Rebooting At The Logo After Error Message

Okay, I'm on my laptop at the moment but I am currently experiencing a rather annoying problem with my desktop computer.

I am running Windows XP home edition with service pack 3 installed. This has been working fine for a long time but recently the computer kept turning itself off. After a while of getting used to that, the computer has come up with an amazing way to hurt my feelings. Instead of letting me do some stuff and cutting out halfway through, it won't even load up to the desktop.

What happens is that when the computer finally reaches the windows logo and should transfer onto the desktop (I have the settings so that you do not have to log in), it bombs out and restarts the process of starting up all over again. I do however get one message before the windows logo, and it goes a little something like this:


We apologise for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose 'Last Known Good Configuration' to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the Power or Reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem, choose 'Start Windows Normally'.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Last Known Good Configuration (Your most recent settings that worked)

Start Windows Normally
​

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.


Seems fair enough doesn't it? You would probably suggest to start it the way they said, or with safe mode. Therein lies another problem.

With each of the different selections (Safe Mode to Start Windows Normally) the computer undergoes the same process. It gets to the Windows Logo and then restarts all the way back and displays this message again.

I was at first glad to see it wasn't a Blue Screen Of Death message, then realised that the Blue Screen Of Death would have been easier to solve. It is indeed a completely black screen with white writing.

Sorry if this had been posted before, I have checked using search, but my mind just doesn't seem to settle on any of the titles or whilst reading it doesn't seem to settle on any of their problems mentioned.


If someone could help me solve this problem, please do. Thank you for at least reading.

P.S - COMPLETE BEGINNER here. If you use technical jargon such as BIOS or POST I will not understand or will have a very limited response. If possible, treat me as completely DUMB. I can research the wording however if you advise me to, which is probably the better option.

Thank you,

Eddie.


Edit:
No downloads have been undertaken since the computer has been working. No virus messages have popped up and no error messages or 'bad' shut downs (just hitting the power button). However, when the computer did keep shutting down spontaneously (randomly) I did pull out all the wires at the back of the computer (making sure it was all turned off first) and then put them back in.

Thanks again.

 

Thank you for the warm welcome. And as for your question, I'm just about to do that .

Thank you for your help/suggestions. I'll keep you posted on how well it goes.