DoD Freezes computer...

[Gym Shoe -I|G-]

EXACT ERROR MESSAGES: No Error, Just complete system freeze.
WHAT HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE IS AFFECTED: I don't know
WHEN / HOW OFTEN DOES THE PROBLEM OCCUR: The problem occurs only when I run Source games. It freezes at different times. Sometimes after ten minutes, half an hour, or up to 5 hours of running time. I have tried running Unreal Tournament 2004 and it seemed fine. I played for hours a couple different times.
RECENT CHANGES (SOFTWARE / HARDWARE / ETC): No new hardware. One windows update that I can recall.
LAST TIME COMPUTER WORKED FINE: Three weeks ago.
RECENT EVENTS: <power outage / lightning / BSOD> Nothing to speak of.
THINGS YOU HAVE ALREADY TRIED TO FIX PROBLEM: I have tried everything on the source website reccomendations for crashes. I uninstalled my anti virus, updated my drivers, I tried a system restore: which I reversed. Disabled all my network options except the one I am using now Wireless. There is more... but I can't remember.
COMPUTER SPECS:
System Manufacturer alienware
System Model Aurora m9700
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 36 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~2412 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. W830D317, 8/7/2006
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Total Physical Memory 2,048.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 1.45 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 3.85 GB

Operating System: xp pro


Video Card: Dual NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS SLI 512mb

Sound Card: Name SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Manufacturer Analog Devices, Inc.

Hard drive: Size 74.53 GB (80,023,715,840 bytes)
Free Space 45.57 GB (48,935,731,200 bytes)


Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am kind of stuck on this issue. And my gaming experience is suffering.

Thank you.

 

[=(eG)=Sushi]

its the xp pro i think xp pro is the minium, but its very hard to run a game that uses steam engine on the minium ,but thats just my opiniuon NOTE im not a computer genius but i no my stuff

 

[Shoe]

In the video options, click advanced, under High Dynamic Range, is that set to Off? If not try setting that to off and see what happens

 

[Gym Shoe -I|G-]

Thanks Shoe. I just tried it with the same results.

 

[Autoaim]

Are you sure your system is getting cooled enough? Maybe a blown out fan on the gpu? I would check that.

 

[Gym Shoe -I|G-]

I would like to thank the ppl who responded to this thread. And I am happy to tell everyone that the computer freeze problem is fixed!
Happy day.

And the winner is Autoaim.... Yes you were right, the gpu's were overheating. I just cleaned them out and made a cooling pad for the laptop. This solved the problem. I guess a year of dust and crud made the GPUs overheat.

Thanks again.

 

[Numb3rs]

Lol, saw this post just now. Same thing was happening to my wife's laptop. Oh well, glad you got it fixed.