Speccing Up a New PC (+ PC Temps?)

[No.1]

Hi, i was wondering if you guys could help me.... again :roll:

I have just started to learn how to rip DVDs on my fairly average system (256MB RAM, 1.7GHz P4), and as expected it takes a while (4-5hrs for a 1CD Rip).

The CPU is under a preety heavy load 99-100% for the duration, and i was wondering how hot my system runs. I have also left the PC on for long periods 12-14hrs, and just wanted to find out how much hotter it was running.

How do i find the temperature whilst the PC is in Windows... do i use BIOS(which i dont know how to start up), or is there another Microsoft Util that i could use.

This is a little confusing for me so a full, detailled explanation would be nice oh....and what is an average Temp inside a case (just as a reference point)

Thanks in advance