Laptop Locking Up

service tagis G1M1601 its a latitude p3 500 128megs of ram laptop uhm it runs windows xp pro sp1

For the record, you have a Latitude CPxJ model.  You might want to create an account with Support, so that you can log in under that tag ID and see specific documents and downloads for that model/tag, which will make troubleshooting and updates simpler in the future.

https://support.dell.com/myaccount/createmyaccount.aspx

In the mean time, this link will get you to the manuals and documentation for that model:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/pcpxhj/

Select your language preference, and you can then download/view documentation for the system.  For the .pdf documents (service manual, etc.) you need to right click on the links and select "Save As..." and download the documents to your hard drive, as attempting to open/view them on line can cause some serious crashes.  I'd recommend download the HTML Users Guide, and reviewing the information there under "Troubleshooting Your Computer" which pertains to the Dell Diagnostics.  You'll want to create a set of the floppy diskette version of the Diags and keep them handy for instances such as this.  Any time hardware is the suspected cause of a problem, you can run the Diags and get detailed information on the hardware performance, as well as a log of any errors that might surface during the tests.  I'd recommend running these tests first (preferably the Thorough version, rather than Quick Tests), and reporting the results back here when they're finished.  You can download the most recent version of the Diags using the Downloads tab above (make sure you have the correct system model selected) and run them by booting to diskette 1 of the series, then just follow the instructions to load the other 4.  If you leave diskette 5 in during the testing, you can save a copy of the log file to it in .txt format, then review it/report the results later.

Another distinct possibility is your inadequate RAM.  Windows XP needs at least 256 MB to perform even adequately (especially on notebooks), so you might want to think about at least doubling (tripling would be better) your current complement.  Depending on what you're trying to do with the system and how much stuff you have running when this happens, this could have a lot to do with why it's locking up.

You might also want to check your current BIOS version and compare it to what's available via the Downloads tab above.  A16 is the most recent version available there, and particularly since you're running Windows XP, that's probably what you should have installed.  BIOS updates frequently address problems like you're experiencing, and in light of the fact that the system was built prior to the release of Windows XP, it's a good idea to get as current as possible.

Assuming the system passes the Diags OK, you'll want to make sure that your Anti Virus protection is functioning properly and that it's up to date, and run a system scan for viruses, as well as a scan for malware, using something like AdAware and/or SpyBot Search and Destroy.

Once these troubleshooting steps have been properly completed, report the results back here for more assistance if necessary, but the first thing I'd do is update the BIOS and order some more RAM for that system, if you're planning on leaving WinXP on there.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/  (AdAware - free version)

http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download  (Spybot S&D)

i ran the delldiag program from windows XP on the laptop and it gave me this error

Abnormal Program termination: Memory protection fault CS:EIP = 01FFh:0000BB99h

i got this error when i was in windows it was a blue screen

Stop 0x0000000A or IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

i looked it up but it really never explained what it could be

I have the exact same problem... I also have a CPxJ pIII 650MHz.  I found a temporary solution from Stonent's website http://home.comcast.net/~stonent/.  This seems to be a common problem with these laptops.  you have to remove the keyboard and reseat the processor.  This works for me, but after a while it still will do the same thing.  I tried different RAM with the same results.  Good Luck to anyone else who has this problem.

The CPT is a CPx with the main difference being the celeron processor.  If you put in a PIII it becomes a CPx.

it uses the same Mainboard chipset which should support either processor.  However, you might make sure that the RAM in the CPT can support 100Mhz FSB.  Older Celerons had a FSB of 66Mhz.