The key clues here are time and all programs. As well, the machine part listing (thank you!) gives a clue about how old the machine is (it's not that old...)
If I was to see this, I'd shutdown, remove the case cover to remove the dust bunnies and dust it out. Leaving the case cover off, I'd boot it back up and try it without the cover. Inspection that all fans (Power Supply Unit (PSU), CPU and Video Card) were spinning and no insulating layer of lint was on the heatsinks under the fans.
Bob
PS. There are more items to work, but the clues point to heat.
Specs:
Win 98SE
733Mhz
256 RAM
Norton 2002 fully updated
Adaware latest version
Whether I'm using IE 6 or Netscape 7.1 after a while the browser and then every other program begins to mess up. Most often all the letters become one font and bold. Right now the "ne" in "how oddly divine" is being left behind everytime the text box goes down a level. My start menu becomes a big blur, and will show the menu button, but messed up, if I put my mouse over it.
With Nescape I can just restart Netscape and it will go back to normal for a little bit, but once it's happened it is much more likely to happen again. With IE it does this a little less, but then I have to restart the entire machine again when it does this to make it go away.
This will also effect every other program. Often likewise making all text one type of bold font. Graphics won't load.
Any idea why my computer enters this state of meltdown?

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GameSpot
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