Windows XP problem

Whatever it is don't pay to get it fixed. It's not worth it.
Shop around, the cheapest unit out there is ten times more powerfull than what you have now.

My understanding is that the system is stable while in the WIN XP desktop? But crashes when launching a program? If this is not the case, and is unstable, rebooting unpredictably, then this could most likely be the result of hardware issues. But can also be caused by other system or applications conflicts. Does WIN Event Logs indicate any system or application errors at previous reboots?

I had an older computer that had the power transformer pack it in. I was able to get all the files, mp3's, pictures, etc, transferred onto the new computer, at the shop. Before you tear out the hardrive, to scrap the computer, you may want to see if you can save the files you may want to keep.

robsouth wrote:
Some of the above I have already tried. I will give a go to the others and see what happens, if I can get it to boot long enough. Will post more later.

The mere fact that it doesn't crash at exactly the same moment or same series of executions, but does crash soon after booting leads me to believe it's more likely a heat issue than a hard drive issue. If it's the CPU overheating, the remedies have already been mentioned. A failing capacitor, like previously mentioned could cause similar symptoms too. Failing motherboard caps often are identifiable because they've expanded a little bit, if you know what to look for. Sometimes it's another chip on the motherboard that's overheating. In that case, it's just not worth trying to repair.

Good luck! :)

In my experience this behavior is generally caused by a hardware issue. Most of which have been alluded to here. Power supply failing or overheating, CPU overheating possibly caused by fan failure although heavy dust accumulation can also cause heat problems. Hard drive can also create issues. I personally doubt that a system restore will help but it won't hurt. If it doesn't I would start by opening up and blowing it out real good. Leave it open and start it up. Check that all fans are working, including the power supply.

Some of the above I have already tried. I will give a go to the others and see what happens, if I can get it to boot long enough. Will post more later.

Since you can boot to the WIN XP desktop, I'm also apt to think its a disc drive related issue, which can crash your system causing a re-boot. However, I would first try doing a System Restore to an earlier date. If you can't do so by navigating WIN XP menus, then hold down Windows Key+R and in RUN, type or copy and paste rstrui.exe and ENTER.

You can also do a System Restore in Safe Mode, or from the Command Prompt by typing rstrui.exe and ENTER.

If that doesn't work, then do a Check Disc with repair.

The heat issue could do it too, as BillyW said. It's amazing how much dust can collect inside a computer.

I've seen this kind of thing fixed before, but this really depends on what is causing the system failure. Sounds like you don't feel like messing with it anymore, but if you change your mind you might try:

1. Open a command prompt and run chkdsk /r on the hard drive. This will check the file system for errors and the disk for bad sectors, repairing what it can, marking bad spots so the machine won't try to use them anymore. If you can't get that to run because it keeps rebooting or blue screening (if you changed that reboot setting), try booting into safe mode with a command prompt, then quickly typing chkdsk /r and hit enter, then "yes" when asked to run on reboot. If you got that far and it still hasn't rebooted, reboot it yourself. Chkdsk runs before the OS is fully loaded so it shouldn't reboot again while chkdsk is running (if it does, this is likely a heat issue or some other type of hardware issue). If you can't get that typed in fast enough before it reboots, you could remove the drive, connect it as a secondary drive to another computer and run it from there, then put it back in the original machine.

2. Run the XP system repair disk to repair any corrupt system files.

3. Reboot while holding your breath.

Not guaranteed to work by any means, but I have seen it resolve this type of issue.

This could be a heat issue too. Check the CPU to ensure that the fan (if it has one) is still working, or that the heat sink is not clogged with lint, or possibly the grease that goes between the CPU and heat sink has dried out and no longer conducts the heat away from the chip.