subject says it all - I have an X41 that I purchased from another forum member here that I've grown very fond of. Recently, it started abruptly shutting down presumably due to overheating (TPFanControl seems to confirm this). The fan is running, i've cleaned all of the dust out of the area, etc. I am guessing at this point that the old thermal compound/paste on the proc is dried out at this point.

I've found instructions on how to take down the laptop case (and I tried but it wasn't easy, got stuck and couldn't proceed at some point) but wanted to make sure that there is indeed thermal paste on the die/HSF that can be replaced and that it's not one of those "must replace fan - comes with thermal pad" type deals before I go at the case again with artic silver 5 tube in hand. Does anyone have any info on this?

thanks much!

Remove the CPU cooler, clean off all the old gunk from both CPU and cooler, using e.g. Isopropyl alcohol.
Use a can of compressed air or similar, to blow out the dustbunnies from the fan.
Stop the fan itself from spinning during this blowout, otherwise it could over-rev.
Apply Arctic Silver 5 or similar thermal paste.
AS5 in the size of a rice corn, spread out evenly on top of only the small CPU rectangle, is enough.

excellent. thank you!