This problem has gone on ever since this computer was built. The computer randomly freezes and makes a strange noise. It started freezing only in high-graphics games, but it eventually also started happening in IE, Word, and other apps. The only way 'out of' the freeze is to restart or turn off the computer. The sound that is made is like static with an echo sound in the background. Sometimes, but rarely, there is no sound or it stops after a few seconds. Also, only a couple of times, the screen has gone black. It only happens rarely on IE and similar apps, but it happens 90% of the time when I play a game. Does anyone have any idea what this is or how to fix it? AMD Athlon XP 3200+ 1GB RAM ASUS Radeon 9600 XT NVIDIA nforce audio

Sounds like a cpu noise, have you overclocked? Also overheating or too small a power supply. Overclocking tutorials http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/howtooc1/ http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/howtooc2/ http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/howtooc2/2.shtml http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/tutorials/231 This is a small extract from the links provided. http://www.ultratech-llc.com/KB/ASP/FileView.asp?File=/KB/BSOD.TXT http://www.ultratech-llc.com/KB/?File=BSOD.TXT http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/tips/techrep/bsod.asp http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=325011 http://windows.about.com/library/weekly/aa030599.htm http://windows.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q192/4/63.asp http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/TroubleshootingXP/default.htm http://www.labmice.net/WindowsXP/TroubleshootingXP/error.htm http://sft-cyber.com/stoperrors.htm http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm Troubleshooting Windows STOP Errors (BSOD) and Freezes The following issues are easily responsible for 99% of all system instability issues, particularly with Windows: • Bad or Flaky RAM • High CPU/Case temperatures (Insufficient cooling) • Bad Drivers (usually with el-cheapo hardware) • Inadequate or Dirty Power • Overclocking (some devices cannot run out of spec) • Improper Permissions/Rights (results in Access Denied) • Dirty Upgrade from Win9x/ME to 2000/XP • Virus Infection (can result in a wide variety of problems) • Incorrect jumper settings on your hard drive • Improperly terminated drivers and controller • Disabled or Misconfigured Services SYMPTOMS OF COMMON ISSUES • Bad Drivers ............ BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) or Spontaneous Reboot • Overheating ............ Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze • Bad/Flaky RAM .......... Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze or Failed Install • Dirty Power ............ Spontaneous Reboot or System Generated Errors • Inadequate Power ....... BSOD or Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze • Overclocking ........... BSOD or Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze • Improper Permissions ... BSOD or System Generated Errors • Dirty upgrade .......... BSOD or System Errors or Slowness or Erratic Behavior • Virus Infection ........ Inexplicable slowness or Highly Erratic Behavior • Wrong Drive Settings ... Inexplicable slowness or Failed Install or Long Boot times • Bad SCSI Termination ... Inexplicable slowness or Failed Install or Long Boot times • Disabled Services ...... Poor System Performance or Installation Problems or Limited OS Functionality Troubleshooting system lock-up problems http://www.legge40.freeserve.co.uk/Tips2.htm#LOCKUP

You have to make sure where the sound (noise) come from. If it is from the fans (in power supply, on top of processor or on the AGP card) then you have to replace it with new one. But, what makes me pretty sure it is from hard drive itself; it is happened when you run heavy application. If it is the hard drive then backup your data immediately because you need a new hard drive. Hopefully I could help you.

The sound doesn't come from the computer itself, it comes from the speakers. AMD Athlon XP 3200+ 1GB RAM ASUS Radeon 9600 XT NVIDIA nforce audio

It sounds more like your video card. One way of testing this is to remove the card and plug the monitor into the motherboard. (Assuming your motherboard has this option). I work servicing PC's and I see this issue commonly. It's normally a result of a cheap graphics card. If removing the card stops the error. Get a new graphics card... One with a fan!