[rivalbulldog]

My computer keeps freezing all the time I try to encode a DVD, run disk cleanup, play games or videos on quicktime. these are the only situations in which it has frozen. I'm able to recreate the event anytime. do any of the things mentioned and it freezes.

here are my specs to the best of my knowledge
I am using a windows XP PC which is custom built. it has a seagate hard drive, I don't know who made my RAM but it is one stick 768 mb. CPU is Intel Pentium 4 hypherthreaded 2.7 GHZ aproximately, an LG DVD multirecorder / CD rewritable drive, ATI radeon 8500 PCI video card, creative soundblaster PCI sound card. QDI P2PE / 800 Pro Motherboard, OKIA Switching power supply model : OKIA-450ATX 450 w MAX.

plase help me as it is annoying that my computer freezes as I want to be able to do the things that triggers its freezing.

Thanks in advance!

[win2kpro]

The 1st thing I would suspect is low voltage output under stress since you are using an Okia power supply which in my opinion is the bottom of the barrel as far as power supplys go.

With the machine operating use a calibrated digital multimeter with needle probes and test the leads on the main connector where it plugs into the motherboard. The readings should be within + or - 5% on the +3.3V rail (orange wires) +5v rail (red wires) -12v rail (blue wire) and they should be within + or - 10% on the +12v rail (yellow wires). You do not need to test the POWER GOOD/POWER OK (gray wire) since if this lead was bad the machine would not start.

Although + or - 10% is generally accepted as being OK on the +12v rail (yellow wires) personally I prefer to also see this rail within + or - 5 % also.

As a note, a few weeks ago I had an electronics dealer call me trying to sell me a carton of 3 of these power supplys for $45 including shipping. You really can't expect much from a $15 power supply.