, the case next to the trackpad (where us normal typers like to rest our palms) is quite warm. It’s gotten to the point where it is nearly unbearable to use the laptop without an external fan underneath it. My question is this: Could this be an overheating issue that could be fixed by disassembling the laptop and reapplying the thermal paste on the heat sink? There is also evidence to suggest that the problem could simply be fixed with an SMC reset. That evidence is manifested in a short list of other problems: Charging indicator on screen not accurate Magsafe LED lighting up incorrect colors Occasionally not waking from sleep when the lid is opened Thanks in advance!
Try resetting the SMC first. If that doesn’t work you need to open the computer and clean the fans and while you are inside redo the thermal paste. You can us the step by step guides to assist in disassembly. You may also want to listen to the hard drive with a stethoscope as it could be going bad and is in the area where the heat is. Good luck. Ralph http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
