Random computer crashes

[Fallso]

Computer will stick...then just not respond, can't even move mouse, any music I have on stops and nothing happens on my screen.

Also, when I click the restart button on the PC it takes like 1-3 seconds to actually restart, whereas normally it's instant.

PC is also like..2 weeks old

Any clues? Q_Q

[Luto]

uninstall vista and install XP

[Shuemue]

PSU strong enough?

[Fallso]

500w it is, only started doing this yesterday.

just a fyi:

3.0ghz (overclocked from 2.4ghz) Intel dual core
2gb corsair ram
8800GT
500w PSU
250gb HD..Maxtor
onboard sound

[Avanarius]

enough volts on cpu? Might be on default and you need to put it up a bit.

How often does it happen?

[Fallso]

Quite often..think last one took about 20-30 mins

[Fallso]

Got 1.4480 V on my CPU, dunno if that's good or bad, came overclocked by default by the person I bought it off of

[Shuemue]

Phone the cunt?

[Fallso]

Ebay seller, so no phone number, and we weren't on exactly good terms with him (had to open a dispute over fscking packaging)

[Shuemue]

Is it a branded PSU or a generic 500w?

[Fallso]

Branded, Artic Cooling I think it's called

[Isiolia]

Have any software for bells and whistles installed? I had a similar problem with my HTPC where it would hard lock after a (usually) short amount of time. I didn't have those problems setting XP up on it initially, and I suspect the software for the remote/VFD/iMon HTPC crap might be the cause as it seems to be working fine after a wipe and installation of basic XP/drivers.
I thought PSU and all as well, but it just doesn't seem to be the case. Does it do that in Safe Mode too? Have problems running off of a Knoppix (or other live Linux distro) CD? Could also try doing a RAM scan and all as well. My experience with those is that you'll usually see an automatic reboot, but never know.

I'd say to get things set to default/conservative settings if you haven't already, and try testing the hardware. If you don't see problems if not running on Windows, then try redoing the install.

[Fallso]

Doesn't do it in safe mode, haven't had a freeze for 2 hours now..so hoping that disabling my overclocking did it.

[Shuemue]

it's possible it was overheating with the OC

[Rags]

It can be a number of things really. You can be overheating. It could be faulty hardware, drivers, cmos and VISTA!!

If it persists or happens again maybe you should have it checked out.

[Elesirdur]

See if you can get a monitoring program from your motherboard's manufacturer. ASUS, Gigabite, and others all have programs that will monitor things like CPU and RAM temperatures, fan speeds, and Voltage readings. Good tools to analyze computer problems if you suspect hardware problems.

[Fallso]

Reset the OCing to normal..and it stayed on all night, think when I formatted the HD and put vista on that it screwed up the OC profile that was on there and it just got worse and worse. Need to OC it back to 3.0ghz now, lol.

Thanks for the help everyone