Computer keeps freezing.

[Enemy of the State]

Ok, yesterday i was playing Medieval II total war, when suddenly an error comes up. Dont remember the exact text, but it said it was a graphical error mostly caused by setting the.. settings too high. Though they were fine, i think the graphics stuff was on medium even as i was too lazy to change after a reinstall, i had them on very high before. My computer can handle it.
So i reboot. I play some GTA San Andreas instead, get to play 5 minutes then alot of red stripes seem to come on the screen and it freezes. PC wont respond to anything,ctrl+alt+del, alt+f4 or even the big shutdown button.

I think the graphical error and what happened with GTA San Andreas is releated? It happens with every game now.
Missing out on Medieval II total war!

[Freddie]

If you computer keeps freezing I suggest you keep it away from cold places.

Since knowone has found my joke funny I’ll better post something decent. The most common culprit of a computer freezing up is a build up of heat. Now why is your machine overheating just recently when you had no problems with it a few months ago? Well take of the side pannel from your computer and I'll bet it looks something like this.




Ok maybe not, but the point I'm tryign to make is that your fans are clogged up with dust and debrie which needs to removed urgently otherwise it cause serious damage.

Now then, Dust, high in fat or low fat? Anybody? Dust, high in fat or low fat? Anybody? Dust......

[Erax]

This might be about your video card, i suggest you take a look at it.

[Erik]

It could be that your computer is overheating (ironically computers often "freeze" when they get hot).
Check your temperatures and let it cool down for a while. (I think running your computer idle cools it down faster than switching it off because this way the fans keep spinning).
Try again when the temperatures have dropped about 5 degrees.

I have similar problems on hot summer days when my room temperature is high.
Reducing clock speeds on hot days solves my problem.

[Citizen]

(ironically computers often "freeze" when they get hot).

That isn't ironic in the slightest because it doesn't mean that sort of freezing anyway. I know what you're trying to say and why you said it, but it's freezing as in stopping - I know you know that, but just to re-enforce what I am saying =D