I run a P3 450 with i think the intel BX440 mobo. 64mb ram, and a rivaTNT2Ultra Gamer. Now, the problem is, intermittently, about every 30-60 mins, my computer completely hangs..!! I have to press reset.
Now, i don't know if this is a virus, or what.. I have plenty of hard disk space, and haven't made any big changes to the setup recently either. PLEASE HELP.... i'm going mad..!!!!! Steve.

Try to check whether your Pentium's fan is spinning. If not, try to activate or replace a new one. I hope that helps you.

Have you checked to make sure the computer has proper ventillation or the cooling fans are in good working order sometimes if the internal cooling fan is not working properly it could cause the processor to become overly hot and the computer may freeze also are you in any specific type of application or performing an operation or does it just happen ..Perform a MacAfee Scan on the c:\drive as well can't hurt

Steve,

Unfortunately, this could be an issue that might be any number of problems, or a combination thereof. You would be wise to check things like My Computer/Control Panel/ System and look under the performance tab. It might be your system is operating in MS-DOS mode and that would certainly cause problems with your operating system. You could have a virus. You might have to reload windows due to corrupt systems files. Look for a common denominator when your operating systems hangs (i.e. exactly what were you doing when it freezes). You could check to see what's running behind the scens when you boot up and look for any derelict programs (this is a long shot, how would you really know the difference without process of elimination?) You mentioned you have plenty of hard drive space, are you letting windows run the show on virtual memory? You should. As you can see, this can really turn into a can of worms, I feel for you, but it's hard to troubleshoot via bulletin boards. You can feel free to contact me this weekend. Make connection with email.

Pierre

Thanks for all the help guys. My fan is working fine, I even suspended another one in there which blows over my Riva2 and the rest of the mobo. I did think that it was overheating, but i no longer think that's the case.. I did a REAL heavy de-frag of my C:\ a couple of weeks ago... Thanx Pierre, i'll have a look at some of the things you've suggested over the weekend.
Any more advice..? Ideas..? The problem seems to be whilst i am connected to the internet a lot too. I connect to Demon, but they're pretty trouble free.. AcK!, I don't bloody know.....

First, make sure your your power management is off in Windows and in your "bios"(when you restart pc)

Clear out you temp folders

From add/remove icon in control panel remove programs you don`t use anymore.

Of course with Windows, you need to run scandisk and defrag.

Go to the dos prompt and type in scanreg/fix.

Then get this prog "Perfect Companion"
It`s only good for ten days. Scan your registry, with it, and fix any bad entries.(I usually among other things, have to remove the quotation marks around entries)

http://www.easydesksoftware.com/down.htm