This sounds like a loose connection problem. Check all your connections carefully and continue running the computer open for a while (until you feel confident that the problem has "worked itself...

From reading through a different thread, I learned that sometimes the heat transfer cream between the CPU and the heat-sink dries out. When this happens, even if the fan is working, the heat will...

You seem to have done the right things so far. Now all that's left is to replace the fan once to receive the replaement one you ordered.
I have a thought about something you might try until you...

Glad you met with success, as they say, "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again."
Have you marked the thread as solved?

Ah yes, there is another possibility (but I'm not familiar with your laptop so it might not apply) Turn over the computer and unscrew the screws that hold the disk drive in it's socket. When the...

You didn't say whether or not there was a hole in the front of the drive ---assuming that there is, than you simply didn't push the straightened out paper clip in straight enough, deeply enough or...

Have you tried setting the time zone to one that is 5 hours ahead of Los Angeles? Does the time change then?

Sometimes it's simply that your speaker plug has pulled out (partially or completely).
Some computers have their sound card integrated on the mother board. Double check to see if something didn't...