Boot problem - press ctrl+alt+del to restart

[Mike S.]

Recently, I had a problem when I turned on my computer (Win XP). I
neglected to write down or remember the entire error message. What
happened is that after I turned on the computer, I got a black screen
that said to press "ctrl+alt+del" to restart. So I pressed them and it
restarted with the same message. So I just turned the computer off.
Two days later I turned the computer on and it worked just fine. I've
only used it twice since then, but I haven't had any problems, yet.
Everything seems to be working fine, nothing unusual.

I don't recall doing or installing anything unusual before the error
occurred. Although, a week before that I tried to install a printer
via USB but didn't have the correct drivers, so I'm waiting to get the
CD from the previous owner. I've scanned the computer for viruses and
spyware and it's clean. I have a few ideas as to what could be wrong,
but I'll wait for a few replies before mentioning them. Anyone have
any ideas as to what the problem could be?

 

[db.·.. >]

our crystal balls
are somewhat
cloudy today.

perhaps checking
out the error logs,
via admin tools may
be enlightening.

 

[Mike S.]

There's nothing in the logs around the time the error occurred.

 

[db.·.. >]

well, unfortunately
there is very little
to go on.

perhaps, your computer
overheated or maybe
your memory ran out
and couldn't recover.

perhaps all your cabling
is creating a massive emf
field and zapped your
pc or maybe a ufo passed
over your place.

as you can see from the
above there are many
things and phenomena
that might cause a one
time issue and unexplainable
one.

because you are now aware
that your pc suffers an oddity,
then you must be diligent and
monitor the circumstances
that leads to the next occurrence,
if it occurs again.

in any case it is a good time
to create a methodology
in protecting your personal
data, like disk imaging or
straight copy to a cd or dvd
in case of an unforeseen and
utter failure of your system.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

There's nothing in the logs around the time the error occurred.