Example:
I play Robin Hood: tLoS, and I finished 31% of the game. And, suddenly, the computer reboots each time I load a mission. How can a game do that? Why does it happen? Can the reason be high resolution (there is that squeaking sound coming from the monitor)?

That used to happen with a few more games, though the names elude me now.

Sorry, I dont think I can help you, I have had problems like that, but I found that it was due to overheating.
Your problem doesnt sound like that because it happens when you start the game.

It happened this morning when I turned the computer on. It couldn't have possibly overheat.

The most common causes for spontaneous rebooting like that are overheating or a bad/overloaded power supply. A faulty monitor shouldn't cause this -- unless (grasping at straws) your monitor gets its power from the computer instead of directly from the wall outlet? Ever have "brownouts" or power sags in the household current? That'll make it reboot too, and if you're focused on the game you might not even notice.

I'm currently cramming for my CompTIA A+ certification (for PC maintenance/troubleshooting) & this was covered in the hardware section. One thing that surprised me was the suggestion in my study guide that removing the slot covers from the back of the machine *causes* overheating instead of helping cool the innards because that disrupts the internal airstream.

Edit: just read your 2nd post. Never mind about overheating...

[ 07-21-2004, 10:07 AM: Message edited by: VulcanRider ]

A couple of possible issues...

1. You've got a virus
2. Your power supply is failing or underpowered
3. Your computer has it in for you
4. You may have driver compatibility problems (heck, they get blamed for everything, don't they) :D

Does the reboot happen at the same time and place? Consistent behavior makes it easy to resolve problems.

You might also eliminate as many other programs as possible when you're playing. Use Task Manager to stop all non-essential applications.

So is this the only game that it happens with?

<font color=skyblue>As mentioned above,

What vid card do you have and how many watts is your power supply.

The thing to do is make a check list and find all the things that are okay.

In this instance, we are saying that sometimes your power supply is too small to generate enough power for your system. Can you prove to us that you're okay in that area?

Once you've done that, we can see what else to look for.</font>

[ 07-21-2004, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

The problem occurs whenever I load an area. The area loads and I get control over the party, then poof. Everything was fine until today. Reinstallation didn't help either.

A few minutes ago I started Project:IGI, loaded a level, and poof again.
...
And, also with IGI, when I kill a specific enemy on a specific level, it poofs as well.

Eh, now I see that both these games are not originals. It is surely some kind of a wicked piracy protection. Or error. Or CD scratch.

The video card is ATI Radeon ve, and I have the driver for Radeon 7000 series.

Other electrical appliances and lights work OK, so I don't think power is an issue.

try updating your video drivers, other than that it could be a video card physical problem, but lets hope it isn't

If you're using Windows XP, you need to turn off the option to automatically reboot after each error so you can see the error.