DVD to AVI Conversions Shutting Down System

[RolePlayArtist]

I use RipIt4Me (1.7.1.0), DVD Decryptor (3.5.4.0) and DVD Shrink (3.2) to make backup copies of my DVDs to a WD 500G USB 2.0 external hard drive. What I want to do is convert my backups to DivX AVI files, to create a networked Home Media libary. The issue is that whatever conversion software I use, they all crash my system.

I have tried DivX's Converter (latest release 6.8), Simple DVX (1.40.25), the open source Medicoder (0.6.0 build 3905) and even DrDivX (latest release), but they all, within 5-7 minutes of starting the conversion, shut down my system. It's not an orderly shut down -- the screen goes blank and the power turns off. The Device Manager Event Viewer doesn't reveal anything about the shut downs.

The same thing happens whether I use the original DVD or the backup on the hard drive.

Here's my system configuration:
Compaq Pressario V4000 laptop
Intel Pentium M 1.7GHz
2G Ram
XP Home Version 2002 SP2

Can anyone provide a clue as to what is causing this problem? Thanks.

[Baldrick]

Maybe an overheating problem and the computer bios is automatically shutting down. Maybe check the cpu temperature with some tool and see if it increases when you convert.

[MysticE]

Maybe an overheating problem and the computer bios is automatically shutting down. Maybe check the cpu temperature with some tool and see if it increases when you convert.

Raise the laptop off your desk and train a fan on it and see if you get farther along. Encoding/converting is very cpu intensive. You might also try this stress test, HeavyLoad V2.3, to make sure it's not some software problem.

http://www.jam-software.com/freeware/index.shtml