why does my laptop play up ? can you help

may be any of your laptop cooling system fans are spoiled either processor or exhaust fans are spoiled.. just check in BIOS if all fans are rotating.. but its better you report this your laptop service provider..

try to clean the cooling system!

monitoring and post the temperature and post the configuration...

I think you should buy a laptop cooler in case of hardware overheat. It is much advisable for you to get it and improve coolness of your laptop. As for your software, your operating system, you need to update antivirus database and scan your computer with updated antivirus. Try Malwarebytes, avira free edition and your existing antivirus just to make sure the security of your computer is fully secured. If the problem still present, then try reinstall and reformat your hard disk drive for fresh installation. If the problem is still there, you better have it checked

maybe there isn't enough airflow in your laptop, most likely your fan is going out and maybe dust has gotten into the internals. Overheating is a pretty common thing with laptops which is why it's essential to keep the airflow, i usually elevate my laptop so nothing can block my fan.

You should contact your hardware engineer because this is not software problem this is hardware problem, it might be processor fan damaged and cause processor hitting or any other element.

from your description i think your laptop is so old,that it should be eliminated! In addition ,your processor fan must be checked .it is possible your fan works not very well. hope usefull for you!