On Tuesday 16 Dec 2014 21:16:38 Randy Westlund wrote:
> Hey guys,
> 
> When I'm compiling something large and close the lid of my laptop (lid
> close events disabled) or leave it on the couch where it can't get
> proper airflow, it tends to overheat and crash.  If I leave it open and
> on a table, everything is fine.
> 
> I have a quad-core processor and MAKEOPTS="-j5".  During compilation,
> system load is around 5 and all 4 cores are maxed out.  My CPU temp is
> 99C or under, which is safe for this machine.
> 
> dmesg shows this every few minutes whenever my machine is at max temp,
> which I've read is normal:
> 
> [ 2092.018902] CPU0: Core temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled
> (total events = 179101) [ 2092.018903] CPU2: Core temperature above
> threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 179101) [ 2092.018906]
> CPU3: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total
> events = 227311) [ 2092.018907] CPU1: Package temperature above threshold,
> cpu clock throttled (total events = 227311) [ 2092.018908] CPU2: Package
> temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 227311) [
> 2092.018916] CPU0: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock
> throttled (total events = 227311) [ 2092.019864] CPU0: Core
> temperature/speed normal
> [ 2092.019865] CPU2: Core temperature/speed normal
> [ 2092.019866] CPU1: Package temperature/speed normal
> [ 2092.019867] CPU3: Package temperature/speed normal
> [ 2092.019868] CPU2: Package temperature/speed normal
> [ 2092.019874] CPU0: Package temperature/speed normal
> [ 2099.655532] mce: [Hardware Error]: Machine check events logged
> 
> At the time of crash, syslog contains a bunch of '^@^@^@^@^@^@^@...',
> but nothing useful.
> 
> It looks like my cpu clock is being scaled, but perhaps not being scaled
> enough.  I'm guessing the processor halts when I hit 100C.  Again, when
> I leave it well-ventilated it never goes above 99C and everything is
> fine.
> 
> Any ideas about where I should look?
> 
> Randy

There may be nothing wrong with your configuration, but something wrong with 
the design of your laptop.  Some laptops are not designed particularly well 
with regards to ventilation.  In the summer I have a desk fan which I turn on 
and direct it on the side of the laptop, so that air blows above and below.  
The temperatures drop by more than 10-15C in a couple of minutes.  Perhaps you 
should try something similar.

-- 
Regards,
Mick