A little background on my computer. I've run a Dell Dimension 4700 with XP for almost four years now. 80GB HD with a hair over half free, and a 120GB external HD. 1GB RAM. I reformatted 2 months ago, and it's run much smoother since.

The problem is my computer has been crashing quite frequently for the past few days. Everything but the mouse will lock up, and if I try to do anything from there, the mouse will freeze and my computer (not the speakers) will produce the steady "you fucked up" error noise. I can't find any real pattern for the crashes, although they do happen most frequently when I try to multi-task. I've never had anything like this happen before, and I didn't add anything that correlates with first crashes.

I reinstalled an internal thermometer to gauge the heat, and it's high (between 126-132F), but it's always run about that hot. Like I said, I reformatted recently, and the computer has been under much more strained conditions, so I'm not quite sure what the problem may be.

Any insight, recommendations or solutions? The road less cost is appreciated on the collegiate budget.

sounds like the alternating flavinoid component

Latest drivers? Get em from dell's site.

It seems like heat is the major cause. Things crash once I reach a certain internal temperature. Before that, everything runs fine.

So, what do I need to do?

Remember when I asked you about drivers? Here it is:
oh, don't forget new firmware.

Prop the back end of your laptop up so that it can get better ventilation. A book works.

put on a seat belt ya dummy!