Computer Problems

I wasnt sure exactly where to post this because it could be hardware or software and i didnt see any "Computer Problems" forums.

So anyway, when playing any game on my computer, from little games on miniclips to big games like Battlefield 1942, after around 10 or 15 minutes of game play my computer either completely freezes up or restarts on its own. If the computer restarts then it will usually load to the point just after the "Windows XP Professional" and the blue bar, and the restart itself again....it does this 2-3 times before it starts normally.

I have swept my computer with AVG, Adaware, Spysweeper and Spybot several times, each time picking up nothing.

I have no idea what so ever what is going on here, so if anybody could offer any form of advice it would be great.

Well, it certainly doesn't belong in the drawing room.

I dont have an answer at this point.......but make sure your video drivers are currrent.
(thats a VERY good place to start the diagnosis)

System specs would be useful.

I suspect either overheating or overloaded PSU.

Download Everest and check your temps and voltages.

Well... Since you say the problem only happens 10 to 15 minutes of being under load, I would suspect that your computer is overheating. Check the temps while under load.

Processor: AMD Athlon XP 1800+ 1.5Ghz
Memory: 256MB Ram
Graphics Card: Radeon 7000 Series, 64MB

These are the basic systems specs, if you need anything else i will try to find it. Now Lynx what exactly do i look for in this Everest? Currently this Everest says my CPU speed is 1533.23 - .24, im not actualy doing anything or running anything other than typeing this.

Open Everest.

>Computer>Sensor.

Wait a few seconds and your systemps and voltages should appear.

Well maybe letting the compute BSOD instead of the standard restart would help too, also check your bios if you have failsafes for temps, they could be set to low...

My motherboard is 41 degrees
My CPU is 75 degrees
My Maxtor 6E040L0 is 46 degrees

My CPU is 1.79V. Im not really sure if thats good or bad, but 75 degrees sounds bad....taking the side panels off and using fans may help right? What else could i do.

Not sure about your particular processor, but 1.79v sounds a bit much if it isn't oc'd. I'd think it's supposed to be around 1.6v.

And 75 degrees (assuming everest isn't too far off) is definitely very high, if that's in celcius.


EDit: your hd prolly won't like temps far above 40 either.

EDitII: In short, it may be both overvolted and overheated.