why does it restart so much? please help

[Guest]

Hi im new here. when im working on my computer it will suddenly restart and
go to a black screen with a blinking white cursor. then i have to turn it
off, and turn it back on.
my other problem is when im loading xp, it stays on the loading screen for
10 minutes(i timed it)
i've gotten rid of some viruses using some anti-virus free programs i
downloaded, and the other ones will just restart my computer, like my
computer can't take it....i really really need help...i use my computer for
school and really need it to be working properly. all the specs are in below,
thanks alot

-chris

windows xp home edition 2002
AMD-K6 3D processor
501 MHz
128 MB of RAM
~6GB

 

[Guest]

Navigate to the Control Panel/System. Click on the Advanced tab... Under
Startup and Recovery click on the settings button and remove the check for
automatically restart. This will prevent the system from restarting when an
error occurs.

Try this link if you think your system is still infected with viruses...its
a free online virus scan.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

 

[Malke]

Hi im new here. when im working on my computer it will suddenly
restart and go to a black screen with a blinking white cursor. then i
have to turn it off, and turn it back on.
my other problem is when im loading xp, it stays on the loading screen
for 10 minutes(i timed it)
i've gotten rid of some viruses using some anti-virus free programs i
downloaded, and the other ones will just restart my computer, like my
computer can't take it....i really really need help...i use my
computer for school and really need it to be working properly. all the
specs are in below, thanks alot

-chris

windows xp home edition 2002
AMD-K6 3D processor
501 MHz
128 MB of RAM
~6GB

This could be caused by a number of things:
a. bad hardware
b. failing power supply
c. overheating
d. bad drivers
e. damage from viruses and other malware.

If you really need the computer, I highly suggest you take it to a good
local computer repair shop (not a BestBuy or CompUSA type of store) and
have it fixed properly. However, if you don't want to do that, start by
doing this hardware troubleshooting:

1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.

2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com - let the test
run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
seen immediately.

3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.

4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.

5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com.

Make sure you back up your data regularly. This is an elderly computer.
Of course, an newer computer can fail too, but when you know you have
an older machine, it is wise to be prepared.

Malke