Graphics Stop and Go

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

I have had problems with certain games like Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2,
Motocross Madness, and X Wing Alliance running great graphics in 3D or 2D,
but they will run and freeze repeatedly. Occasionally, I'll run something
else or do some install, and they'll temporarily run fine, but then later
will stop and go again. I ran Norton Check It Diagnostics and everything
checks out as fine. I have a 128 Meg AGP card, Windows XP, Direct X 9, 384
Meg of memory and a Pentium III 700. I upgraded my memory and video card
hoping to eliminate this problem, but it persists. I did a control alt
delete and only one program runs but all kinds of processes come up--about
45. Is that normal? How can I get my computer to stop this? My hard drive
is 60 gigs and has 30 gigs free and has been defragged. Help!