hi

 

Try doing a system restore.

http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?dn=1055856 

 

Thanks

try using some diagnostics on hard drive - i had similar problema and found drive was failing - there is software at maxtor.com that will check your drive. do the thorough check - may need another drive - make sure reinstall cd is in good shape - use f2 on boot to change boot sequence in bios to cdrom first - insert cd rom and reboot- with new drive installed - make sure jumpers are set correctly and you have used the software that comes with the new drive to partition for windows xp or whatever - takes awhile but it works

Does the Event Viewer show anything ?