running too hot without anything open

[ki99]

my macbook is starting to run at about 172-180F when i turn it on, without opening anything. i can't seem to lower this any way. i have held it up in the air (getting good circulation) to no avail. i can currently smell my computer, and i'm getting quite worried. it used to be any where from 80-120F.
please let me stress:
finder (and a couple menubar apps) are all that are open at boot.
i do not have any "intensive" apps open.

[ki99]

nevermind, i have figured it out.
the problem was "mdworker" indexing a bunch of audiobooks i just got. i just excluded the folder from spotlight, and my temp is back down at 120F.

[lakewoodlady]

Hi I'm new to macs, so how do you check the temperature on one?

[Dec540]

Smcfancontrol or alternatively you can get istat pro for your dashboard

[lakewoodlady]

Hi Dec540,
Don't know what Smcfancontrol is, but I downloaded istat pro. Great little widget! Many thanks for that.

[macluvr23]

Where can I download that program? My macbook is always running so hot, I'd like to keep track of its temperature.

[ki99]

temp in the menu-bar:
smcfancontrol:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id.../smcfancontrol
istat-menus:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/25230/istat-menus

temp dashboard widget:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/20364/istat-pro

[kersey84]

temp in the menu-bar:
smcfancontrol:
Download smcFanControl for Mac - Control Intel Mac fans to make it run cooler. MacUpdate Mac System Software Downloads
istat-menus:
Download iStat Menus for Mac - Monitor your system right from the menubar. MacUpdate Mac System Software Downloads

temp dashboard widget:
Download iStat Pro for Mac - Advanced system monitoring widget. MacUpdate Mac Miscellaneous Software Downloads

I downloaded smcfancontrol but whn i go to save my settings it asks for my ps of an acct w/admin privileges. well i am the only user nd i have the admin privileges. I canged my name/pw to try and see if that worked, it didnt. i went into key chain but i dont see anything that i need to change. how do i get past this point? please help!!!!

[iggibar]

if you are the admin, there should be a password for your name. make sure you use the right one.