Laptop in dire straits. [100% CPU on svchost + freeze]

Laptop computor,2 yrs old, no previous problems,nothing new done or installed lately,anti-virus,anti-spyware running.
Windows XP loads normally,but freezes at the desktop.The fan runs full tilt and task manager shows CPU usage at 100% by svchost.exe and the user is system. This state will go on for about 15 mins then suddenly the fan will shut-off, the desktop becomes responsive and I can carry on as usual. The fan will cycle on and off normally and CPU usage is appropriate.
However, at some point, the fan will turn on full blast again and whatever program I'm working on freezes and CPU is 100% by svchost.exe. At this time, it will usually not re-activate itself after 15 min, task manager will not shut down Windows and I'm forced to remove the battery to end things.
Thanks for your help.

 

Hi, PeteC and thanks for your reply.
There is no obstruction to air flow in or out of the computer. The air exiting the computer is definitely hot during that first 15 mins after Windows loads and the desktop is frozen. Once the desktop re-activates, the fan cycles normally and the temperature of exhausted air is just warmish.
It seems that the "work" of loading Windows from a fully shut-down state has become too much for the CPU and it requires 15mins to cool-off. The same problem happens when I bring it out of Hibernation,but not Standby.
I usually shut the computer down completely and have never had this overheating trouble before.
Your thoughts...?

 

Have you tried blowing some air through it as suggested here?

 

Thanks suferdude2 and PeteC.
I will look into both your suggestions Tues, as it is a long holiday weekend in Canada and we're going out of town.

 

Suggestions

Go into safe mode-- at boot up f8 or f5 at bootup.
See if you are ok.
If so look at startup progams ( msconfig) to see if anything else has been added.
If you are ok try going back as far as you can or the date before the problems started with system restore
Check add remove programs for new programs ( especially toolbars and other spyware).
Run several anti spyware programs - adaware , spyware , the microsoft one , the trend spyware program with updates
If you are on a broadband cable connection or behind a router you can do this in safe mode with networking
If you are on a straight dsl you can get the programs and updates ( at least for spybot and adaware on site)
If you have norton antivirus get rid of the sucker .
Its for nubes and laden with all type of hidden stuff to slow you to a crawl.

have fun