Laptop shuts down

[JolienSims]

Hello, I've got a problem with playing the Sims 3.
Problem is, that whenever the loading screen finishes, my laptop blacks out and restarts. I've also once got a graphical glitch when I restarted doing that.

I've updated my graphic card, and checked on a site if my system requirements are okay, which are good.
The laptop was recently repaired for its malfuctioning graphic card though, but when I start up Zoo Tycoon 2, that game does work, so I think the problem may be exclusive to the Sims 3. Another possible but unlikely cause may be that I only have 500 MB of space on my C: disk, I did install the game on my D: disk though ( which has plenty of space ), but the game does say that there may be too little space. On a side note, how do I get the Sims 3, if it works at  least, to save and do all its stuff on my D: disk?

I've skimmed over the other topics but found no advice.

Anybody got any advice?

[GameGirl]

Hmmmm.... Ya know what might help, is if re-format your computer. The game wouldn't run on mine either till I re-formated. Just backup all your stuff first. I came to realize that re-formated is the solution to a lot of problems. 

Give us your comp. specs. and the graphics card you are currently using right now. How much RAM do you have? 

[JolienSims]

I'd rather not reformat my computer, especially because I can't get my data on another computer... Besides, no computer should need a reformating for playing a game.
Anyway here is my DxDiag, should contain all the data you need ( I did delete somethings because otherwise I couldn't post this ).
System Information
Time of this report: 6/24/2009, 16:24:59
      Machine name: MECNB019
  Operating System: Windows Vista™ Enterprise (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506)
          Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
      System Model: MXG061                          
              BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A06
         Processor: Intel® Core™2 CPU         T7600  @ 2.33GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
         Memory: 2046MB RAM
         Page File: 1240MB used, 3090MB available
       Windows Dir: C:\Windows
   DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
    DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode


DirectX Debug Levels

Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)


Display Devices

       Card name: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX
    Manufacturer: NVIDIA
       Chip type: GeForce Go 7950 GTX
        DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
      Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0297&SUBSYS_019B1028&REV_A1
  Display Memory: 1272 MB
Dedicated Memory: 504 MB
   Shared Memory: 767 MB
    Current Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
         Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
     Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
  Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7948 (English)
     DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 1/30/2009 09:12:00, 5976064 bytes
     WHQL Logo'd: No
 WHQL Date Stamp: None
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-41D7-11CF-946C-902101C2CA35}
       Vendor ID: 0x10DE
       Device ID: 0x0297
       SubSys ID: 0x019B1028
     Revision ID: 0x00A1
     Revision ID: 0x00A1
     Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_B ModeWMV9_B ModeVC1_A ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {B338D50D-A64A-4790-AC01-475B64252A78}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                  {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
    DDraw Status: Enabled
      D3D Status: Enabled
      AGP Status: Enabled


Sound Devices

           Description: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
           Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801CE&REV_1022
       Manufacturer ID: 1
            Product ID: 100
                  Type: WDM
           Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
        Driver Version: 6.00.5840.16387 (English)
     Driver Attributes: Final Retail
           WHQL Logo'd: No
         Date and Size: 11/2/2006 09:36:49, 235520 bytes
           Other Files:
       Driver Provider: Microsoft
        HW Accel Level: Basic
             Cap Flags: 0xF1F
   Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
             HW Memory: 0
      Voice Management: No
EAX™ 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
  I3DL2™ Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura™ ZoomFX™: No



USB Devices

+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x27C8
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 1/19/2008 07:53:42, 194560 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 1/19/2008 07:53:17, 5888 bytes
|
+-+ Generic USB Hub
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x413C, 0xA005
| | Location: Port_#0001.Hub_#0001
| | Matching Device ID: usb\class_09
| | Service: usbhub
| | Driver: usbhub.sys, 1/19/2008 07:53:42, 194560 bytes
| |
| +-+ Generic USB Hub
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x0B97, 0x7761
| | | Location: Port_#0002.Hub_#0006
| | | Matching Device ID: usb\class_09
| | | Service: usbhub
| | | Driver: usbhub.sys, 1/19/2008 07:53:42, 194560 bytes
PS/2 Devices
+ Standard PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 1/19/2008 07:49:18, 54784 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 1/19/2008 09:41:52, 35384 bytes

