Computer has started to freeze while gaming

[clashradio]

I'm not that tech-proficient so I apologize if this is longer than it should be. My machine has started freezing while I'm playing a game. I haven't had any noteworthy problems other than that.

I've had this machine for about 2 years, and have never had a problem. I'm running XP, 2.80 Ghz dual core, 2 GB RAM, NVIDIA GE Force 6600. All the drivers are updated and I got no errors when I ran DxDIAG. NVIDIA has a diagnostic program which I ran and it reported no problems with the video card.

The freezing first started while playing WoW - completely out of the blue, again, after 2 years without a single problem. I went back and forth with Blizzard, assuming it was on their end, but none of their suggested fixes solved the problem (and there were a lot of suggestions).

Now it's started freezing in Madden 08 - it ran the program fine for a couple of weeks and then - boom. It freezes up, though I can still move the mouse around. I have to re-boot to exit. In both Wow and Madden, the freezes don't happen at exactly the same time. For instance, I could run either program for hours before a freeze, or 5 minutes. There's no consistency. I get no error messages. I didn't install any hardware or software prior to the freezing issue, which first started about 4 weeks ago.

I've perused the forums and saw some people with similar issues. I got Sensor view and the sys temp now is 43/110, AUX is 39/103, and HD0 is 34/94. The voltages are VCoreA: 1.42; +3.3V: 3.35V; +5V: 5.07; and +12V: 12.00. As I write this, the CPU usage is ranging between 1% and 5%. I have no idea what any of this means but I note that people are asked to post these numbers when they've had this problem. I also checked out the Power Supply Calculator site but I don't have the tech know-how to answer all of the questions.

Anyone have any earthly idea as to why this thing is freezing?

[clashradio]

Anyone have any thoughts? I tried a system restore, which didn't help.

[FreoHeaveho]

Voltages look ok, but can you please state what PSU that is (brand and model). It certainly does look like a PSU issue. do you get BSOD's?

[clashradio]

I've gotten the BSOD three times, each time it refers to the NV4-disp error. I've read that this is indicative of either PSU or video card problems. I played last night for 3 hours without a freeze. If the card were faulty, wouldn't the freezing be more predictable or constant?

I don't know what the PSU make/wattages are off the top of my heard but I am going to take the tower apart later and check.

[FreoHeaveho]

That certaily does relate to the nvidia driver, however an underpowered gpu can display this issue. Please look into the model and make of your PSU. Can you also pelase post your voltages during load (ie gaming etc) if possible.

[clashradio]

Here's what it says on the side of the PSU: Max continuous 350 W, 300 W Max,

input 100-127v -/ 10A,
47Hz - 63Hz 200-240 v-/ 5A
Output +12Va / 18A, 12Vb/18A
Maz Power +5v/13A, +5V stv/ 2A

350W 3.3v/15A - 12v/ 0.8A

Combined power: 300w. Max continuous 350

It's a Delta Electronics, and it's covered in Chinese writing (lol)

I don't really know what any of this means other than it looks like I have a low level PSU that's putting out 300W. I have checked some out on newegg and have my eye on a 550W. I'm just hoping to be more confident that it really is the psu.

I'll run senor view now and try to load up a game and see what the loads are. I'll post the numbers in a but.

Thank you, btw, for responding and helping me out here. I'm really appreciative.

[FreoHeaveho]

Look i really think a new PSU is in order. Check out PSU selction in my sig. Can you borrow a better quality 550W etc psu to test?

[clashradio]

I don't have access to another one but I don't mind buying a new one, based on what I've been reading. I will check out your PSU section, for sure.

For the record, I am attaching the sensorsview log - taken while playing a game (no freezes).