My mac book gets really hot

my mac book pro gets really hot when its on is that normal and how do i keep it cool do i have a bad battery or something?

I do not recommend using fan control software as it can cause potential problems that seem to be ignored by most.
If you have a first generation MBP (a Core Duo model) the fans ran at much lower idle speed than the later models. However, if you have installed the SMC and other firmware updates released for that model then your fans' idle speeds should now be much higher. They are high enough to maintain the system at proper idle temperature and will ramp up as required to cool the computer under progressively higher loads. The design engineers know much better what they are doing than most of the amateurs on the Discussions.
Keep your room temperature down to 75ºF or cooler. Buy a Targus CoolPad ($25) and keep the computer on it while working to assure adequate air flow underneath. I have two MBPs that work just fine without any fan software - one of which is a first generation model. I've owned both for over two years.
If the computer is truly overheating then there is something defective that will require you taking it in for repair.
You can use the freeware iStatMenu - VersionTracker or MacUpdate - to monitor the temperatures to be sure they are within design specs. Normal range is from around 35ºC-85ºC for typical usage from idle to high loads. Thermal shutdown occurs at 125ºC.

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