Unexplained lockups I have an etower 600ix and after a few minutes of use, it will lock up. Since it locks up even while in the BIOS as well as linux and other environments, I am assuming it is some sort of CPU hard halt.

To unlock your BIOS you have to remove your BIOS battery for few minutes which is onboard, then replace the BIOS battery again on the motherboard will not only reset the BIOS password to default but will put all the BIOS settings to default. For which you will have to reconfigure your BIOS settings, but remember any wrong setting in the BIOS may damage your laptop.

If you use the number pad frequently during your daily computer usage, you may want to have the "Num Lock" key enabled when the computer starts up.
You can enable Num Lock automatically in two different ways: one involves modifying a value in the registry and the other requires you to create a small script in Notepad.
Activate Num Lock Through the Registry
Enter the registry and navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\." Double-click on the value labeled "IntitialKeyboardIndicators," which has a value of 0,1 or 2.
Change the value to "2" to turn Num Lock on after logon, "0" to turn Num Lock off after logon and "1" to disable Num Lock.
Create a Num Lock Script
Configure a script that runs to automatically change the Num Lock state.
Depending on where you place the script, you can activate the script for a single user or all users on the computer. Open Notepad and paste the following code
"set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}"
Save the file as "numlock.vbs," including the quotes to change the notepad file to a script.
Paste the file in the directory "Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup" to enable Num Lock for all users by default.
For a single user, copy it to their startup folder instead of All Users.
Enter the BIOS
Enter your computer's BIOS before Windows boots up to change the integrated Num Lock settings.
Depending on your motherboard manufacturer, different key combinations allow you to access the BIOS.
Common keys include "F1," "F2," "Del," "ESC" or "F10."
Consult your computer's documentation for specifics.
Navigate through the basic or advanced options until you find a section dedicated to enable or disable Num Lock on boot.
Enable in Linux
Linux is an alternate operating system.
While the BIOS method may work for Linux, you can also change the process through the options if using KDE Linux.
Navigate to "Control Panel" and click "Peripherals." Select "Keyboard" and select the option "Turn on" under the heading labeled "NumLock on KDE Startup."

How to Set the NUM LOCK State at Logon in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314879
How do I enable the NUM LOCK key for the logon screen
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/154529

Step 1:
If you use the number pad frequently during your daily computer usage, you may want to have the "Num Lock" key enabled when the computer starts up. You can enable Num Lock automatically in two different ways: one involves modifying a value in the registry and the other requires you to create a small script in Notepad.

Activate Num Lock Through the Registry Enter the registry and navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\." Double-click on the value labeled "IntitialKeyboardIndicators," which has a value of 0,1 or 2. Change the value to "2" to turn Num Lock on after logon, "0" to turn Num Lock off after logon and "1" to disable Num Lock. Create a Num Lock Script Configure a script that runs to automatically change the Num Lock state. Depending on where you place the script, you can activate the script for a single user or all users on the computer. Open Notepad and paste the following code "set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell") WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}" Save the file as "numlock.vbs," including the quotes to change the notepad file to a script. Paste the file in the directory "Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup" to enable Num Lock for all users by default. For a single user, copy it to their startup folder instead of All Users. Enter the BIOS Enter your computer's BIOS before Windows boots up to change the integrated Num Lock settings. Depending on your motherboard manufacturer, different key combinations allow you to access the BIOS. Common keys include "F1," "F2," "Del," "ESC" or "F10." Consult your computer's documentation for specifics. Navigate through the basic or advanced options until you find a section dedicated to enable or disable Num Lock on boot. Enable in Linux Linux is an alternate operating system. While the BIOS method may work for Linux, you can also change the process through the options if using KDE Linux. Navigate to "Control Panel" and click "Peripherals." Select "Keyboard" and select the option "Turn on" under the heading labeled "NumLock on KDE Startup."

How to Set the NUM LOCK State at Logon in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314879 How do I enable the NUM LOCK key for the logon screen http://support.microsoft.com/kb/154529

Try to download and install newest windows drivers for the wireless and check BIOS for wireless settings. Apart from that... stick to Linux? ; )

You should go to the pc manufacture and dvd manufacture and make sure to get the latest updated drivers and firm ware. You can go on http://www.americal.com/pg/dvd-burner-compat.html

update with ver 2.0 dated 12/24/2008.

Install Linux.If u keep M$ winblow$ yer windows will blow again and again.

change the Intel SpeedStep setting from Enabled
to Disabled. in the Bios setup under advanced .then do a system restore

A few things to try. Check the event logs on your PC for Hard drive errors. If the lockups are random they could be caused by bad blocks on your drive in a paging or system file. If you see disk errors, replace the drive immediately and make sure to keep proper backups. Next, update all drivers, especially the video driver. Often lockups will be caused by Video driver corruption. Dont be scared to install beta versions of drivers for your laptop in an attempt to resolve the problem. Next, search out a utility boot CD from the internet. There are several, usually running linux but most contain a memory test utility that you want to run for a long period of time (several hours) to see if after a stress period you start getting memory errors. Next, search for speedfan on google and install it to monitor the temperature on your processor, this problem could be caused by dust buildup on the processor heat sync or cooling fan. Generally it would take some time to have this problem lock up the system, however, after the first lock up and reboot subsequent lockups would happen more quickly. Many laptop repair depots will do a service for under $100 where they will dissassemble the machine, clean the heat sink and fan (or replace it) and apply new thermal grease.