Over heating I've had this laptop for almost 2 years and its always gotten really hot and shut off before but now, even with a cooling pad it will run for about 15 minutes and then just shut off. any suggestions?

Hi

its either a software problem or a hardware problem

normally over heating shuts down older style laptops

try using a lap top cooling pad

sometimes its a faulty hard drive

Try reinstalling XP windows again

cheers

1. blow into the intake vents with canned-air

2. obtain a 'cooling-pad' for a laptop your size

example of a mat-style cooling pad
Xcellon ChillPad Laptop Cooling Mat Gray Black

example of a fan-style cooling pad
Generic Mini Fan USB Cooler Cooling Pad 2 Fans For Laptop Notebook PC...

Sometimes, the computer gets really hot because the "ventilation" (cooling) system (fan, etc.) is not working properly. Normally, if it gets too hot, i.e. to an unacceptable level, the system will shut down. Or, it will catch on fire.
Yes, it's known that some battery will get too hot ... and potentially damage the system. So, if you already know that the cooling system is working properly, then try replacing the battery.

depending how computer savey you are, you could open it up . clean heat sink and apply new thermal paste to the processor. not too moch, but not too little

If you are sure that it's not the fan in question then you'll need to check the heat sink could be too much or too little thermal compound

If you are notusing your laptop on a flat surface, it may be obstructing the cooling vents onthe bottom of the laptop. Your laptop fanmay be faulty and not spinning freely, in this case replace the fan.
Check the fan and heat sink assembly and remove the dust, loosen the dust anduse a can of compressed air to clear away the dust. A laptop fanassisted cooling pad may solve your problem

It's either heat or virus related. 1st clean your vents with a can of compressed air. 2nd listen to make sure your fan is spinning. If these are all clean & working then run a good anti-virus program to make sure your laptop is not infected. If heat is still a problem you can purchase a laptop cooling pad for around $30. Hope this helps.

The way i see it you have 2 solutions:

Either go to your retailer and get them to dust the laptop and clean it`s fans. (You didn`t specify if it`s still in warranty)

Or solution number 2 would be to buy a special support for laptops.. most have 2 or more fans incorporated so that u get more ventilation. Of course that will not solve the noise problem really..

You also didn't specify how long have u been using your laptop as... with age they of course degrade and there is really no solution for that.

purchase what they call a chill pad... it plugs into a usb port on the laptop and has two fans... you set the laptop on top of it....

Robert

This could be a problem with your fan, whcih could be going out. it could also be the battery. check to make sure your battery is not listed on gateway's site for recall. last year a ton of laptop batteries were recalled for overheating and casusing meltdowns in latops. My own Gateway latop was one of them and got replaced for free because of it.

Also, I've found gateway laptops run a bit hot anyway, so I would buy a cooling pad with a fan or two inside to take the edg off the heat. it will increase the lifespan of your computer and mostare very quiet as well. Make sure you get one that is powered by USB so you don't have an extra power cord to worry about.