+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 1/19/2008 07:49:18, 54784 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 1/19/2008 09:41:52, 35384 bytes
|
+ Synaptics PS/2 Port Pointing Device
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Upper Filters: SynTP
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: SynTP.sys, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 179256 bytes
| Driver: SynTPAPI.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 143360 bytes
| Driver: SynCOM.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 163840 bytes
| Driver: SynCtrl.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 196608 bytes
| Driver: SynTPRes.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 5648384 bytes
| Driver: SynTPCpl.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 868352 bytes
| Driver: SynCntxt.rtf, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 4017426 bytes
| Driver: SynZMetr.exe, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 237568 bytes
| Driver: SynMood.exe, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 225280 bytes
| Driver: SynTPEnh.exe, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 815104 bytes
| Driver: SynTPCOM.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 102400 bytes
| Driver: Tutorial.exe, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 319488 bytes
| Driver: InstNT.exe, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 110592 bytes
| Driver: SynISDLL.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 626688 bytes
| Driver: SynUnst.ini, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 562243 bytes
| Driver: SynTPCo4.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 110592 bytes
| Driver: WdfCoInstaller01000.dll, 11/15/2006 19:06:00, 1060424 bytes
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 1/19/2008 07:49:18, 54784 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 1/19/2008 09:41:52, 34360 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC016
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 1/19/2008 07:49:16, 15872 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 1/19/2008 09:41:52, 34360 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 1/19/2008 09:42:19, 54328 bytes
| Driver: sermouse.sys, 1/19/2008 07:49:16, 19968 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 1/19/2008 09:41:52, 34360 bytes

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
     Drive: C:
Free Space: 1.5 GB
Total Space: 25.0 GB
File System: NTFS
     Model: Hitachi HTS541612J9SA00 ATA Device

     Drive: D:
Free Space: 29.1 GB
Total Space: 83.8 GB
File System: NTFS
     Model: Hitachi HTS541612J9SA00 ATA Device

     Drive: Z:
Free Space: 4.0 GB
Total Space: 4.1 GB
File System: NTFS
     Model: Hitachi HTS541612J9SA00 ATA Device

     Drive: E:
     Model: PHILIPS DVD+-RW SDVD8820 ATA Device
    Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (Dutch), 1/19/2008 07:49:51, 67072 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
    Name: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4222&SUBSYS_10218086&REV_02\4&E11C65&0&00E1
  Driver: n/a

    Name: Intel® 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller - 27DA
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27DA&SUBSYS_01CE1028&REV_01\3&18D45AA6&0&FB
  Driver: n/a
    Name: High Definition Audio Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27D8&SUBSYS_01CE1028&REV_01\3&18D45AA6&0&D8
  Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\hdaudbus.sys, 6.00.6001.17036 (English), 1/19/2008 06:30:49, 53760 bytes
    Name: Intel® 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Root Port - 27D6
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27D6&SUBSYS_01CE1028&REV_01\3&18D45AA6&0&E3
  Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/19/2008 09:42:20, 151096 bytes
    Name: Intel® 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Root Port - 27D4
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27D4&SUBSYS_01CE1028&REV_01\3&18D45AA6&0&E2
  Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/19/2008 09:42:20, 151096 bytes
    Name: Intel® 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Root Port - 27D2
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27D2&SUBSYS_01CE1028&REV_01\3&18D45AA6&0&E1
  Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/19/2008 09:42:20, 151096 bytes
    Name: Intel® 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Root Port - 27D0
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27D0&SUBSYS_01CE1028&REV_01\3&18D45AA6&0&E0
  Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/19/2008 09:42:20, 151096 bytes
    Name: Intel® 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27CC&SUBSYS_01CE1028&REV_01\3&18D45AA6&0&EF
 

[GameGirl]

Well, sounds like your computer is pretty high end. And the graphics card is pretty good to, I guess I don't really know what else to say.  {unsure}

I re-format about every 6 months, but I have an external hard drive so just backup everything on that. Only takes like half hour to get it all done. And then my computer is back to basically brand new, like when I first bought it. I love it! No problems. 

I guess that is the only suggestion I have, depending on when you got  your computer, and how often you download things off the net, sometimes re-formating is the way to go. Gets rid of any spyware, addware, small viruses and what not. Sometimes programs can create duplicate files, and that can really bog down a computer. But if you don't have an easy way of backing up or data, I guess its not an option.  I hope you figure it out, and maybe someone else wll see your post and have some other suggestions.

Sorry I couldn't have been of anymore help   

[sim323]

Is it overheating? Because i have that problem with my laptop lots of times.