I have the same problem. I also have a hp dv9000. It gets hot enough to fry and egg when I have an expresscard inserted. When I don't its just plain hot. I've been looking for a chill pad as well. I want one that fits my computer which is 19 inches as well. Have you found one? I haven't.
The 'prop it up so the back is open to the air" suggestion would be great if I wanted to use my laptop as a desktop. However, I want to actually set it in my lap and therefore all those fancy prop it up accessories aren't very helpful. Until I find a fan one, I'm using the insert in the box that the laptop came in. Its about as big as a desktop's keyboard. I place it so it raises the laptop off my lap or off any surface by about 2 inches. I orient it so that the exhaust vents are hanging over the edge of the box and they can have free air flow. It makes the laptop a little precarious and sometimes it flips over. Still my lap and the laptop are both cool. Its annoying but its the best that I have found.
I also found that I don't need anything when I set it on a big heat sink...like my granite countertops.
My laptop is brand new. However, is there is something that needs cleaning as someone suggested, perhaps they could suggest some details of exactly how to do that.