Laptop Lockup

I used to be able to play GC II on my laptop.  Now I am unable to.  I am wondering, is it possible that it is caused by a heating issue?  If so, does anyone know if those after market laptop cooling stands work?  They blow air up into the laptop.  I would have thought it would work the other way and blow the hot air expelled from the bottom of the laptop out away from it.

Thanks,

Brian