Basically the problem is that I can't run my pc for more then 15 minutes at a time. When I leave my computer sitting for a while and come back to it, I notice all kinds of graphic distortions. Like when I try to click on the start menu the start button disappears right after I click it and then most of the icons in the menu are just empty spaces and lines of text in documents and websites are missing. Then I either have to manually restart it(ctrl+alt+del won't even show up correctly)or if I leave it sitting it will restart itself. I can watch movies, but when the movie ends and I turn it off the computer starts with the graphic distortions and end in having to restart. When I'm playing games my computer runs fine then suddenly my pc restarts itself without any indication of problems. When I'm downloading something huge, my pc gets the same problems and restarts itself. I talked to ATI about this problem and all they could tell me was "Check out our FAQ page for solutions. I did that before I even sent the e-mail and found no answer. I sent another and they won't respond. I called the store I got it from, and the only thing they tell me is "No box, No return". I was told It could be a heating problem but If thats the case why am I just now getting this problem after almost a year of working perfectly. I was also told it could be a virus but I couldn't find any information about a virus that does this. Could someone please help me out? Even as I type this my pc is starting to mess up. I'm on windows xp, 2.66ghz P4, 512mb sdram.

A couple things came to mind as I was reading that. First off, what type of monitor do you have? My first thought was that if it's an LCD-Type Screen, and you left it on too long, it could have had a problem.

Another solution could be to reset your Screen Settings.

1. Right click on the desktop and click Properties.
2. Click the Settings tab.
3. Move the slider for screen resolution to a lower setting and open the drop down menu for the colors and pick a lower setting.

Another option is to reinstall your video drivers, as they might not be supported by your current version of Windows.

1. Go to your Control Panel.
2. Click Performance and Maintenance.
3. Click System.
4. Click the Hardware tab.
5. Click the Device Manager button.
6. Find which one is your display drivers, the name may vary, but mine is under Display Adapters.
7. Right click on it and pick Update Drivers... and a wizard will appear.
8. Follow the instructions as they are given in the wizard.

If that doesn't work, go to http://www.windowsupdate.com and install all the critical updates. Then repeat the steps I listed above if the problem still occurs after the updates. Fill me in on the status of your problem afterwards.