Laptop freezes anytime I try to do anything

[Combeter Man]

Hi everyone. Today I opened up my laptop and was trying to use it when it started to freeze every 5 seconds. At first I was using it with no problems for about 5 minutes, then my browser started lagging and eventually I couldn't do anything without it freezing. I tried opening Task Manager and the screen froze then gave me some weird error. I pressed the start menu and it popped up then froze. I tried restarting and after logging in the screen stayed black (can only see the cursor) for a few minutes then loaded up. However the freezing continued, even when I opened up the start menu.

I went into safe mode, first with networking and after a bit it started freezing, though eventually (after restarting a bunch of times) I was able to open up Malware and update it. I did a quick scan and nothing came back. I tried to do a full scan but it froze when I tried opening the start menu while it was running. I tried it in normal Safe Mode and after running it smooth (Full Scan) for 15 minutes or so, I tried opening the start menu and it froze (though the cursor was moving). I left it for 5-10 minutes but it was still frozen so I closed it.

Any ideas? Thanks

short version: laptop keeps freezing, even in safe mode (though not as much, only when I attempt to multi-task). No malware appears present.

[Murf]

Is the laptop getting unusually hot on the bottom? Can you feel/hear any fans running? Air coming out of the vent(s)?

[Combeter Man]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, my laptop gets very hot from the bottom but I think the fans seem like they are all running. I did take it recently to be opened up and cleaned and I do use a cooling pad. So I'm not sure.

I did format my hard drive, however now it just restarts by itself after a few minutes after logging in. I am using safe mode at the moment and it's been 10-15 minutes without restart yet. I do think it could be an overheating issue, but I'm not sure how I'd even fix that.