Well, I reinstalled Windows XP on my system, but immediately had the same lockup problem that I’d been having when I’d run any application that used 3D graphics. I’d replaced my video card recently because of the same issue, so I figured that this time that wasn’t the problem. After doing some research, I decided that I needed a bigger power supply. The symptoms sort of indicated as much.
As it turns out, that was the problem. My video card was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back, which is why, when it got taxed by heavy graphics work, the system would crap out… by doing a pseudo shutdown. So now I have a nice, beefy 500-watt supply in my case and everything works wonderfully. 3D apps are no trouble and my system is in happyland again.
That means I can play Defcon again. w00t!