Laptop overheating?

[jnelsoninjax]

OK this is a strange issue: My wife's laptop which is an HP, seems to be overheating when she is playing games (Sims 3, other low graphic games) apparently something in windows is causing the system to hibernate, because when she turns it back on, it says resuming windows, nothing about windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown... I have not looked into the logs yet and I did check the BIOS, and the only options in there is fan always on, which was enabled already. I am at a lose at what to do and/or where this issue is.

[Detection]

Crack open the panel for the heatsink on the bottom of the laptop (If you're lucky) or dismantle it if your not, and remove the huge clot of fluff that is more than likely blocking the fan vent

Possible some software on the laptop is set to hibernate when it overheats

Make sure shes not blocking the air vents on a bed or a pillow when shes playing too

[Skyfrog]

I'm not sure if the issue is overheating. It could be a number of things but a very common problem with laptops is that the heat sink will get clogged up with a layer of dust and lint, much like a dryer filter. Hold your hand near the exhaust and make sure there is good airflow blowing out and that it's not extremely hot. It may be clogged up and need cleaning; unfortunately this often requires the laptop to be taken apart.