There can be, unfortunately, lots of causes for a problem such as this, both hardware and software. Is there any common denominators? Does it always happen with one application? Is there any time factors?

Heat can cause all kinds of strange problems. Are the fans in your case running and clean? Get a can of that compressed "air" and blow out any accumulated dust (use a pencil or similar object to hold the fan blades in place to keep them from spinning wildly.

As this is a Phenom quad core processor it seems fair to assume the computer is not that old? Is this a home or local build if so was the stock processor fan used?

You can check for a heat issue, which seems very likely, with Speccy. This is a neat little free program that will tell you quite a bit of information including the operating temperature of the hard drives, video card and processor. In your case it will show the temps on all 4 processors. To give you an idea my PhenomII triple core processor runs around 24 to 26 Celcius when not under load.

owbist here is a speecy screen shot of my cpu. Is it within a normal range?

Vala your CPU temps are alright as far as I see. Remember though any program rating temps can be off by several degrees, just for future reference. You can always enter the BIOS on start up and see the upper limits set there.

Notice your graphics card is considerably higher but today's faster video cards tend to run hotter. Is this an integrated video card or separate daughter board?

I don't have any idea about the video card. It's probably on the specs I printed off of Speecy. I don't know much about things like that. I have not gone into BIOS either. When I buy a new computer I take in the specs of my old one to be sure I get one as good.

Sorry the photo was so large.

Well-thanks for the suggestions and ideas...

Bought new in Feb 2008

I photogragh-so lotsa pics and editing programs. When i got this 'puter it was near best at the time for what I needed.

Did all the cleaning before reformatting...

Common denominator-
It seems to happen when the internet's on and or have two three tabs open(ing).

There is no time-just stops. Then you can be on it for a while and nothing happens. Today 3 times it did it...As of now doesn't seem to be any kind of glitch....The drive sounds smooth...but you know what, I just remembered after I cleaned the inside-the fan on the motherboard did made noise for about 5 mins then quieted down and has since.

I did dl speccy-that is a cool prog. Hows it look????

Thanks again

Well that seems to eliminate the heat issue perhaps. So as Mike notes it could be any piece of hardware. Give us a make and model and whether there is any extra RAM (memory) added.

I photogragh-so lotsa pics and editing programs
Photo editing can be very demanding on resources, what program are you using for that?

Yes I find Speccy to be a useful tool. As I noted to Vala55, you should always use the same program when checking temps as no program gives it totally correct so by using the same program you can at least get a comparison between each check.

Is this what you're asking for?

There is no added RAM. I have'nt added anything-all original components.

I had PS-Cs5, NX, Irfanview, added plugins & photoscape with PS & Irfanview used the most. I only added Irfanview/plugins and photoscape after reformat.

Any indications in the device manager?? Yellow or red exclaimation points???

You have 3 gigs of RAM so that should not be an issue.

The make and model number of the computer should show on the front of the tower if this is a desktop. Also it will show on a sticker on the rear, if a laptop then the sticker will be on the underside.

How much free space do you have on the hard drive? Click start then My computer and it should show there, if not right click on the C: drive and click Properties in the pop up menu.

Gateway GT5662-
Petitioned into 2-
C has 146gbs
D has 227gbs

No yellow or red exclamations in device manager, but in the event viewer there is. Posted a clickable to view larger (hope you can see it and the blue highlight was for a point of reference when I put it together)

Thanks so kindly....

Juanita

you are on the right track in the event viewer, what you need to do is on each of those items that are red or yellow flagged right click them or double click them to open up a box with more info, that will give you the error code and some description of what is happening and may let you know what is causing the event. Event codes can be googled to find more info on the event.

Thanks everyone for the best shot and trouble shootin....i have been trying to keep track of whats happening. Here's what I have noticed---Sometimes it just freezes, mouse, keyboard-does not respond to control-alt-delete at that point. Then I push button for off.

2nd-the computer goes off but the blue light is still on and can still hear running, The monitor is blank though. AGain the off button to make it go off...

RAn thorough test on drive and ram-still checking out okay. Anything else I may be able to use for further testing???

I check device manager and event log. Only event log has yellow exclamations...I check out the event online but it just brings me to a generic page-then Im lost....

Will keep eye out on this-I think I read somewhere that the video card with same symptoms can cause what it does. I guess I just don't understand. It can stay on for hours and nothing happens...

Thanks though for all help you have offered!!!

Might right click your hard drive and select properites.. then the tools tab... schedule a run Error Checking.

When you crash sometimes file name or date gets wacky and can cause problems when something accesses it.

when you go to your event viewer and see the flagged item, double click directly on that line it will open the box with info on that event there will be an event code number that is the number you need to go to google and look up or tell us what the event code is and what it says in that box.

A failing power supply can cause the symptoms you are having. One of the power outputs may be low in voltage or current, or it may have too much ripple.

The current (ampere) draw varies depending on activity. Inrushes of drive motors may be the culprit. For example, the system crashes when the CD drive begins to spin. A hard drive draws extra current when it needs to rapidly position its read/write head, or becomes engaged in a vigorous write operation.

If your power supply is more than 2 years old, or if you have installed additional equipment that takes power from the power supply, there could be momentary voltage drops and this will create havoc.

Okay-back again, :(...Have done error checking-delving into the errors in event log-all okay there -id'ed a few errors. Now the power supply have not checked-it is 2yrs and 8mo old since bought new.

This morning I turned on normal - did internet and walked away when I came back it the screen was all filled with lines.

Would not respond to A-C-D. Buttoned off-when turned back on the usual screen on not shutting down normal and what mode to start. Entered normal but windows would not come up-so when the screen flashed on how to start did a safe mode-did come on and was able to view in that mode.

My helper did a restart and did a boot with withlast known config. Temporarily everything is working correctly. Now I'm here hoping this may help someone-help me! Argh...we are stumped!!!

Thanks for all the patience and help.

I would also consider the power supply it may be on the verge of going out. They are relatively cheap to replace just make sure you get one with plenty of power I usually always go larger than the one that I am replacing.

the screen with all the lines looks like something you see when a video driver or card is on the fritz, but could have been random due to what ever was happening.

I would open the case and do a good cleaning in there check all the connections and make sure your fans are all working especially the one on the power supply, that can not hurt and the cleaning may help if it is heat related, could be fluctuating heat.
Cleaning the Interior of your PC