HP dv6000 shut-down when playing game

I've had this dv6000 for over a year (since about April 07).

I've already noticed the fan getting louder over the past few months.

However, I have played World of Warcraft heavily on this thing from a few months after I bought it. the laptop has the integrated Intel 945GM graphics - obviously pretty crappy for games.

Anyways, these days when I play it, the fan will get really loud and constant, especially in certain larger/busier zones (like shattrath, etc, those who play know what i mean). Eventually it gets to a point where BLAM - the whole computer just shuts off.

I'm assuming this is an overheating problem. The bottom gets ridiculously hot. I used a Belkin fan-cooling-mat, i haven't had any shut-downs when using it so I'm assuming it's helping but I'm not sure really.

Basically, am I right that this is an overheating problem and is there any easy way to improve performance so it doesn't shut down? I haven't had any shut-downs doing "normal" tasks yet, though I assume it'll get to that point eventually as performance worsens... I'm not comfortable opening this thing up to clean it inside, is there an easier way? or should i Just keep using a cooling mat and let it live out its cycle?

 

Download HWmonitor and post back with your idle and full load temps.

Your fans could be clogged with dust causing it to overheat.