Crashing Help

[xladieexo]

I searched the forum and tried to see if anyone else had a similar problem but couldn't really find anything.

I have been getting this constant crashing and freezing of my machine.
For instance it says my cpu is running 100%
and therefore makes my computer so slow that i have to force shut it down

i was running google chrome 5 tabs
windows live writer
and notepad

these programs run fine all at once with no lag but sometimes
it could be random applications and my computer just locks up and freezes and forces me to shut it off

i have a Gateway Nv59
Intel core i5 processor and
1Gb Ati mobility graphics 5650

if anyone has an idea of what this can be.
I first thought it was a heating issue on my laptop but everything is cool and nothing is obstructing the air vents.

id greatly appreciate anyone that can help me

thank you so much in advanced.

 

[ranteo]

what does task manager list as the top few programs with the highest cpu usage?