Windows 7: Hardware issue?

My computer isn't BSOD'ing per-say, but it is crashing[?]. It is instantly powering off as if I unplugged the battery on it. With a slowly but seemingly increasing frequency. Is this more likely a software/drivers issue or a hardware one? It's a laptop with Windows 7. About 2 years old. Does it need replacing?

Hi.
A hi temperature issue maybe?If is that the case maybe your laptop needs just a good cleanup.
Lets see....
The easy way is,download Core Temp ,the standalone version,extract it in folder to ur desktop,start the coretemp,snip and add the attachment here.
The other way is to,enter in the BIOS and watch the temps in there,how?
Restart your computer.At the first text on the screen or when the Dell logo appears, tap F2 until the message Entering Setup appears.
Some oldest computers use alternate keys for the bios,as....
<Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Enter>
<Delete>
<Fn>+<F1> (laptop computers only)
<Fn>+<Esc> (laptop computers only)
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The attachment is from my computer,those are <<normal>> temps.
For laptop is a bit different.

On boot, Press F12 & run the Dell diagnostic tool.

I ran the dell diagnostic tool, which started a pre-boot assessment. I allowed it to run the extra memory tests, and no problems were found to my knowledge. When I booted, it said that the Windows 7 Home Premium was (recovered) though. That's unusual. Both my cores are usually around 45 degrees according toe the standalone 64-bit coretemp program. I almost always have a fan under this laptop, by the way.

Both cores were only around 50 degrees when it shut off this time.

Have you checked for accumulated dust around fan and vents? Compressed air in quick, short bursts might help. Also, is laptop placed on a firm surface with good airflow around and underneath, or is it on a soft surface like a blanket which would restrict airflow.

I haven't done that, I'll try that. But is all of that important if I'm not overheating?

It won't hurt. Overheating can occur for just a few minutes at a time like when you're doing something that's CPU or GPU intensive. If components reach or exceed the maximum recommended high temps often enough, they can become weakened leading to weird behavior (like random shutdowns.)

Well that's not good. I'll give this a compressed air spray soon, it has been a little while since I did it.

I rather wish I had a powerful fan just to point at my computer every so often. In fact, back when I lived in a certain dorm I would often pick up my laptop and put it up to the window unit. Worked quite well. Anywho, how bad is it for the laptop's cores to sit around 60 degrees celcius? or 70? Mine seem to be hanging out around there. Although it's odd. They weren't nearly that high before I hit the fan with compressed air and left it off for a bit. Now coretemp is reading around 75 and climbing. What the heck? 80 now.