I have 3 computers, this one, my game computer and my living-room computer (That I stream music from). Last night for some reason, my Gaming Computer would suddenly re-start, while playing a game. The first time this happened, I just thought wow that was weird... then it started happening regularly.
I then just decided to format C: and install a fresh copy of Windows XP (I have a legitimate, legal copy). Install went completely fine. Then I went off to find my Motherboard drivers. When I found the CD I returned back to my freshly Installed XP Gaming Computer and it was locked up. D: Which leads me to believe there is a hardware malfunction.
I rebooted a number of times, and the lock-up would happen pretty much 3 to 5 minutes after the windows desktop loaded.
I then ran Memtest86+ overnight. It reported no errors.
A little Google reading leads me to Checking the CPU temp, the HD might be bad or the Vid card is bad.
I have the MSI Dual Core center program for the Game Computer and I monitored the CPU temp, and that was fine. No overheating. I do not do any overclocking. I then opened the case and made sure it was all dust free, especially the fans and heat-sinks.
I then took the HD, and put it as a slave to my living-room computer. I *assume* if the HD was causing the lock-up, it would also do the same thing on the living-room computer right?
So far (an hour after hooking the HD to the living-room computer) it has NOT locked up at all.
So this leads me to assume the vid card is the problem. It is an Nvidia card and it is around 8 months old?
Am I on the right track, or can anyone offer some more suggestions?
Thanks!