Make -ASUS P2B-B motherboard with the latest Bios update installed.
CPU - Pentium II 400 mz
Ram- 2 X 128 mb Sdram
Hard Drive - Maxtor 20 g 7200 rpm (free space 18 + gb)
Windows Version - Clean full Install of Win 98SE
Internet Connection - none
Not connected to internet and no anti-virus installed
Graphics Card- Geforce 2 MX 400 64 mb Nvidia with the latest Detonator drivers installed.
Direct X 8.0


Problem:
I am setting up a second computer for my children to use and primarily play games on.I did a clean fresh install of Windows 98SE and all works fine except when they try to play a game.The system runs fine for hours until they play any games.When a game is started it loads and runs fine for about a minute or 2 then the whole system locks up and the only way out is to cold boot.Ctrl-alt-del does nothing.I have tried using different versions of graphics drivers but always the same result.The game requirements are all under 400mhz p2 and the graphics card should be way more than sufficient.The graphics card is good because i used to have it installed in a different comp previous to this one and never had any problems with it.I have tried lowering the hardware acceleration but the same problem exists.Any help would be greatly appreciated , Thanks.

I'm Thinking ram ,you have 2 sticks of 128 ,try pulling one out and play the game ,if still the same put it back and take out the other one and try the game again

...all works fine except when they try to play a game. The system runs fine for hours until they play any games. When a game is started it loads and runs fine for about a minute or 2 then the whole system locks up and the only way out is to cold boot. Ctrl-alt-del does nothing.

You can also try MemTest86 http://www.MemTest86.com. The executable file makes a bootable floppy disk. Just boot from it and run it overnight to exercise the system. Keep an eye on it for the first half hour or so -- any gross errors will likely have shown up by then.

uhh, i dont think this is a memory problem, im thinkging this is more of a DX problem and it might be direclty assicoated with the games, check for any patches or updateded releases and upgraded to the newest version of DX that your system can use

Try downloading DirectX 9.0 {Depending on the game}

Well thanks for the help m8's.Tried swapping ram with no change in the games freezing so i don't think it was a ram thing.I updated everything from video drivers to chipset drivers to direct X and nothing helped.It's definitely not a heat issue as the card has a fan on it thats working and i also took off the cover and had a house fan blowing on the whole works and still the games freeze the comp.I finally went and picked up a Voodoo 3DFX 16 mg card for 15 bucks and the games now work with no problems (go figure)The only thing i can think of is maybe i somehow messed up the Geforce card when swapping it.I will have to test it out on my other system later (i have had enough hardware swapping for a while)Thanks again.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.