Do I need to be worried about this?
 

The hard drive on my laptop seems to be getting very hot very fast. Like within a half hour of turning it on, the bottom of the computer is hot to the touch.

So should I be worried or what?

Maybe, It depends really have you had this problem before, as most laptops donn't have a good cooling system. One of my friends laptops has gotten very hot, still works perfect though.

Also like alot of technology it can withstand continued use, and become really hot and still work fine, so I would say no worries.

Yeah, I'm just kinda worried because my friend told me that his laptop started getting real warm shortly before it died. Course his was like 5 years old and I got mine 6 months ago...

It sounds and feels like the fan is going, but it doesn't seem to be cooling any.

Well how often do you use it and what do you use it for?

Just the usual stuff, internet, downloading music, watching videos, playing the occasional emulator, etc..

Usually if I'm not at work the computer is on.

So, Its either a defect, or nothing to worry about, but since a laptop is portable i would take it to a computer shop for a check to be sure.

It's nothing to worry about. Now if you hear a soft yet repative "ticking" coming from it. Then you should worry. Warmth is just because of the laptop.

i heard some shit about dells starting a fire or something

i wouldn't worry about it, dont leave it on something that can burn

i saw this shit at office space or something that connects to your laptops USB and its like a mat under the laptop and it cools it, like a cooling station

look into that if you're really worried

Yeah, if it is a Dell and you have a lithium ion battery, go check and see if it is one of the recalled ones.

what's the make and model, you might be able to set your fan control in the bios as well, so we can explore these options.

It's a Gateway MX3228 Notebook.