svg, I will definately take you advice and give it a shot. I'll probably post again in a couple of hours (something came up). Thank you once again for your quick response. I'll post my results after I try what you suggested. Thanks. -mark-

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Okay, but mind my timezone (3:30 am here) !:) You did install XP Service Pack 1, didn't you? ___________________________________________ ☺ [Belgium, GMT+1]_________________________svg

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Try disabling DNS CLIENT. I had that problem sometime ago. It was constantly running resources at 90%.

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Thank you both for the suggestions. I tried disabling DNS Client but that didn't work. I downloaded those 2 monitoring programs but I'm unable to force a DCOM error to occur without freezing the computer. So those don't help me too much. From all the error logs this is where I stand right now. It seem to be caused by either DCOM or COM+ When I go to Component Services -> Computers -> My Computer -> COM+ Applications it gives me an error message stating: "An error occurred while processing the last operation. Error cod 8004E00F - COM+ was unable to talk to the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator." So I then go to services to try to start the Distributed Transaction Service but when I try to do that I get the error message: "Could not start the Distributed Transaction Coordinator service on Local Computer. Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start." Now I may be going at this all wrong but I figure those errors probably somehow directly or indirectly relate to my problem. If either of you can make any sense of that or help me figure out how to start the Transactions service that would be awesome. I have to start heading to bed and I work a long day tomorrow so I won't be able to respond probably for at least 24 hours. But give me any suggestions you have and I'll get back to you ASAP. Many thanks. -Mark-

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Check the dependencies and start the one it wants. work backwards from there. Will check the post tomorrow.

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OK, 1 more post then bed. I checked the dependencies and figured out which one was causing the problem. So now COM+ seems to be happy. So alls good right? Wrong. This time I ran the game and instead of getting a DCOM error I heard something in my computer make a "click" noise (probably the hard drive) then my speakers made weird noises, the game & PC froze and I was forced to restart. Upon restarting my PC before even making it to the BIOS screen I get a flashing message that says "YOUR RADEON 9800'S POWER SOURCE IS NOT PROPERLY CONNECTED, SHUT DOWN AND DO SO" So I just tried restarting again and it made it past the screen (after I was back at the desktop I did make sure that the power cable was nice and snug). So now I'm really getting confused? What's going on here? Now that no errors are occurring in the log I don't know where to start. Any suggestions as to how to handle this would be mighty fine. Could this be an overheating issue? I checked my CPU temp right after I restarted and it was at 59C. What is considered normal? I'll check back later tomorrow night. Thanks everyone. -Mark-

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I have VERY limited knowledge about correct temperature-levels for processors. Pentiums are supposed to run cooler than AMDs, and I think something around 70°C is the critical point for pentium 4, and most BIOSs are set to alert/shutdown(the MotherBoard) @ 60°C. So, 59°C might be close to that trigger. I'm not sure at all, though. Both overheating/power problems could cause this. Or if you're overclocking, then that may explain both the overheating, and the [probable] memory-errors that are troubling your services. I know for sure that COM+ is a system that is as good as dead, because there aren't any programs around that use it (or so I believe). And DCOM "is an old and outdate piece of ****. It opens a door for others to be able to get into your system." [quote from setishock] Because of the symptoms: - weird, RANDOM services problems - freezing up of total system - weird graphics card error - high, although not critical temps I'd say you do have a hardware problem. Probably physical overheating as you said, but maybe just the BIOS alerts kicking in at 60°. It's also possible(even probable because of the games-related problems) that your ATI card has had its drivers updated recently, and the update is forcing it to overclock somewhat, which your system can't handle >> the raising of the system-temps by your ATI, might be making it impossible to cool your CPU properly. Look at ways to cool your system better first. Or roll back to an earlier ATI graphics driver. ___________________________________________ ☺ [Belgium, GMT+1]_________________________svg

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svg, Thank you very much for your detailed post. I'm not overclocking so that's not causing it. But you very may be right about my Video Card indirectly overclocking the system. I'm at work right now but when I get home much later tonight I'm gonna try running things with the case open and somehow try to cool things down a bit. I'll also check my BIOS to see at what temp the system shuts down. Thanks once again and I'll reply later on as to how my new approach worked.

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Having it run with the case open might not necessarily run it cooler, because it mainly needs airflow to do that. But your idea is a good one to try. Also watch your fans(pun sortof intended :) closely. That clicking sound may have been a fan clipping a wire or something. As a remedy, maybe bundling the wires up a bit, is enough to let sufficient air flow through from the front to the back of your system. If you're worried about the extra noise, if you decide to install extra fan(s), then consider this trick: Even the cheapest of fans will run virtually silent if you use some standard oil (like for creeky doors) and put a drop of it on the axis of the fan, which is usually hidden behind some warranty-seal. Apply it with a cue-tip, so you don't spill it around. Bear in mind, though, that the true origin of the system-noise, is the volume of air that's displaced inside it. Keep'm cool & well-ventilated! And your system too !:) ___________________________________________ ☺ [Belgium, GMT+1]_________________________svg

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Well, I opened up my case and pointed a large fan directly into my computer and it ran in high perfomance mode (extreme gaming) for 45 mins (a new record for my new game). So as you correctly guessed svg, it's probably a heat problem. So now my task is how to get this thing cool (I already have 3 fans in there). But both of you have done your jobs, the ball is in my court now. Thank you both very much for helping me through this problem. Your ideas and suggestions helped me to correctly diagnose my problem. Many thanks again. Have a great week!! -Mark-

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Fonzie sez: "Cool-a-mundo, Dude!" Happy Days to you too, Mark !:) ___________________________________________ ☺ [Belgium, GMT+1]_________________________svg

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