If you’re like me and have a laptop (like my lovely Acer Travelmate 8104) which seems to like to melt itself internally when using graphic intensive software like Notepad (or the most awesomest new game Supreme Commander), then here are my six fool proof steps to getting you back on the road again!

 Step One - Move to a desk! There is no use actually trying to use your laptop as a LAPtop - it just isn’t going to work… well… unless you either want your laptop to melt itself to your legs… or your legs to actually melt off.

 Step Two - Still not working? We need to get some air under that thing… go into the kitchen and get the metal grate thing which is in the cooking tray… Plonk your laptop on top of that and hey presto - instant air!

Step Three - If you’re like me with your desk right next to your window - open your window! - Added air flow with help prevent you from those unexpected shut downs…

Step Four - We need to take some drastic action; go get your vacuum cleaner, and use the nozzle pipe to hoover your laptop - yes - hoover your fans and such and get rid of all that dust and dirt in your fan vents!

Step Five - Alright, this clearly isn’t working… pop down to a computer store and buy a notebook cooler to go under your laptop…

Step Six - What? You CLOSED the window!?!?! You fool - open it back up again! We may now have a fan system… but extra wind power is always a helpful bonus

Now you are set! You should now be able to play Supreme Commander or write in Notepad at your heart’s content!