XP system freezes

[SCSmith]

Upon start up, I receive an invalid disk error message.
Hit any Key to continue. I do not have disk inserted.

If I do not hit enter shortly after this message, the
system freezes.

The system also freezes if there is no activity (eg.
typing a long time email or document). The cursor stops
and Control Alt+delete does not work.

The system is brand new and ram too.

If I continue to work with activity, there are no freezes.

Please help me troubleshoot.

 

[Perdita X. Dream]

Upon start up, I receive an invalid disk error message.
Hit any Key to continue. I do not have disk inserted.

If I do not hit enter shortly after this message, the
system freezes.

The system also freezes if there is no activity (eg.
typing a long time email or document). The cursor stops
and Control Alt+delete does not work.

The system is brand new and ram too.

If I continue to work with activity, there are no freezes.

Please help me troubleshoot.

If the system is "brand new" then you should be contacting the manufacturer,
not posting to a newsgroup - why are you not invoking the warranty that was
undoubtedly conferred upon your system at the point of sale?! You'd take
your car back to the dealer if the engine kept overheating, wouldn't you?