TF2 Randomly Crashing

[Someone from Across]

[Title]

This only happens on certain occasions though. Sometimes I join a map like Refinery or 2Fort or any of that stuff. Then, sometimes, either:
1)When I'm first choosing what class to play, the game freezes and a error pops up: "hl2.exe has stopped working."
2) I select my class, and start to play for about 2-5 minutes, and then the game freezes and the same error pops up.

I'm not sure if its my graphics card or not, but this hasn't happened ever before. This started happening a bit before "Smissmas" (2011 xmas).
Here are my specs:

Windows 7
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 635 Processor  2.90 GHz
Installed memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (3.75 usable)
System: 64-bit Operating System
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4200

I've verified the game cache files, and defragmentated, but those do not work either.
I even have the DX level at 8.1, but it still crashes.

[Ad Bot]

[Freeze]

Don't say 'we have a topic for this' guys because it'd just get lost and you know it.

[Planr]

Belongs in off-topic.

actually no not really its fine here lol

[Bloody Mary]

This is a well known issue that started occurring when the Manniversary update was released. As far as I know, there are no concrete fixes, although some people say that reinstalling TF2 works.

[Someone from Across]

If I reinstall it, will I lose the actual content?

(achievements, items, etc)

[Albatross]

If I reinstall it, will I lose the actual content?

(achievements, items, etc)

no

[phflack]

If I reinstall it, will I lose the actual content?

(achievements, items, etc)

no, those are from the item server
which is why people are complaining when it goes down and they can't use their weapons

[KadeBL_ID12958]

yeah when i was having crashes i just deleted my Tf2 folder and reinstalled. it kept all my weapons and stats, and fixed my crashing.

[Big Brother]

If I reinstall it, will I lose the actual content?

(achievements, items, etc)

No it's stored on a cloud

just hope it doesn't rain

[Davy]

we have a topic for this