BleepingComputer.com: Stutter/Lockup

Okay, here's the deal. I'm having a wonderful little issue with my laptop. Every so often(read constantly), my computer decides to lockup while playing games. This will happen with everything from Fallout3 to Plants Vs Zombies. What happens is the game will stutter, essentially dropping to one frame every 10 seconds, and the audio will just play static. The game doesn't crash, and it goes back to normal in a minute or two. I have a feeling this is my video card, but I'm unsure of what I can do about it.
I have a Dell Inspiron 6400, with Genuine Intel CPU, T2050 @ 1.60GHz, 1.05GHz, 4GB RAM, and ATI Mobility Radeon X1400

Thanks in advance!

Have you updated your graphics drivers in a while?

Have you blown compressed air throughout the vents, or better yet, open up the laptop and clean the dust out? Do you give the computer good ventilation? Setting a laptop on a bed or a cushioned surface will usually block the fan on the bottom.

I've got the back of the laptop propped up on some CD cases, but I think I'll take it apart for some dusting soon. Thanks for the tips!

Nice call. Cleaned it out, got rid of alot of dust, and now it runs nice and smooth. I'm not gonna leave it running overnight anymore either. Thanks!

I'm glad everything worked out for you!