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Random lockups are usually hardware related, including during idle time, are usually create by a hardware issue.<br />
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Overheating - With the computer off and unplugged, open the cover of the computer and careful vacuum out any dust, paying special attention to the fans and heat sinks. &nbsp;Once completed, leave the cover off and turn on the machine to make sure all of the fans are spinning.<br />
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There may be failing memory in the computer. &nbsp;You can download Microsoft memory diagnostic (burn ISO to CD) from <a href="http://oca.microsoft.com/en/mtinst.exe" rel="ugc nofollow">http://oca.microsoft.com/en/mtinst.exe</a>&nbsp;--- be sure to enter Extended mode of the diagnostic.<br />
Or you can try Memtest86+ from <a href="http://www.memtest.org" rel="ugc">http://www.memtest.org</a><br />

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Is there a modem installed in your computer that you are not using? &nbsp;If you are not using that modem, remove it. &nbsp;Failing modems can cause eratic behavior, including hanging during operation or startup.
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you &nbsp;can monitor the temperature with speedfan : <a href="http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php" rel="ugc">http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
you can also check which device is causing it with the elimination procedure :<br />
disconnect all devices you won't use, and start with the minimum connected :<br />
mobo + cp u + 1 ram stick, video card, keyboard + mouse, 1 harddisk, power supply<br />
does it hang now ? if yes, it is one of the connected, if no, the disconnected<br />
if yes, swap devices out 1 by one till the bad one is found<br />
you can also diagnose software with msconfig (from the run box) :<br />
disable all startup items --&gt; hang ? if N, disable 1/2 of the items, and test again, etc...
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Thanks Steve,<br />
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OK no lock-up in 48+hours in safe mode. I can't remember how to eliminate drivers etc individually as the source of the problem. Again, there is nothing physically attached to the machine at this time except keyboard, mouse and monitor. Ideas?
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Hi - Purchased this machine 4 years ago, and would like to be able to set up for my pre-teens to use. Since the day I bought this PC it has suffered from a major flaw; it locks up. It appears to be a random occurrence. It can be left on the windows desktop with no apps running and it will still hang. I have removed the adapter cards and disconnected everything but the monitor, keyboard and mouse, hoping it was a simple hardware conflict, but to no avail. I considered flashing the BIOS but have read so many horor stories about mother boards rendered useless that I'm not sure I should try. Any help would be appreciated. &nbsp;
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Hi - Purchased this machine 4 years ago, and would like to be able to set up for my pre-teens to use. Since the day I bought this PC it has suffered from a major flaw; it locks up. It appears to be a random occurrence. It can be left on the windows desktop with no apps running and it will still hang. I have removed the adapter cards and disconnected everything but the monitor, keyboard and mouse, hoping it was a simple hardware conflict, but to no avail. I considered flashing the BIOS but have read so many horor stories about mother boards rendered useless that I'm not sure I should try. Any help would be appreciated.  

PC Lock Up

A desktop computer is a personal computer designed for use at a single location due to its size and power requirements, usually by one person. The most common configuration has a case that houses the power supply, motherboard, disk storage (usually one or more hard disk drives and optical disc drives); a keyboard and mouse for input; and computer monitor and printer for output. The case may be oriented horizontally and placed atop a desk or vertically and placed underneath or beside a desk.

Desktops

A personal computer is a general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities and price make it useful for individuals, and is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer time-sharing models that allowed systems to be used by many people, usually at the same time. Personal computers may be connected to a local area network (LAN), either by a cable or a wireless connection, and through that to the Internet. A personal computer may be a laptop computer or a desktop computer running an operating system such as Windows, Linux or Macintosh OS.