There are issues with my only work-suitable notebook, like the crackling sound from the cooler fan upon boot-up, occasional overheats on moderate-to-high RAM/CPU loads (at [1] more detailed description). This HP laptop has just 3 years of moderate usage. Can you advise on should I replace the CPU thermal paste?<p>Tangentially, I was also curious whether a thermal paste can also be electroconductive if used not as intended. Can a thermal paste, especially on copper or metal oxide basis, also be electroconductive?<p>[1] https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/723317/Optimal+repair+of+HP+250+G6:+overheat,+cooler,+display+frame#answer723320
Thermal paste usually lasts very long if it was applied correctly. Many coolers do spin up to maximum shortly after power on, at least for a short time.<p>Maybe clean the fan, but I mostly suggest to always replace it if the form factor allows for it if you open the device anyway. It may have a broken bearing, which in most cases isn't that bad aside from the additional noise. So it is strange that the notebook seems to overheat. Perhaps there is really some form of blockage which just needs to be cleared.
Is the battery fresh?<p>Does it overheat running on battery and/or wall power?<p>Do you have a plan if you loose/strip screws and cannot reassemble the computer?<p>Good luck.