I'm not sure how to do that.

The top is hot to the touch while running (just above the fan)

That's what I was thinking.

I recently started having my screen go black for several seconds here and there and only when playing STO or WOW. I hadn't cleaned my graphics card in ages. 

The top of what? It's under the fan sitting on top of the processor.

Trying something new...heh?

I was just saying that the top case (next to the keyboard) is hot

Is the air discharged by the fan hot?

That's what I figured.....when you crack it open, check the hearsink for the CPU and GPU. It's probably a fan housing, plate and copper pipe. Touch the pipe. Might just be an alloy block with an enbedded fan, in which case, touch it

I'll do that tomorrow and report back.

Although I assume that by the time I get the thing apart, it will have cooled down......

Not if you work fast.

Really fast. My first one went the same way. Only it was the video chip that overheated and took out the motherboard.

You only have to disassemble the whole thing if: 1- you really want to clean it good or: 2- You simply want it to be easier to work on. Take note that some of the OEM heatsinks are glued on. You'll have no way of telling other than the fact it won't turn side to side prior to pulling up. 

Each component should have it's own 'compartment door'. Unscrew them individually until you identify each component. You can than power up the lap. Be very carefull that you're grounded (touch and hold any metal part of the lap frame). You can touch the heatsink of the CPU and the GPU. DO NOT touch the memory sticks. Simply hold your hand close and feel if there is any heat radiating from them. (you shouldn't sense any heat).

Knock yourself out.

And/or burn your fingers...;)

2 compartments:

the top one is the 2 hard disks.

the one in the middle is the RAM sticks

to find again some day or year.

Use SMART. SMART can warn you in advance - it monitors read errors, spin-up times, etc. Most (all?) modern discs support SMART, look for utilities that read their values. I am surprised Windows don't do it automatically.

If you are concerned about a HDD failure, buy 2 (preferably same model) drives and set up a RAID0 (mirror) - if one disk fails, the raid controller will tell you, and you can replace it and replicate the data to the new disk without data loss or operational outage.

You have to remove the entire back section of the laptop to get to the components you need to check.  If it is too difficult then it has to be taken or sent to a PC repair shop.  Might be better in your case to just buy a new one, but I'll leave that decision up to you Tim. Laptops in general, if you don't have experience at it, are very hard things to open up.

That was the point I was making to yrag. In order to get at the guts of this thing I have to remove the top case assy. That involves disconnecting and removing the keyboard, removing the hard drives and the dvd drive. Last time I had the thing open, it took me a half hour so there's no way I'm going to be able to tell if anything is too hot by then.

I've been secretly hoping this was a lost cause.....have my sights on a new one.......

http://www.mpx.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=644705&cks=ASS&assoc=CD1DAD3B-0D82-4A06-9CF0-4DAF7B5CCDEE#extra

i7 (sandy bridge)

2x500 gig (hybrid)

1900x1080 full HD 3D ready

but it's over 2,000 bucks.......

Heavy bang for your buck.

He's already had it  apart twice, Tom. This should be no trouble unless as yrag said, the heat sink may be glued down.

I doubt this is the case. I spent over an hour researching his heat problem when he first had trouble and was communicating with RnD about it. In none of the forums/sites  did I see anyone who had much difficulty once they got the case apart.(fingers crossed) This thermal paste thing is not new, nor is it confined to Asus. OEM's is OEM's and you get what they give you.

Laptops can be notoriously difficult to get apart without clear, step by step instructions,and require a bit of patience and a good selection of cusswords. Kudos to Tim for giving it a whack, and succeeding.

  I hope this fixes things and it's the last time he needs to dismantle it. (Unless of course, he wants to for cleaning when needed) Canned air alone does not do a proper job. You can't get all the dust badgers out of a PC tower by blowing on it from the outside of the case, same with a laptop.

@ 2of3 : Suggestion:Proceed as planned then with the repair attempt, put it back together and if it fixes it or not, trade it in. It will run cool enough long enough to pass inspection, after that, it's no longer your problem. Buyer beware and all that. I'm thinking all that heat may have shortned it's lifespan by a good deal, but maybe not. It's your call.

This is beginning to look ugly.......

Some make it easy...some don't. Asus being the latter. The CPU and GPU should be to the left of the memory. A fan over the CPU with a pipe to the GPU plate.

Personally, I never advocate fixing laps with these kinds of problems. In the end you have more problems than you started with. That said, it's money (in this case yours) and a lot of time that may be for naut. There is a metal rim around the case, so you can start it using the power button post. Pulling off heatsinks cold is a disaster waiting to happen.

You've had this thing apart twice, so we know it's not dust and the chances of everything running hot is not promising. The chances of both the CPU and GPU having inadequate contact is minuscule.  If you're getting a lot of heat from that memory vent, (I still think it's the voltage-aka:motherboard)  I recommend you chuck it.

I for one play the odds and in this case, I'm sorry , but I pretty much think you're fucked.

Slap a red wig on you, a Kent Golden III in your mouth, and an Irish accent and you'd pass for my grandmother. She always had to get her digs on me.

I was trying to remain optomistic, but I can't argue with experience.

A burial at sea may be fitting in that case.

Maybe there's some software he could run to check/monitor voltages?  I know Intel has (or had) one, Intel Active Monitor, but I think it was just for their boards.  Come to think of it - maybe it shows in the bios?