Perhaps,
Does the bios power on self test scan memory ok when you turn the system on?
Do you have the memory scan enabled in the bios. Its normally on the
advanced menu and sometimes called "Fast or Quick Boot", if so disable it in
order that it scans memory. This is a first level memory check, it can miss
some errors.
If you suspect a memory problem and you have more than 1 stick of memory,
you could try removing them one at a time and see if the problem goes away.
You could also download and run the windows memory diagnostic,
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
However, addressing each point in turn:-
1. What exactly is the cd-rw issue? Does windows xp see the drive ok ? Will
it not write to it at all or is it creating unreadable cds, are you getting
buffer over runs ? What cd writing software are you using?
2. The dvd playback may purely be a hardware performance issue or perhaps a
driver issue, how much memory and what speed of processor do you have ? What
software do you use to play dvds ?
3. There are hundreds of reasons why a system may have crashed. In order to
determine the reason we need the error codes that appear on the blue crash
screen and the name of any driver that appears there.
If you don't get a blue screen then go into
control panel/system/advanced/startup and recovery settings
and untick "Automatically Restart"
The error codes are also logged without the name of the driver, in the sytem
event log.
start/run
eventvwr.msc
Click on system in left pane. Look down the list of events in the right pane
for any event flagged by a white cross on a red circular background, and
labelled as "System Error" or "Save Dump". Double click on the entry and
Post the error codes using the copy button below the two arrow buttons.
Paul
