Strange Computer Problem

[00obrimw]

I built a computer for a friend of my brothers a little over two years ago. He said something was wrong with it and I've had a look at it but I can't figure it out. When you turn it on it runs fine for a little while then hardlocks. Sometimes you can get it to turn on again by restarting but after a while when you turn it back on the monitor doesnt pick up the video signal, the light just blinks how it does when in standby. Messing with the hardware inside seems to let you turn it back on (reseating the ram was the quickest). I've tried the computer with another monitor, video card, ram, power supply with no improvement, which only leaves cpu or motherboard. But I thought I'd ask you guys what you thought because I cant be bothered messing round with it too much if there is a simple explanation to the whole thing. It's got me stumped anyway.

Specs:
Athlon XP 2800+
Radeon 9600XT
Gigabyte 7N400 Pro2 nForce2 Motherboard
512mb Kingmax ddr400

 

[muftiman]

My old PC did that to me, try changing the MOBO. That should do the trick.

 

[KGB]

Are the capacitors on the MB going/gone bad?

Check THIS SITE for more details.

 

[00obrimw]

Been a bit busy lately but just got round to doing some more testing of the machine. At the moment it's failing memtest, but if it fails it again with known good ram, that would indicate faulty motherboard right? CPUs don't just go bad do they?

 

[jackschmittusa]

Could the Northbridge chipset be overheating?

 

[00obrimw]

Hadn't thought of that, I'll check it but I doubt its the problem. The NB only has a passive heatsink and with no dust in it I can't see how it would be fine for a couple of years and then start playing up. I tried some other ram in the system and instead of memtest reporting errors it just locks after a while. From what I can tell it must be something to do with the motherboard so I think I'll just get it replaced. Thanks for you reply.