internal workstation temp

This is what I use for all my computer heat issues.  It monitors all temperature censors your computer has.

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

It's called Speedfan.

Doh, should have refreshed after I got off the phone.

I doubt it is overheating. My main laptop is a Precision m6300 workstation. I had the same kind of freezing problems and it was passing all the Dell Diagnostic tests, nevertheless....freezing several times a day.
It turned out to be a bad memory stick when I ran the long multiple iterations test and left it running overnight. The constant freezing and rebooting also damaged my hard drive so I ended having to replace it as well.
These laptops normally run very hot 59-70 C .... (it will depend on which processor it has)....
Bits ...

MotherBoard Monitor is a good alternative to SpeedFan
http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=311


It could be temp-related, but it also could be software, or what BitsBytes suggests.  Try running on 50% of your RAM and see how it is - if still stable, try the other 50%.  MemTest86 is another decent RAM tester.  The only way to test your software is to either run for a significant period in Safe Mode, or to use an alternative OS - make a bootable Knoppix CD, and run for an hour or ten on that...

I have reinstalled software and drivers ad nauseum. I swapped out the video card with another machine and the other machine has had so problems (so far). i'm thinking either memory (it has 4 GB) or mother board or fans. I think i'll try the memory next.

I ran extended Dell tests and re-ran the freezes up tests and everything came back as 'passed all tests'.  I let it run overnight so it had enough time to complete the self diagnosis. now what?

Software.... I you passed all the diagnostics, the problem is with the either the OS or some application freezing it.
Has the user mentioned a sequence of events that freezes his computer (I would ask just in case)?. Otherwise your are looking at a Windows Repair install or a Clean Install (whichever you prefer).
See the attached document that will help you through the process...
Bits ...

How-to-perform-a-repair-installa.pdf

actually he has. when using Solidworks and doing a 'zoom ' on a drawing is where it all started. I have uninstalled and re-installed Solidworks, but the user has said the freezing continued. It has even happened when not using SolidWorks but ust using MS office software. Windows repair, huh?

It is a relatively new machine and is still under warranty. I have also contacted Dell but they were directionless for a while. the temperature thing did shed more light on the situation.