John -

I don't think what you are experiencing is entirely related to heat.
The Athlon CPU's *do* run hot, but 50-51c is not very hot for a CPU
(for example, your CPU is rated for up to 90c).  You should check to
see if your m/b supports CPU throttling when it gets too hot.  If it
does, then it may be set to throttle the CPU WAY back at too low of a
temp.
Having said that, I will now back-pedal some and say I doubt that's
the problem, but it's easy to check in the CMOS setup so can't hurt
to look.  However, it sounds to me like you might have a problem with
the motherboard...maybe one of those very small electronic components
near the CPU is having problems...

Just my 2-cents <grin>

Tony Mayer




>Peter-
>You are running an Intel P4 cpu which supposedly doesn't  have heat problems
>so this may not be of help
>I have a similiar situation with my box. I am running an AMD Athlon XP2000+
>cpu . After checking everything I could think of, I started monitoring the
>cpu temp closely with PC Alert III Sytem Monitor. This gives me a continuous
>moment to moment reading of the cpu and chassis temps. The cpu normally runs
>at about 44 to 46c but for some as yet undetermined reason it will suddenly
>jump up to 50 or 51c. At that point it will usually freeze. Only way out is
>to hit reset. Have cleaned, installed more fans, Renewed thermal compound,
>installed different amounts and brands of memory, but problem seems to
>persist. I was a computer tech for 20 years so it is rather vexing that I
>cannot seem to pin point the exact cause.
>
>HTH
>John Dinges

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