What actually happens when you "lock" XP (windows key + L).

I've narrowed down that my freezing problem only happens (aside from once in the BIOS) when the computer is sitting idle, locked. If I don't lock it - it doesn't freeze (or hasn't yet).

I thought lock was just kicking you out to disable the gooey making the only option available is force power down where you'd have to encounter a password prompt again or try getting in through the admin account through the shell (which if you disable admin rights isn't possible). I'm sure there's other ways to get into it but that's the basics.

So does locking your computer actually do anything aside from disable the GUI - because I'm like 99% sure it was related to the problem I was having. I'm still running a bit hot, about 40-60ºC - front of the computer's (laptop) jacked up with a small alluminum heat sink I made in the formula 1 shop, with a fan recirculating the air underneath it - doesn't seem to make a difference either way. Though it's stable.

Anybody have any ideas/knowledge about the locking system? I'm in a single this year so I really don't care if it remains locked or not, but I was just wondering...

__________________
In case the above doesn't make any sense, note that I don't know anything about computers.

"Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races"
- Carroll Shelby

Yes, when a machine is locked, it may still be accessed on the network. So, Yes, it locks the GUI, but requires authentication to unlock (I sure hope you use a password). You can remote into the computer, and keep the system locked while in use if you so choose, then you have a choice to either to log off (totally logging the user off), or to disconnect (in effect leaving it locked). Also, if someone else is an administrator, or knows the "Administrator" password (most default to NULL) then they can force a log off.

When you have problems with the machine freezing (when locked), how long are you away, does your machine go to sleep?
Laptop, hmm. Disable hibernation as well as the hard drive power down. You can leave the LCD turning off. Other question, Is the laptop plugged into an external power supply (I assume yes). If yes, then do disable hibernation and hard drive power-down (while plugged in).

This is temporary, to use it as a test to see if that is the source of the problem. You can enable them one at a time to see if you can recreate the problem.

Did you use some thermal-transfer compound on your homemade heat sink? Not just any silicone based goop will work. You can get this from radio shack or computer supply store.

How long am I away? Usually it froze when I locked it when I went to sleep, so 3-8 hours. I run it as a clamshell, I use a separate monitor. All the harddrives, sleep, hibernate, etc. are all set not to activate, it's set to never power down nor lower the power regardless of time. It's also plugged into the wall (constant power supply).

It's not a heat-sink as on the processor heat-sink, it's just what I'm supporting the computer (a leg, if you will) with to get air circulating by the vents (underneath) because it runs pretty hot (sometimes around 60), which isn't exactly catastrophic failure temperature, but I'd prefer it running cooler.

__________________
In case the above doesn't make any sense, note that I don't know anything about computers.

"Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races"
- Carroll Shelby

What about hibernation? Is it set to hibernate? I remember that it has on occasion caused freez-ups.

No, it's not.

__________________
In case the above doesn't make any sense, note that I don't know anything about computers.

"Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races"
- Carroll Shelby