XP detects problem and PC won't run

Have not had any problems for so long that this one surprised me. It is with my HP XW4000 running Windows XP home edition. This is the PC I use for my work!!!

A while ago I noticed a bunch of pop-ups. This surprised me because I have not had any pop ups since I started using this PC with XP. Frequently, I see a message that says that the pop up has been blocked.

Upon resetting it (I had to) a blue screen with white letters displays a message saying that a problem has been detected, and windows has been shutdown to prevent damage. It says to restart it (I have, several times) and that if the problem persists to uninstall any new hardware or software.

Problem is, I have not installed either except for updating a couple of XP related utilities, for the time change, last week.

Now, even the blue screen with the message does not stay displayed; the PC simply resets itself and cycles on and off on its own.

What should I do first? Start windows in safe mode? OK, I am there; and now what...?

Thanks for your help.

BTW, this PC (the HP that has the problem) is the one I use for my work, and all my work files and programs (CAD) are there, and I need it really bad!

Alex

 

I forgot to say: I do have Adaware and Spybot, have run them several times in the past, and nothing has ever been detected.

Should I/can I run them in Safe -Mode now?

Thanks!
Alex

 

the first thing i would try is last known good config.

 

1) Tried Last Good Known... but it did not work
2) The Automatically Restart had been unchecked, but only once has the blue screen remained. So what I did this time was to take a digital picture while the screen was up, just about one second. GOT IT!
Here is what it says:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:... "

<<< It goes on with more instructions about contacting the manufacturer of recently installed stuff - and then says to start in Safe Mode, BUT DOES NOT say what to do after starting in safe mode. It continues as follows:>>>

"Technical Information:
*** STOP: 0x0000007F (0x00000008, 0x80042000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance. "
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your prompt replies - I hope you have the time available to help me some more!

I'll be checking in frequently with this other PC (my wife's).
Alex

 

It Works Now!

Pete,
I had earlier tried to follow the link to do a system restore, but the instruction steps did not match what I had on the screen, so I tried the other stuff, which did not work, as I posted earlier.

Then, after reading your last post, I searched for how to do a system restore with XP, followed the link using the Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools> etc. and restored to 01 March 2007.

It now works fine!!

Thank you so much.

Alex

P.S. How can I find out if/when my 'subscription' to "WindowsBBS" expired? I would like to renew it if it has expired.

 

Hello Alex,

I would stop installing MS patches blindly.

To do MS Updates one at a time:

Go into the Control Panel > Security Center.

Scroll down to Manage Security Settings.

Click on Automatic Updates.

Tick either the Download but let me install option, or Notify...

And space them out over a number of days.

Non-criticals such as referenced in Whiskeyman's post do not create System Restore points. If you do a non-critical update, create a manual Restore point prior. To learn how, type System Restore into Help & Support's search box.

Regards - Charles