Mxy, I have been thinking a hardware problem would be the most likely explanation... I haven't checked the connections yet as I haven't had time, but it's possible I knocked something whilst putting in the new hdd. Also, I have been thinking that with the extra drive, wires and stuff inside the case, It's possible that the machine is simply overheating.
Anyway, to answer your questions...
1) I have given the interior a spring clean and a dab of paint whilst I was faffing about with new hdd's this past week. I also washed the motherboard with plenty of soap and polished the heatsink with brass polish for that extra shine. It certainly 'looks' like it's brand new.
(not really, I just brushed away the dust and fluff...)
2) I have a Nvidia GEforce 7500 LE thingummy. Have had it for about 9 or 10 months now I think. My audio is run from the motherboard.
3) It's completely random. Happened 3 times in quick succession the other night. no sooner had I signed back onto vent, I was chucked off again. then I got about a day and a half out of it after doing the scandsk, then it happened about half hourly this evening.
Oooh, Fireworx... Happy new year everyone in the UK, Everyone in the us, You will have to wait a few more hours but happy new year anyway.
You aussies will probably have already gone to bed and be sleeping it off so happy new year for when you wake up.
Fraggle