Gene said:
When turning on my computer, I see the XP Logon screen
and then the computer reboots. I know that I activated
XP. Could XP somehow not been activated and become
unusable (30 days)? Could there be a virus? Is my hard
drive expired (3 years old) Can someone have an idea?
(I am using another machine to send this message)
I'm sorry, but this is not enough information for you to get a good
answer. Your post is the equivalent of saying, "it's broken". Your
problems could be caused by software or hardware. Here are generic
troubleshooting steps for the software end:
1) If you can get into Safe Mode, scan with current antivirus using
updated definitions - note that "current" means a version not older
than 2002; 2) remove spyware with tools such as Spybot S&D
(
www.security.kolla.de) and/or Ad-aware (
www.lavasoftusa.com) - note
that it is a good idea to do virus and spyware scans in Safe Mode; 3)
delete temporary and Temporary Internet Files; 4) stop unnecessary
services/programs from running at startup (see
www.blackviper.com for a
listing of services). Also, look in Event Viewer for clues.
For the hardware, first open the computer and run it open, observing all
fans (overheating will cause freezing). Then do a RAM test - I like
Memtest86 from
www.memtest86.com - and if necessary, continue on to
test the hard drive and motherboard. If you can't do this yourself,
take the machine to a good local computer shop (not a CompUSA or Best
Buy store).
My guess is that the best thing for you to do is to take the machine to
a repair shop.
Malke
