PC Freezing at medium/maximum CPU speed.

Yeah, I've been dealing with my PC freezing at 800 MHz *Maximum, crappy P3* and well, it all started when I was playing this game Monster & Me, this person killed me, then I exited right when I died, and then went to IM a friend, half way through the message, the PC froze, I turned it off, and back on, and went to IM him again, but again, it froze. After being frustrated, I took my soundcard out (since it has times where it works/doesn't) so I turned it back on, and it froze at the "Welcome" screen, so I finally went into setup (pushing DEL when it boots up ya know) and lowered the CPU speed to 366 MHz (I can't even play a game/watch a movie without major lag, watching a movie causes the movie to be un-synchronized with the sound) and if I turn it to 550 MHz, it starts to freeze also, 366 MHz is my only speed it can run at, without having to deal with the freezing problem. So, I came here for help, any suggestions?

 

Get it, Place 2 sticks on Dyanmite and light them. Then stand back and watch the flames. Then go the shop and buy ANY proccssor and ask him if the motherboard you pick up and the ram you pick up will work...

No, Im seriously not messing...

 

sounds like overheating. open the case and with a can of compressed air, blow off the CPU hsf (heatsink fan) see if that helps

 

Thanks, Iandoh! I tried your suggestion! IT WORKED; besides that stupid suggestion, Viper, I tried yours, and I mean, I did blow ALOT of junk out of it, I mean, big dust chunks, but still, nothing. I asked a friend of mine, and he said that its probably miswiring if its overheating; know anything about that?

 

My idea wasn't stupid, It was a deadly seriously responce...

 

download speedfan and check your temps. i think you can set it to give you a warning when it hits a certain temp so depending on your processor set it somewhat low (70C, + or -) so you have time to stop whatever you're doing and not overheat again; not good lol