PC freezes and does not want to start up. (vista, 64-bit)

I hadn't been using this computer actively for maybe a year, so when I started it up and updated some drivers/windows updates etc. Despite its age (4 years old, which probably is part of the problem) it was running like a champion until yesterday.
What happened was, I was playing the Guild Wars 2 stress test and came to a loading screen. It was taking a suspiciously long time, and i finally had to ctrl+alt+delete, with the intention of restarting the game. I got to the task manager, and that's where it froze. Eventually I did a force reboot, logged in without a problem, and when I got to the desktop it froze again. Reboot a couple of times but nothing changed. Put the whole thing outside to cool for a few minutes, and then back in.  At this point it was quite late, and I really didn't have the willpower to keep going, so I went to sleep. Next morning I start up without a problem. It now runs as it should for a few minutes and freezes again. The more I restart it the faster it freezes. Eventually I start it up in safe mode. Even there, it runs for a couple of minutes, but then the monitor shows an error message ("no signal"). The monitor goes off but the computer is still on. 
I am clueless as for what I should do. Is there even hope?

I do not see a model number, but since this is posted in the Desktop section, I assume it is one.  First thing I would do is open the case (with unit off and unplugged) and clean out the dust.  Use a can of compressed air, not a vacuum cleaner.  Then, if all the dust is gone, leave the side off and plug the unit in and press the start button.  Watch to make sure the fans on the CPU cooler, case fan and video card fan all start.  If yes, then proceed with boot up.  If one or more fail, stop the boot up by pressing and holding the start button.  Report back.
If a heat related shut had occurred, there may be hardware failure, but lets hope that is not the case.
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