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I've got a Gateway w/ an AMD Athlon 1 Ghtz computer. (and I know and I am getting a new piece, but this'll have to do for right now) I dont think much of that helps, but do any of you have knowledge of hardware issues?

Periodically, anywhere from 5-40 minutes after turning it on (usually about 15-25) a sizzling/buzzing sound eminates from behind the DVD drive and it increases in less then 20 seconds until the computer either freezes, restarts, outright crashes, or glitches then freezes. It won't restart without leaving it alone a bit and unplugging and replugging it in.

Advice on what to do, anyone?

Id start by unplugging the power connector from the DVD to see if that is really the bad component.

Although I personally would think a fizzling noise would come from the power supply.

Get on the horn with tech support and get it replaced.

Oh yeah. Sorry I blanked out on the Gateway part. Call them, dont mess with it yourself. Im so used to having home built for myself and Dells at work.

I don't think its the DVD itself, the drive just happens to be in front of the power socket for the tower.

In that case its probably the power supply. I dont know about Gateway, but Dell doesnt warranty theirs. I found this out after 30 minutes of screwing around with tech support, only to have her finally agree the power supply was dead. Then she said they dont warranty those. ARGH!

Sounds like something's overheating (most hardware related computer problems seem to be a result of overheating of some sort)
possibly psu, but not necessarily
Turn it on whilst leaving the case open and pinpoint where the sound is coming from
Replace whatever is making this sound.
It often helps when you have a bunch of spare parts sitting around and can do tests

Illuminatus Primus wrote:I've got a Gateway w/ an AMD Athlon 1 Ghtz computer. (and I know and I am getting a new piece, but this'll have to do for right now) I dont think much of that helps, but do any of you have knowledge of hardware issues?

Periodically, anywhere from 5-40 minutes after turning it on (usually about 15-25) a sizzling/buzzing sound eminates from behind the DVD drive and it increases in less then 20 seconds until the computer either freezes, restarts, outright crashes, or glitches then freezes. It won't restart without leaving it alone a bit and unplugging and replugging it in.

Advice on what to do, anyone?

Could have an overheating CPU. Might check to see whether or not your CPU fan works.

Illuminatus Primus wrote:I've got a Gateway w/ an AMD Athlon 1 Ghtz computer. (and I know and I am getting a new piece, but this'll have to do for right now) I dont think much of that helps, but do any of you have knowledge of hardware issues?

Periodically, anywhere from 5-40 minutes after turning it on (usually about 15-25) a sizzling/buzzing sound eminates from behind the DVD drive and it increases in less then 20 seconds until the computer either freezes, restarts, outright crashes, or glitches then freezes. It won't restart without leaving it alone a bit and unplugging and replugging it in.

Advice on what to do, anyone?

It could be that your CPU fan is going out. Athlons go apeshit when they get too hot, and when that fan clogged with dust and stuff, they go apeshit real quick.

I'm split now between heating and a short in the powerfeed. It's also sometimes difficult to turn it back on after its crashed. I bumped it looking around down there and it just popped on, even though the button wouldn't work repetatively.

GrandMasterTerwynn wrote: It could be that your CPU fan is going out. Athlons go apeshit when they get too hot, and when that fan clogged with dust and stuff, they go apeshit real quick.

Yeah. You could try leaving case open while it's running and watching the fan. If you can.

Illuminatus Primus wrote:I'm split now between heating and a short in the powerfeed. It's also sometimes difficult to turn it back on after its crashed. I bumped it looking around down there and it just popped on, even though the button wouldn't work repetatively.

Maybe something's not connected properly. The power supply to motherboard connector perhaps?