I have a computer that after about a minute after the desktop comes up fully and the hard drive settles down, the computer freezes up.

I am still able to see my desktop and the cursor on the middle of the screen but I am unable to do anything (the cursor just sits there) and the only option I have is to either press the power or reset button.

All the programs seem to be fully loaded before it locks up and I am not trying to start any other programs before it freezes.

Any thoughts on what the first steps in trouble shooting this would be?

Thanks.

check in the BIOS the temp of your CPU, if the HSF got out of whack or the fan is dying on it, then the CPU would heat up, and basically fail at the point after getting too hot.

Windows 7?

will it boot and run normally in safe mode?

I am going to try some more heat sink compound as well as some other memory.

The computer is running Linux Mint 8.

OK, way outta my league now heh.

sounds like heat TBH.. That would be my first guess. Air out the inside and check your HSF.

Air out inside = compressed air to clean.

As it turns out I added some more heat sink compound and the issue is resolved.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Cheers.