XP Freeze....Help Please

I'll try to give you as many details as possible so sorry if there isnt enough but please ask any further questions and I'll try to add the details. This problem occurs in my girlfriends computer with XP randomly freezes on her both in the middle of process or even if just sitting idle. It usually will remain working for approx 30 - 45 min after startup before freeze. Its running XP on an old 1.2 GHZ Intel Celeron Gateway with 256 MB of RAM.

For a little background:

It originally ran ME but that sucked and was later upgraded from 128 MB to 256 and XP by a roommate (from clean install). Ran slow but consistent with some freezing until Norton system works was installed then all hell broke loose. I recomended removal of system works to her protest. I did tweak it so many of the processes werent running but problems previal. Is it simply system works or the power supply? Or is her comp just too slow to handle XP with all of her BS programs running in the background? Would a removal of system works and downgrade to a more basic norton help? Or is a 2000 installation inevitable?

Thanks in advance for your help.....but I'm still not sure why she needs a computer; she thinks she knows everything anyway

 

Rmove Norton System Works, completely from the computer. It is a serious resource hog and could be the cause of your girlfriends compuer problems. Before unistalling NSW make sure you have a AV/Firewall solution ready to be installed before connecting the computer to the Internet.

This thread has some very good programs you can consider as replacements:
How to Protect yourself from malware!

 

After talking to her agian I wanted to add a followup to this. It seems that there may even be a over heating issue as well. The computer will run for the initial time before freeze. Then when its restarted it runs for less time before freezing again and runs for longer times after sitting for awhile after each freeze. Could the new RAM be contributing to this problem or would a new fan on the inside help?

 

The new ram may be problematic, not fully compatible with her Mobo. Cleaning the inside of the case, and fans should help immensely with overheating.