computer keeps crashing

[Zoog]

I have a problem with my laptop. A few days ago it started to completly shutdown randomly while playing games. After a while it just shuts down, no error messages or anything, it just turns off. As far as i can remember it only happend while playing games... I reinstalled my computer to fix the problem but it keeps occuring. My computer has been running fine for the past two years. This is just an error that started happening since last week. I have it with Rainbow Six, Half Life 2, X3 Reunion etc.

With my reinstall i installed the latest drivers for my 3D card (Ati Omega drivers) so i think it has nothing to do with my graphics card.

My laptop specifications are:

Acer Aspire 1500
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
512MB ram
Ati Radeon Mobility 9600
Windows XP with SP2 and latest updates

Anyone has a clue what's wrong...?

[Autoload]

Fan could have crapped out or it's blocked with dirt/dust causing it to overheat and shut down under heavy CPU load.

[MindlessOath]

i too would guess the fan possiblity.
i suggest clean it out with air compressor. if that doesnt work send it in for service under your extended warrantee.

do a hdd test using an application i call spinrite - find it on the platoon i posted a link a while back ago. burn it to cd and boot to it.

[Zoog]

Cool, i think it worked. I used my vacuum cleaner to clean the fan  and it has not crashed while playing games anymore. Hope it's fixed now

Thanks for the help