Sorry if I'm writing this in the wrong place but I was having problems finding where to post this. 

  Basically, my computer is having catastrophic problems.  I am having to write this on my brother's computer as mine is virtually useless.

Ok here's my stats:

Dell Dimension 4400

Windows XP Home Edition

Sound Blaster Sound Card

Nvidia Geforce MX something or other Video Card

Pentium 4

80 Gigs

256 MB

 

Okay so here's the problem:

 

When I open web pages, applications, or programs the computer closes it.  Usually it will let me send an error report but not always.  And then it shuts off without warning.  Upon start up sometimes it will let me send an error report.  The error reports have told me a couple of times that I have a driver conflicting.  Another time it said there was an error with the video driver.  Another time it said there was a problem with Nvidia Geforce Mx (said it by name).  And other times it tells me it doesn't know what is wrong.

 

It suggested downloading an upgrade for the video driver.  I did.  It didn't help.  I am up to date on all my updates except for SP2.  When I download SP2 it will not let my computer start back up except for in Safe Mode.

 

I really hope someone can help me.  My computer is just one expensive hunk of junk unless I can fix it.  The computer guy I paid to look at it had no idea what was wrong with it.  He sent it back twice telling me it was fixed and I am having the same old problems with it.  Please, someone help me!  Please!

 

Sincerely,

Rick and Pamela

A friend recently purchased a used PC that was giving a lot of random problems with startup and blue screens with varying error messages. My initial diagnostics were focused on screening for malware and checking the Windows configuration, but we finally ran memory diagnostics (MemTest86) that indicated RAM problems. She returned the system, so I was unable to verify that new RAM cured the problem. It may not be relevant to your problem, but it can't hurt to run Dell Diagnostics. I don't have any idea how extensive the memory test section of Dell Diagnostics is, but MemTest86 or the M$ test, both linked below, may help verify or eliminate RAM as the problem.

 

http://www.memtest86.com/
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

 

GM

Just to clarify, the system RAM is different than the hard drive.

 

GM