Reply #15: First i would rule out..

[Feron]

Any new stuff you might have installed.

Did you install any new drivers or software before your computer started acting up? I'm talking about patches, drivers, or an anti-virus. Firefox wouldn't cause the behaviors you describe. However, if Firefox is set to automatically start at boot, you may want to undo it. The only way i know how is to uninstall and reinstall.

Then, check for any viruses, spyware, etc. Here is a page with a list of things to do: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8428

Also, turn off automatic rebooting in XP. Go to Start->My Computer->right-click->properties->Advanced->Startup and Recovery->Click Settings->Uncheck Automatically Restart->Click Ok.

You should then get a BSOD. Find out what your error message means here: http://www.aumha.org/win5/kbestop.php

If your computer still is on the fritz, then it is likely a hardware problem. My guess would be the power supply. There is a program called Motherboard Monitor that can give you the voltages ,but i've never used it.

If it is your power supply, some good brands are Enermax, Antec, and Sparkle. Whatever you do, do not buy generic since off-brands don't last as long and can throw out some wacky voltages. A generic power supply fried my motherboard and some other hardware.

Here is another place that i found helpful solving my own computer problems:http://www.dslreports.com/forum/hwhelp

Off topic: I really hate it when the Mac fanatics invade a help thread. If you can't help then piss off!! Spending an assload of money isn't an efficient way of solving a computer problem. And yes, it is possible to be virus, spyware, and trojan free on Windows without much effort. Also, Mac hardware breaks too.