To the people who can help me,

My computer has an unexplainable major problem. But before I tell you what it is I will give you it's details:
1.Its an Acer Aspire 5720
2.OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
3.Intel Core 2 Duo 1.50 Ghz Processor.
4.1 Gb RAM
5.120 Gb Hard Drive
6.252 Mb Graphics Card (Media Accelerator)

I hope some of this information will be able to help you out. Well, this is the problem. I am not able to run the laptop for more than 10 minutes without it shutting down randomly. However, the more I turn it on, the quicker it shuts itself down. In effect, there is no warning message or any information given by the computer to state why it keeps randomly shutting down. It just shuts itself down randomly without my request. I am not able to scan it in time without it turning off. Now, there is no other options to stop it from shutting itself down. I have ran BIOS mode and it still shuts itself down while in the middle of it running without my request. I have no possible explanation for this apparent occurrence. There has been no logical lead up to this happening. It just happened randomly one day and now it keeps doing it. I am wondering if I would be able to fix it via reformat. I have had the laptop for over 2 years now. I would seriously like some help with this if you can and through your jobs give me all the possible options I can have to resolve this issue. I am still being educated at school and would like to keep this laptop for university. If there is any way you can help me out here it would be greatly appreciated.

From Jack Oddy, School Student

These are classic heat related symptoms. Has it ever been thoroughly cleaned? Unlike PCs, opening the case on notebooks should be left to experienced PC repair people, but notebook users can open all compartments and lids, and remove batteries, cards, removable drives and anything else that exposes the internals. Then, using cans of dusting gas available most anywhere, blast out the dust.

Thank you, I have opened up the case once or twice to remove dust from the fan. However, I cannot gain access to opening the case because one of the screw heads have been broken and the phillips screw driver cannot fit onto the head. It is only one screw.I can open up the hard drive and battery but not the cover over the fans.

Well, stripped screws can be removed with special tools. I would suggest taking it to a shop.

Ok, I have fixed the shut down problem. I would like to thank all who have helped me to fix this problem. In the end it was dust. I managed to get the broken screw out only to find an inch thick of solid dust strapped to the fan!!! It is fine and working at 100% as it should be. Thank you.

Consider yourself lucky. Often the damage is permanent. I generally recommend inspecting monthly, then cleaning as necessary.

Thanks for the followup.