Fairly New 7405 GX Shutdowns

I purchased this unit in March of '05. Someone in here might remember me as the one who had to send her lappy off for a problem to BB's Illinois repair center and in transit back to them/me, the screen cover/lid (near hinge) was damaged. Well this was all in July to early Aug. '06. Anyhow, the heat sink was replaced in the intial repair and on the second trip, brand new Gateway box logo lid was also added. I had the other logo with a box like around the G prior.

Now, what it intitially went in for it was running extremely hot even thru keyboard. Since it's been back, not only is it sparaticaly hot but it shuts down sometimes as soon as windows is fully loaded. If I let it load fully, about 8 hours go by, give or take, and then gone.

I read and am still reading the M68?? thread, the very long one. I am trying several solutions from there as well. But mine is whether it is on battery or not. The fans come on and then, off it goes. I am running:

Win XP Home SP2
AMD 3200+ 512 ram 80 G HD with about 13 G used
BB warranty til 2007 or 8


I dread sending this unit back for fear of them formatting which I can do myself. IAny other suggestions?

Thank you!!

Back to add I have no MODS done and have only did things like normal Microsoft updates and the updated via Gateway's site. BIOS update? Whatever was on the site as of June.

I have a virus software that I feel is excellent... but funny that you mention that b/c I did have a weird thing happen a few eeks ago. I was getting a virus warning in the JAVA folder on my friend's side of the unit. Anyhow, I noted the very long location, went on a hunt on his side for the problem and deleted all references of it. Since I did this, no more error messages thru my virus scans, etc.

So far, I took the HD, the battery and all other covers off and sprayed for dust particles. I am on the BIG PC (as I call it) while I let the lappy rest and tinker in between to see what happens. I'll report back. THanks for the advice as I am not quite ready to format as yet. It is however on the topmost list of options prior to sending it back to BB.

Have a great one!!

Thunder, thanks for the advice but I am not that gamey as yet. I would allow BB to finish out there warranty period before I ever open this case. (laughs)

Anyhow, so faaaaar, even though it's still a lil warm on the bottom... the spraying out of all beneath & side areas... no shut down as yet. (crosses fingers as she leaves).