Laptop Overheating and shutting down

Hi all.

Here are my specs:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
System Model G73Sw
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00GHz, 2001 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. G73Sw.205, 2/10/2011
SMBIOS Version 2.6
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 7.98 GB
Available Physical Memory 5.10 GB
Total Virtual Memory 16.0 GB
Available Virtual Memory 12.4 GB

My laptop has recently been overheating and sometimes completely shutting down.  Idle it runs about 60 c, with moderate load it goes up to 80c and with heavy load ie Guildwars 2 it hits a high of 100 degrees.  The laptop sits on a wooden desk with plenty of ventilation and the room temp is about 72c.

No clue on how to address this heat issue.  Anyone any ideas?

Thanks.

When I have had my computers overheat, the most likely reason was always that my cooling ribs where covered in dust.

How to clean your laptop's cooling fans

You don't write the brand/model of your laptop, but try and make a google search on that model and clean cooling fans for the most accurate instructions.

Cleaning is important, but make sure the fan is even working. Can't count the number of jobs I've done that had dead laptop fans.

I've cleaned out my fans on my laptop and that seems to have fixed it.  It's running steady at 70c with a high of 79c.  Thank you all for all your help!

you may want to invest in a laptop cooling pad as well. 70-79c seems awfully high.

I think the main issue is that the room you're in is 72 c!

But seriously, I would have suggested cleaning the fans. Sounds like it worked, and that's good to hear.

Awesome, glad it worked out and as others have suggested, those pads can provide some extra needed cooling.

Wait room temp is 72C? Damn that room IS hot. I lived in Phoenix for several years and I still can't imagine 160F (72C)!

Be nice guys, it is probably just a typo.

Yes 1as typo 72F.  :) 

Btw anyone got any recommendations on a good laptop cooling pad?

Thanks!

I like the Coolermaster line of cooling pads.

Thermaltake is another good brand