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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Overheating laptop, should I try a lighweight distro - which one? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hello Penguins,

I'm looking for distro advice. For the last 4-5years I have rocked this laptop, MSI PS63 Modern RC. I have tried Debian, Garuda, Ubuntu, and now currently rocking Tumbleweed. Although I am statisfied with the current choice of distro, my laptop still overheats like crazy whenever its preasured even slightly, for example: doing updates, being on zoom for uni, or ofc low-end gaming.

I realise the laptop is old, but i really want it to last half a year longer before i start working for a company, which then will replace my need for having a personal laptop.

So, should I try a more lightweight distro or do you think the problem lies elsewhere? I've had the same issue across all other distros i've tried. I've looked at trying Alpine and MicroOS from openSUSE.

Appriciate any pointers!

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I have almost the same laptop (PS63 8M, without any nVidia dGPU).

One of the issues I had to solve was the touchpad spamming interrupts after waking up from sleep. It would keep one core at 100% indefinitely, keeping CPU frequency (and temps) quite high and burning through the battery.

Here's the fix: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=1865745#p1865745

This behavior seems fixed on modern kernels since I've installed Fedora recently and didn't have to do this workaround, but you can still check if this still applies to you.

You might also check if you can disable the dGPU in the BIOS (can't check since I don't have one), and/or play with power profiles either through Gnome or tlp (lower power profiles will make your laptop very sluggish though).

Maybe check if both your fans are running. I had to replace one of mine that was starting to fail a year ago.

Other than that, I've never had any overheating issues with this laptop.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I will definitely check this out, merci 🌼

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

De rien ;)