PC freezes constantly when playing higher end games

[GuitarZeroZ312]

Computer specs:

eMachines T2892 AMD Athlon XP 2800+
2.09 GHz, 1.50 GB of RAM (RAM upgraded - 512 MB RAM came with PC)

Operating system:

Windows XP Home Edition 32bit w Service Pack 2
DirectX 10 beta for XP (upgraded from 9.0 because I was having this same problem with DirectX 9.0)

Video card:

NVIDIA GeForce 6600

Sound:

NVIDIA NForce

Problem:

My computer freezes constantly when I try to play higher end games even though my computer is well above the minimum system requirements. After it freezes there's nothing I can do except reboot and when I push any keyboard buttons or click the mouse I sometimes hear the tower beep.

Games it freezes with: Max Payne, Max Payne 2, and Hitman Blood Money (I've tried GTAIII and GTA Vice City though and have had no problems). Sometimes I can play the Max Payne games for over an hour before it freezes but other times it will freeze within just a few minutes of running the games (lowering the graphics settings seems to help slightly but it's still a constant problem). Hitman always freezes in less than five minutes even with the lowest settings. My computer also sometimes freeezes when I'm just browsing the net or running other programs but not nearly as often.

As far as I know my drivers are up to date. I ran a free Memtest program to check for RAM errors and none were detected. I also downloaded Everest to monitor internal temperatures to see if the computer was overheating (it's summer and outdoors the temperature has been in the 100s lately).

Here are my current temperatures:

Motherboard: 111F

CPU: 120F (CPU doesn't usually run over 20% before I launch a game)

GPU: 117F

Cooling fan speed:

3668RPM

If anything this is probably an overheating problem because nothing else seems wrong with my system. I opened the tower and cleaned the dust off the fan but it hasn't made the temperatures drop much. The computer was a gift and I think it's just a cheep fan that came with the tower.

[thedarkwolf25]

Can you please also list your Power Suppy make and model? All those temps seem to be in normal ranges.

Does this occur at any other times or only when playing games?

Also try downloading SensorsView and see if it gives any different numbers. -LINK-

[GuitarZeroZ312]

Power supply (control panel - performance and maintenance - power options) says "The UPS (uninterruptible power supply) service is currently stopped", and doesn't list the manufacturer or model.

[Tiber Septim]

Hi GuitarZeroZ312, welcome to TSF.
To check the Power Supply you will have to remove the side of the case. There should be a large brick shaped box. Post the details that are on the label on the side of that.

Those temperatures you took, was that when the system was idle or after briefly running a game?

Also, DX10 is not meant for XP. It is very unstable and isn't even supported anymore, I would highly recommend removing it.
To do so, follow these steps:

Start -> Run
Type: regedit
On the left there is a big list. Choose: HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> MICROSOFT DIRECTX
Now delete the DirectX folder and restart the PC.

After the PC reboots, download this registry key:
http://www.freewebs.com/clanhzo/dx9.rar
Unzip it with WinRAR and double click on the registry key to execute it.
Now download the latest DirectX from here.
Restart the PC.

[GuitarZeroZ312]

Uninstalled Directx10.

UPS make and model:

Bestec, Model: ATX-300-12E

http://www.censuspc.com/Bestec-ATX-3...--pr-3130.html

[Mcninjaguy]

You should be running a PSU (power supply unit not UPS Uninterrupted power supply) like this one.

Corsair 450w
$75
after rebate $60
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817139003

[GuitarZeroZ312]

Originally Posted by Mcninjaguy

You should be running a PSU (power supply unit not UPS Uninterrupted power supply) like this one.

Corsair 450w
$75
after rebate $60
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817139003

Okay thanks everyone for the help. I'll replace my PSU and see if that solves the problem.