test,for memory, motherboard, how,where download thanks

There really is no ideal way to check, it usually is a combination of a lot of checking.

Someone mentioned swollen caps...that's a good place to start. Open the case, and look for any physical problems like...well, swollen capacitors, or burnt chips, solder joints etc. on the mobo or expansion cards. Also check for any burnt smell.

How dirty is the inside of your case? Check the CPU heatsink-fan and see if there is a lot of dust-dirt build up. I see a lot of systems that have performance and shutdown issues because the cpu is overheating due to crap clogging up the cpu heastink.

A good free utility to test memory (RAM, and cache) is Memtest +86 Also, if you suspect it might be RAM, and you have more than one RAM stick, pull all but one. Run the system, and if it runs ok, pull that stick, and try another, and so on.

Also, pull any unnecessary expansion cards and see if that makes a difference. Also, reseat all of your cards and cables. I see a lot of problems resolved by this as well.

If your only having these issues when dialing out the net, then I would look at the modem. Perhaps try another modem. If that takes care of it, then you know its the modem.

As far as a application for testing, there are a few decent ones, but none that I now of for free (I see some free ones around, but none good). UltraX

Hope some of this helps. good luck.