I've seen similar problems in a couple laptops.  In all cases, it was due to overheating of the laptop which then caused an automatic shutdown.  Overheating happens when cpu use is high, just like you describe.

In one case, the cooling fans on the bottom of the laptop were clogged with cat hair and dust in general.

Verify that the fans are moving.  A compressed air can help but better to use a vacuum to pull everything out, not force it inside more.  May have to disassemble.

The other prevention is to NOT put the laptop on a soft surface (like bedspread) where it can't get air circulation underneath.  Use it on a desk or hard surface.

Lastly, buy one of those $25 Laptop Coolers that you put the laptop on.  They have a couple fans that cool the laptop from underneath.  Search on Google for "laptop cooler" or Staples, OfficeMax, etc.

Here's just one example:


http://www.pcextreme.com/catalog/sku/lap-14.html

Dang, for a moment I had to look to see if I'd written that post, then I saw it was Ghost4me. 

I'm constantly telling my laptop users to NEVER set their little 'puter on a bed or carpet.  Always run them on a hard surface and even place something under the back corners to raise it up about 3/4", which improves air flow and gives a better slant to the keyboard, making it easier to type on it.  There are stick-on rubber feet available that work great for that.

If you're blowing the dirt out with compressed air, insert a small stick of some kind to prevent the fan from turning or the compressed air will over-rev the little fan and possibly break off a blade or damage the bearings.

Overheating in laptops is becoming the #1 killer of those little computers.
With ever faster CPU speeds and faster HD's, heat buildup is reaching critical proportions.

Good Luck,
Shadow 

The page file use is high because you have only 256mb of memory.  The common "minimum" for XP now is 512 mb, and the norm is 1 gigabyte of memory.

The laptop is working extra hard because of the lack of memory.  Everything has to paged to disk to make up for memory, then paged back in when needed.

You probably bought the laptop 4 years ago I would estimate.  Vendors often saved a few dollars to keep the intro price low.

Bottom line:  Check your vendor website for details, but add at least 512mb memory module that matches your laptop memory.  Verify how many memory modules you have and what kind you can upgrade with.

I thought I saw AdAware anti-spyware running.  Also anti-virus softwares are big memory hogs too.  So check what background processes or applications are starting and running.

Also, in terms of memory usage, don't forget that XP as it exists today (with all patches) consumes a lot more than 4 or 5 years ago when you bought the pc.  IE7 has lot more behind the scenes checking, plus you have to account for all the plug-ins and other goodies that have been added to make browsing either safer or more enjoyable.  Every one of those add-ins takes up memory.

Same for antivirus software and antispyware software.

You should examine everything that is started as a service, installed, and in use. 

I bet if you restored the laptop back to the way it was from Dell in 2002, it would run a lot faster.     just kidding, but true.

A pat on the back for using AdAware....I hope it's AdAware 2007.
It's a great Adware and cookie remover, but it's not the best Spyware remover.
(there IS a difference)
I do install it for all my customers, but then I also install Spybot Search & Destroy (also FREE) to get the spyware that AdAware misses.  I've seen Spybot remove over a hundred pieces of Spyware after AdAware has done it's thing.

And what about those Trojans.....(the viruses, not the other kind)  NO spyware, adware or even Anti-Virus program will find and remove all of those.
To do a one time cleanup on a "Dirty" system, I would use the FREE download of "Trojan Hunter".  It's fully functional for 30 days and will find the baddies that all the other programs miss.

Then especially on a laptop, you need a Anti-Virus program that's "Light" and does not load down the system.  For this, I use AVG 7.5 FREE.  You certainly don't want system hogs like Norton or even McAfee running on a laptop.

I offer this as a help only.  From my webpage:

These are the programs I use every day to keep my own PC and the PC’s
of all my customers, spotlessly clean of malware.
I suggest every person having any Virus or Spyware issues get these programs
and use them immediately. 
Do check for updates to all your security software on a DAILY basis.

SPYWARE/Trojan BLOCKERS/REMOVERS:

Trojan Hunter, is a first class Trojan Horse Virus removal program.
The downloaded version is a 30 day, Fully Functional, free trial.
Use the Free Trial to clean up a Dirty system or buy the retail license to have a year of full service plus updates.  Download "Trojan Hunter" here:
http://www.misec.net/trojanhunter/

From the web page, just click "Download Free Trial Version"
It's a 5.9 meg download.

Spybot Search & Destroy,
(a great anti Spyware program.)
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22262-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/de...


AdAware 2007 FREE. 
Another top notch anti Spyware program.
A great companion program to Spybot S&D.
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Click the Green button on right side of screen.


Spyware Blaster,
a great Spyware Blocker.
Protects both I.E. and Mozilla Firefox.
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2859.html
DO NOT use in conjunction with Microsoft Office 2003 or later.
(the two programs don’t seem to like each other)

SpyHunter
A Spyware Elimination Utility
Finds things the others don't.
A retail product, ($29.95 for a one year subscription)
but, the 30 day trial will let you know if you have any malware on your HD.
Download from:
http://www.enigmasoftwaregroup.com


ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION:

World famous AVG FREE  will keep your computer free of viruses,
trojans, dialers, etc.
By default, it updates and scans for viruses on a daily basis.
AVG 7.5 FREE, can be downloaded from:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5

Scroll down the page to "FREE Downloads" and then click on:
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5
That takes you to the next page where you can select:
avg75free_485a1117.exe (or the currently posted version)
Save the file to your desktop and run the install from there.
If you have an older version of AVG free already installed,
use the 'Repair Install' option when installing v. 7.5.
Immediately get updates.  More than one may be required.
vCleaner, Stand Alone Virus Checker from Grisoft.
Can be downloaded from:
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/112/lng/us/tpl/tpl01
Save to your Desktop and run from there.

REGISTRY CLEANER:

Easy Cleaner,  the best Registry Cleaner I've found so far.
Also can be used to remove all those "Unnecessary Files".
Can be downloaded from:
http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm
Just scroll down to "Download & Installation" and click on the first floppy disk symbol.
********************************************
I have to work on laptops all the time, where the biggest complaint is "it's just running so slow I can't stand it!!! "

Most of the time, without disassembling the unit, I can increase performance by 50-100% by just eliminating all the junk running in the background and removing all the malware on the system.  Then some registry tweaking and some fine tuning finishes off the job.

Since laptop HD's run slower than those in Desktop PC's, it's mandatory to keep HD activity to a minimum.  Having ample RAM (over 1 gig) goes a long way toward this end.
Also there's a registry tweak that loads the Kernal into ram where Windows can access it many times faster than when it's residing on the HD.

Shutting down all unneeded "Services" is another really BIG way to increase laptop performance.  I regularly shut down over a dozen 'Services' when tuning up a laptop.

Tweaking the registry or shutting down services, is not something for the beginner or even the faint of heart.  This should only be done by those qualified to do so.

Cheers Mates!
Shadow