"Could my processor not be getting cool enough and a fault is built in to protect my devices?"
Laptops can really get hot with heavy device usage. If you are not actively surfing the web or otherwise using the network, then consider removing the Linksys card until the fah core needs to send or retrieve a WU. PCMCIA cards are always drawing current when plugged in, whether in use or not, and they really run hot. This wouldn't normally be a problem with normal use, but if the CPU is running at 80% or more, that adds to the heat build up. More heat is generated with a lot of drive activity, hard drive or CD or floppy.
Hope this helps. Good Luck.
RT
Good idea, especially if you combine it with the idea of changing the configuration to run timeless WUs and download them in batches. Then, you only need to connect to the internet sporadically.