Laptop keeps going down

[Janbuck]

Every now and then, roughly about 3 times a week, and I use it daily, my laptop has just suddenly shut down and switched itself off. I can't think of any reason why it would do this. Can anyone help please? My laptop is an Asus with a 2GB memory, it's about 2 1/2 years old with Vista. Any help appreciated.

[MantaRay]

Laptops are prone to build up of dust inside causing them to overheat and shut down, once they are 3-4 years old. This is something I overheard at my local pc shop while purchasing a monitor. I guess you can dismantle and clean out the fan, etc.

[kgmrush]

It might be overheating - do you often use it on a bed or on your lap? The fan constantly sucks in tiny fibres and may be clogged up inside. It would probably be best to take it to a pc repair shop and get them to have a look inside and clean it out for you (unless you are experienced/confident at taking it apart yourself). You can install a program called "speedfan" http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php this will show you the temps your laptop is running at, normally it would be around 50/60 degrees. If it starts creeping up to 80s then shutting down this will confirm the overheating.

[AlBags]

Have you all updates installed?
Overheating maybe? Fan ducts blown out?
OH processor can cause a shutdown like that.

What big stuff do you have running all the time?

[RAV1D]

Maybe the cpu (Computer processor unit) is getting too hot inside due to dust getting inside your laptop and with the warmer weather as well It's automaticly shutting it's self down as it hits a certain tempresure to protect it's self.

[fiesata]

I agree with overheating - take it off your lap or put it on a tray or board as the heat from your body makes it worse - that's why they are referred to as notebooks not laptops nowadays

Should be easy to gently brush or blow the dust from the vent holes

[factor-fiction]

Or it could be an automatic Windows update which is followed by a shut down

[Janbuck]

Thanks very much everyone for all your advice. It does sound like it could be the overheating/dust problems. I will try all your suggestions, hope it works.