Within 2 - 4 hours of booting, my XP home system starts to go a tad wacky. When I try to start a new program I get: "Windows application error: The application failed to initialize properly." Or, this error: "Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service". However, most of the other applications that were running appear to be still running ok (although sometimes some of the previously running applications freeze). I also lose my DSL connectivity. This is a consistent problem that reliably occurs after about about 2 - 4 hours from booting the system. I have a 1.5gig Pentium 4, 524mb RAM (which tests out fine). Hard disks have lots of free gigs, and test out ok. The monitor set to sleep after 20 min, hard drive does not shut down, nor is it set to go into suspend mode. I reset the Windows XP virutal memory settings, so that windows automatically manages virtual memory size. My hard disk has many gigs of available space. If I leave the Windows XP Task Manager open, during this weirdness, it surpisingly indicates that there is both lots of memory and CPU resources available. Start / Shutdown doesn't work, and I must to do a hardware reboot to restart. Any ideas / suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mike - I just got a new Dell system with XP as the OS, and I have the same recurring problem. After 1-3 hours of inactivity, I find my Network connectivity has died (I have a cable modem). I also get the same "failed to initialize" message if I try to "ping" in the DOS window, or even try to re-boot using the 3-fingered salute. I am able to warm reboot via the "Start-Turn Off Computer" route. The Dell guy I got on the phone wasn't helpful - maybe I'll try customer service again and get someone who has a clue. Have you found out anything since you first reported the problem?

Try windows update. There's an update for windows failing to connect devices after suspend mode.