Computer crash while watching videos or using c/p a lot

[mrb83sxt02]

So here's the issue.

I have a HP Pavilion laptop that i've had for approximately 4 years. There is 750MB RAM and its running Windows XP pro.
I am a web designer, and I use photoshop and dreamweaver, designing "stuff" and websites. Which will require a lot of copy/paste when i am adding content thru dreamweaver.  And if I c/p big portions of content the computer will all of the sudden crash. There is no blue screen of death, or any other warning, it just shuts off.

Another way this happens, will be if I am watching a movie/clip on say youtube or any other flash/wmv type files.  It shuts off the same way it does when i c/p a lot.  Im trying to figure out if this is a common thing that happens when the hard drive is failing, or the mother board?  I've even wondered about the video card, but that wouldnt make sense when I am copy/pasting.

I think I just need to get a new computer, since the thing is at least 4 years old, but I am just trying to go with a more cost effective solution.  I appreciate any help you guys can offer.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks

[patio]

How much free space is on that HDD ? ?

[mrb83sxt02]

<500 MB, but this has been happening for a while, and it continued to happen right after I restored the computer right down to the OS

[patio]

What's the size of the drive ? ?.....500MG is not much on today's drives and this could very well be the source of your issues.
A good rule of thumb for Windows machines is 15% of the drive space should be kept free...so on let's say a 500G drive you should keep 75G free.

[mrb83sxt02]

It's 60GB. I have 10G partitioned off for a linux boot, but I do not use it. :-/

[patio]

That partition does NOT count as free space as far as Windows is concerned...Windows only sees the partition it's installed to when concerning free space...
It's time to do some serious housekeeping as with a 50G Windows partition and 500MG free space you are at 1% free space...

[mrb83sxt02]

Hmm i was just reminded of a problem I am having... intermittently during use and just before it crashes i hear clicking ( http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,100205.0.html )... The bottom is also VERY hott!  I'm thinking I should replace the hard drive

[patio]

That drive is most likely failing...STOP using it immediately.
Slave Drive Info...
To retrieve your data...
You don't have much time...