'Error and has to close" from multiple programs

My comp restarts randomly(?). Multiple programs from Google Earth and firefox to win32dll and rundll as app and many more in between randomly(?) generate “this app has encounered errors and has to restart” errors.

Sometimes I can get a few hours out of the machine before it starts restarts. Sometimes only a few minutes.
I keep a tight ship on my PC (winXP pro) I use up to date anti spyware, antiviral, etc.

I have recently run a full set of scans for malware and rootkits etc using multiple AV products, hijack this and multiple AS products in regular and safe mode. Comp shows as clean.
I have also tried replacing the psu. This seemed to help for about a day. But the problem is back again.

I’m not sure what else is LIKELY to be causing the problem. I’d rather not reformat only to find out that it’s a hardware prob.

I’ve currently pulled a pair of ram sticks and am waiting to see if the problem will replicate.

I have a known good video card that I’ll try next.

Any helpful guesses or suggestions?

Just to be clear, there’re two symptoms:

  1. multiple random(?) programs shut down w/ error messages; and,

  2. the comp restarts w/o warning

3) hi opal

Multiple, apparently unrelated, fatal errors are usually indicative of a hardware issue. The first thing I would look at is CPU cooling, since overheating can certainly cause the symptoms you are describing. Make sure your fans are spinning and that they are clean and unobstructed by errant cables or debris. Make sure the processor fan is well-seated and if need be, pull it and give it a fresh glob of heat sink compound or replace the heat sink gasket, whichever is applicable.

I should add that

the case and component temps are all under 45C

all fans clear and functional

I have already reseated everything in the case

this comp shares a ups w/ another unaffected comp
Thanks for your reply QED

What kind of graphics card and processor do you have? How much RAM?

Google Earth is a heavy program. Does your shutdown happen only when you have that open?

Now, I had a problem with my work PC that Google Earth presented. That was due to a bum video card though.

I’d give it a night’s run using Memtest and see if anything pops up.

radeonx800gto
2gig
everything’s been fine for quite a while

sure, why not? ty