Long Time Problem. Please Help!

[c2636784]

I have a Dell 1501 Inspiron running Windows Vista.
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TK-53 1.70 GHz
894 MB
32-bit Operating System
Video: ATI Radeon Xpress 1150

My problem is, ever since I received this Dell I have been having random computer freezes and crashes. I have reformatted my computer, installed windows updates, and have also tried to update my driver for my video card.
When the computer freezes, the screen will do one of a few things. It will either just freeze where it's at (still being able to see the GUI) or the screen will either be completely filled with colored horizontal or vertical lines. Sometimes, it just goes black with a small square with lines. I have a feeling it is my video card/driver because one time, it almost freezed, and the computer brought a message bubble that said there was a problem detected with my display driver, but that it was able to resolve the unresponsive action.

I have already run the diagnostics from the boot menu before a few months ago. (Had a friend run me through that.) It didn't detect any problems with the Video Card.

I'm not sure what to do from here. But it's frustrating because the computer keeps shutting down incorrectly and I'm afraid if it continues it will eventually destroy my hard drive.

If you could help me or give me advice in any way, I would be really very greatful!!!

Thanks,

Chrissy

 

[The_Other_One]

Problems like that tend to be related to the video, RAM, or heat.

HWMonitor would be a good, easy way to check your temps. Why don't you try the program and post your temps.
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

RAM isn't difficult to check either. There are programs out there to test it (memtest86) but you could also simply remove a stick of RAM (assuming you have a pair) and run like that for a while. If problems persist, swap and see how the other stick works.

As for the GPU, there's not much that could be done about that. Being a laptop and being integrated, once it's gone it's gone. But from what you're saying, I'm still leaning more towards a heat or RAM issue...