BIG PROBLEMS!!

[Skitso]

Win2000 SP3
Tb 1,2 ghz
256 ram
geforce 4 4200
abit kt7a

My pc works fine even for more days if I use office application or just stay in windows, but if I start a game (3d or not) the pc freezes in a little time, It will be 2 minutes or 1 hour but it freezes every time and I can only turn it off.
I tried to update mainboard bios, graphics drivers and via 4in1 drivers, I tested ram to be sure that is working correctly but problem still exist.

I don't know what to do now... please help me!

 

[earthman]

This can be caused by low quality RAM or a cpu getting too hot. There are many other possible causes too, hopefully you have upgraded all you software drivers to the latest versions?

 

[Skitso]

Drivers and mb bios are updated, the cpu temperature is always under 60°C and the psu is 300W.
The problem may appears even after 2 minutes that the pc is working, in this case the cpu temperature is very low.

 

[Swampster]

How are you checking your CPU and motherboard temps? If you are rebooting and checking them in CMOS, then you are not getting an accurate picture of what they are under the stress of full Windows operation. For example, if you are rebooting and finding that your CPU is at 63 degrees celcius, then it is not out of the question to imagine that it was at or above 70 when it quit . . . which is too hot for many systems. You haven't reached the level of melting the system, but you are then passing the range where is will successfully operate a fully stressed system. Many motherboard manufacturers offer a monitoring program that will operate from withing Windows so that you can get real-time readings. Find one and use it.

In particular, you need to see your CPU temp, your CPU fan speed, and your voltage readings. If possible, have someone monitor these for you so that you can concentrate on operating your game in a normal manner (so that you stress the system as you were before). This might offer a clue to the malfunction.

Another might be what video card you are using. Many are real power hogs and run very hot. The ones that are particularly bad usually have monitor programs that come on the driver CD that will help you keep an eye on their readings. If none of this shows you any abnormalities, and you are sure all your drivers are the latest, then try going to something in the line of an EverMAX Gold 400 watt power supply. I know 300 watts seems quite sufficient, but as them become more and more the "standard" PS in most cases, I am seeing more and more that don't seem to be able to operate successfully at their listed capacities.

 

[earthman]

Most of them don't operate at their listed capacity because they share the 3.3 and 5v circuits on one output line. Therefore, as demand increases on one, it decreases available power on the other. This is why I reccommend Antec TruPower power supplies, since they have a dedicated circuit for all voltages. With Athlons and Thunderbirds especially, many power supplies struggle with the 3.3 volt side when you have alot of drives using the 5v line.

 

[Skitso]

I checked the cpu temp after 30 minutes of gaming or running 3dmark2001 when the pc resist without freezing.

Voltages
nominal found by VIA HWMonitor

3.3V = 3.43
5V = 4.98
12V = 11.89