Thanks, Tom. I was visualizing what I needed to do as I was reading your reply.

I think I'll go with testing the most obvious - the heating problem - 
and take it from there. The power supply is 450W.

I really want to save this system since it's my first homebuilt. ;-) 
Any suggestions for makes/models/sources of auxiliary fans, round 
cables, etc. The video card has its own fan, but maybe I can help 
that also, with a slot fan.

Appreciate your help.

I wish you and yours a Joyous, Healthy, and Peaceful New Year.

Regards,

Andrew

At 12/29/2006 06:20 PM, you wrote:
 >As you do, I would first suspect a heat problem and second suspect a
 >weakened and/or overworked power supply.
 >
 >As to heat, I'm sure you have checked to make sure all the fans, heat
 >sinks and case filter, if equipped, are clean and functioning. I've read
 >a few times that cases are designed for the most effective air flow so,
 >other than service periods, I leave the case closed. I have installed a
 >secondary slot fan blowing onto my video card, a fan blowing onto my
 >hard drives, and an auxiliary case fan to exhaust heat and another
 >auxiliary case fan to bring room air into the case. Fans are cheap
 >compared to the damage that heat can cause. I also use round cables to
[....]
 >Tom Mayer
 >
 >Andrew J. Rozsa wrote:
 >> I am running the following system:

 >>
 >> Whenever I try to burn a DVD (ISO, mp3 collection, etc) lately the
 >> computer shuts down about half way through the job. It has also done
 >> that several times when I was converting large video or audio files to
 >> some other format.

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