cause of lockups

Yes, it does sound like you need some refreshing in there. You can change the CPU fan for a better and more powerfull one. I did it for my dual AMD workstation before it was working because I know theese CPUs heat up a lot.

Did you put this system together yourself or was it built by someone other than the factory? Either way even if it was factory built you should check the fan to confirm it is blowing out of the box. Also you really should not remove the covers since the airflow efficiency of the fans across the components depend on them! If you remove the cover its kinda like sucking through a straw with a large hole on the side. The previous suggestion about replacing the fan with something with a higher CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). What about your video card is there a fan on it? Is it working? How about hte one on the CPU? If there are multiple fans on the box make sure they do not oppose each other. Dress the cables in the box for better airflow. you may also want to check the CPU ratio. That is CPU speed divided by FSB (frontside bus) there is a setting for that in BIOS somewhere, probably under something like advanced features. If your unit is over clocked using this value then it could lockup during intense operation.

Hi, I'd also check and ensure your power supply fan is operating correctly as well.

1. Make sure that you have a good CPU fan.

2. Make sure that you have at least a 300 Watt power supply. 350 to 400 Watts would be better.

3. For video work on XP, install more RAM.
Doubling the amount of RAM would not be a bad idea.
In fact, if the power supply and CPU fan are okay, it may be that your RAM is over-heating.

4. Add a case fan or 2.
I set up my systems with 1 or 2 fans blowing air into the case with filters over them.

Chas

carlos...i'll give it a try...

Another thing to make sure is that all dust and dirt are removed from the inside of the machine. They sell cans of compressed air that are good for dusting electronics. Just make sure the machine is off before you use the air.

If you only have a 250 Watt powersupply, that could be causing a problem. If the system is unable to get all of the power it needs, then it will freeze. Especially with the new graphics card, you are probably pulling quite a bit of power. You may want to consider upgrading the powersupply. It will usually say its wattage on the side of the powersupply.

If you computer runs better with the case off, you likely have a cooling issue as well. As said in the above posts, you should install some case fans if it doesn't have any already.

By "check to see if the power supply fan is working" it means that you should put your hand behind the power supply fan and see if it is blowing air out.

Did your motherboard come with any type of temperature monitoring software? Most motherboards do in one way or another. You may want to check in your BIOS as some have a temperature monitor in there as well. This would help you determine if you really do have a heat issue.

IF all of the fans that were in the PC before it started freezing are still working then putting the casing back on will assist the air flow around the MB and its bits. If it is still locking up do what I had to do with mine add an internal fan to assist circulation and an exhaust fan to speed the exit of the warm air.

Dave

250 watts is too small of a power supply for your system.

It would have been marginal with the TNT card. With the 5200, it is too small.

A new power supply may fix all of your problems.

I would step up to a 400 watt supply with dual fans.

Chas

OK you got a ton of good info from everyone of these posts. I think we all agree you appear to have a overheating issue. Think about that! The fans in your system is to remove the heat build up inside the box (case). The enclosure (box, case, metal box, or shielded plastic, thingy) is designed so as to shield the circuitry from RF, EMI and any other type of transmitted interference. It also keeps the stuff generated (more RF, radio frequency) inside the box from messing with your home electronics. The placement of the fan or fans are such that it uses the physics of this case, box, enclosure, metal thingy as a duct. Kinda like your central air ventilation system. It steers the airflow efficiently over, across and around the components in the box. removing heat. The little fan on the CPU removes heat off the CPU but it cannot push it out of the box, remember box=case etc. Since you removed the covers and it seems to help it appears to point to a fan problem. Which one? That is easy! CHECK THEM ALL!
These are recomendations:
1)Upgrade power supply to a higher wattage
2)Dress (make orderly) the ribbon cables inside so they do not block airflow.
3)check every fan, visually confirm the CPU and video fans work. Use your hand to feel for air blowing out of power supply fan grill.
4)there may not be a seperate case fan, consider adding one blowing out not in. Fans blowing in are vacuum cleaners. Installing a filter is a high maintenance setup. you will have to clean or replace it every few days. If you forget or neglect it then you will have a heat build up problem again. If you want you can install two fans opposite each other one sucking out the other sucking in so what comes in goes out along with the hot air. THE FAN IS TO REMOVE HOT AIR not pull in cold air since it will basically preasurize the case and possibly reduce the efficiency of that tiny CPU and video card fan through air resistance. This may also create air pockets of heat, given insuffucient grill wor

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