Well i had the laptop on 24/7 to tell u the truth,but when it was closed and not in use it was on a night stand on top of metal mesh so ther was plenty of circulation,but i would be on it for hours on end at night adn day on top of a blanket. So thus in theory by what u say adn i as well it could be a burnt or overloaded circut from the excessive heat. Now even if i put it on a table or so fourth it does the same thing,it just so happens to turn on and power up when it wants to