@Invader: i'll keep that in mind, but this computer has gone years without changes in the BIOS, so i can't imagine it would be causing issues to come up just now.

@Michael Schwarz: thanks, i'll check out SpeedFan and see if that's the issue, and maybe i should get a new power supply. i was considering that a while ago when i got my graphics card (GeForce 9600 GT is a huge step up in power usage from the 7300 my computer came with).

i was under the impression that it wouldn't necessarily be the computer's power supply, but an issue where the socket in the wall is dysfunctional, because i never had crashing issues where it used to be set up, nor has the hardware changed since then. but i've also never heard the fan so loud where it used to be set up, so maybe it'd struggling to cool in its new location.

if it turns out it is getting too hot, what would be the best solution?

@PHeMoX: yeah, i have considered that; both games i've been playing lately (Left 4 Dead and CS:S) would have very few assets loaded dynamically, so i'm inclined to think that's unlikely. however, CS:S isn't very big so i'll give it a go anyway. maybe it gets caused by someone using a particular corrupt radio message that very rarely gets used; having it based on other peoples' actions would explain its exceptionally sporadic issues.

thanks again guys,

julz