Need an opinion on this confusing issue.
This system was running fine.
With no warning it now locks up (freezes) after being on for about 1.5 minutes. Turning it off is the only option and then it starts right back up, only to freeze again in about 1.5 minutes. I have gone into the Bios at Boot (hold down DEL) and watched the CPU Temperature. It freezes up even in the Bios. The last temperature I saw was 100f and the fans were running fine. The fact that it freezes up in the Bios menus I think means the hard drive is okay since we did not get to start booting from the drive yet. I think the Power Supply is okay also. I suspect either the CPU or the Motherboard. It is a AMD XP 3200 on a Biostar Motherboard. The freaky thing that keeps getting me is how consistant it is. Whether in Bios or Windows Login, about 1.5 minutes +\- .5 minutes, it freezes up. Any thoughts? :(

Hi,

The fact that your CPU temp is 100f and it locksup everytime just in 1.5 min is very unusal, so it can't be the heat but I say just go ahead and openup the case and run a fan at CPU. Maybe the temp reading is not working. Did you test the PS? Does your video card has a heatsink or fan?

I have the side cover off for more air. I have seen it lock up as low as 85 degrees. I get the "one" usual beep at start up. I guess that would not happen if there was a CPU or Mobo problem right? The Video is on board and the fan is turning good for it. I don't know ... Power Supply?

Or perhaps the RAM...........................

Check each memory chip individually and swap as well to see if this corrects the lockups. You might also test with the program memtest86 but you'd need to access another PC to then download onto a floppy which you then test for a few hours.

If you CPU temp is 85f then it can't be the temp, assuming the reading is correct.

BTW, removing the side cover off would defeat the air flow in your case and causes more problems. If you are experimenting with heat issues, you should run air into/or away from your MB by a fan.

If a Power Supply can't provide clean elecricity to your CPU/MB, your CPU would stop functioning. Just a mere suggestion.

Thanks for all the feedback and ideas.
Tonight I will swap the RAM with known good ram in my other computer. Both computers are using PC3200 DDR and all are the same manufacturer. After that I think I will change the Power Supply. A 350w Antec does not cost too much and having a spare supply around (if that's not it), won't go to waste.
Thanks Again, I'l let ya know. :)

Yeah! It turned out to be the Power Supply.
Thanks Again for your help.
:D