Random Restarts---help!

Hey all,

I've read a little about this issue, but the circumstances of other problems similar to this are a little different. What happens on my copmuter is the following.

I launch ANY demanding game, (e.g. AOE3, WoW, GTA:SA, HL2, CS) and my comp crashes anywhere from the instant the first in-game screen appears or within 15mins of play. Also, it crashes after prolonged use of Google Earth (about 20 mins). The crash i refer to is where everything is normal, then in a spilt second, the screen goes black and computer is going through boot sequence. No error messages, or any indication that the computer knows it just crashed and restarted by itself. (this has all murdered the gamer within me)

Tried:
Memtest - and it returned with some errors (would dodgey ram be the problem of this all?)
Placing a stand cooler/fan at side of case, with case side off and fan on full. (heating issue?)

Don't know how long its been going on, or what made it start happening. I'll just say its been happening forever. I've read alot about this crash sorta thing. But can't get any good answers. So people, please, if you have any idea what the problem is, or even better, how to fix it, post away

System Specs:

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz
Mobo: Intel D945PSN
RAM: 1024MB
GFX: ATI Radeon X800
with 400W power supply

I think thats all the specs that are important or could be involved here.

Welcome! In order to find out what the problem is, we need to know more about your computer. Google "CPU-Z" and download the application. Give us the information that it tells you if you don't know about your computer.

Random restarts/reboots/resets/crashes/freezes could be due to several reasons, including overheating, RAM, hardware issues, etc., but rather than playing "20 question" type guessing games, just do the following and post back with the info so that we can narrow it down some.::

Try rebooting(restarting) in safe mode, then go to control panel/ system / advanced Tab/ startup and recovery box/ settings button/ sytem failure and uncheck "restart on system failure" ( take the check out of automatically restart box ) , and check the Write a system event, and the Admin alert boxes (check "send admin alert"). This will force a BSOD on the next crash (freezes/restarts = crashing) that posts the Stop Error Code. On the next crash write down the exact Stop Error Code and post that exact error here back on this thread. (While you're waiting for a reply, you can put that error code in Google search, and in the MS Support Knowledge Base (KB) = http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1]http to check it out.)
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

Also go to your device manager (devmgmt.msc) and check the properties and look for anything suspicious and check that the settings are where they should be.


Edit: Go to and put in your system specs at = http://www.crucial.com/support/install.asp = "Eliminate the hassle and risk of getting the wrong memory — In just 3 easy steps our Memory Advisor™ tool will show you exactly the right upgrade for your computer."
=" The Crucial System Scanner automatically detects your computer's information and gives you the details you need to purchase a compatible upgrade. To run the Crucial System Scanner, you need Microsoft Windows 95 or higher. " http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner

+ 4allmemory.com]http://www.4allmemory.com

memoryx.com]http://www.memoryx.com


Test your ram with these: = Memtest86+ here: http://www.memtest.org/]http://www.memtest.org + Memory Diagnostic Page = http://www.memtest86.com


RAM Reliability Test = http://hcidesign.com/memtest

Ram Idle = http://www.freewareweb.com/cgi-bin/archive.cgi?ID=1423

Everest Home Edition Successor to AIDA32: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html = Find out what speed ram you have and how many open slots you have. Get the same speed RAM and add it to a vacant slot.