Multi-Problems

Things seem to be getting worse. My computer is only a month or so old. I have not had any major problems regarding Windows (XP Pro) untill 3-4 days ago. Often I get a message that the browser or program I am using needs to shut down. Sometimes Windows tries to restart time after time. Sometimes the only way to start Windows is to 'UNPLUG' the computer for several minutes before starting. Sometimes when I 'shut down' Windows it won't, but keeps trying to restart over and over. When using System Recovery the system does not shut down as the directions say but will stay on the last screen till I turn off the computer. As I have very little info saved on this computer and would not mind reinstalling programs to fix the problem would it be adviseable to somehow totally clear my hard drive, install Windows and the programs as I did at first? How would this be done?AMD 2200+, 768MB 400DDR RAM, 80GB WD hard drive

 

I would go the the Windows Update site and download & install all the appropriate updates if you have not done it yet prior to taking the drastic step to re-install the OS.

 

Updates had already been installed (only one for XP). Why is reinstalling the OS drastic? What is involved? How should one go about this? I'm having to use my 'backup' computer to write this. The problem computer just keeps trying to start over and over again and pressing F8 does not bring up the screen it should. If a new hadr drive would be best I would do it.

 

Re-installing is only drastic in the sense that you have to re-install all your applications which can be a chore.

You should not need a new hard drive but you should download any diagnostic utility from the Western Digital web site and run it to see if there are any hardware problems.

Also see if they have any utility to "Low Level Format" your drive. It is possible that the diagnostic utility may have this function. A low level format restores it to the original factory state and is likely to run for some time.

Once all that has been done, you just need to insert your XP CD in the drive and start your machine. You will be offered the choice to use either FAT32 or NTFS - choose whichever you prefer.

That is all you require to do apart from using Windows Update again, installing your applications and backed up data.

Hopefully, your problem should disappear.