We need to get you to try the basics, going back to the fundamentals of the machine.
The problem is one or more of these. We have to figger out which one: corrupted install from any of a number of causes, BIOS error, Chipset Error, Infestation of spyware or virus, failing memory modules, bad video graphics driver or bad video port, unreliable power supply, failing hard drive or one with newly bad sectors, failing cpu fan (rare), bad motherboard, defective card in one of the pci slots.
The first thing to do is download on another machine all the drivers available at the computer manufacturer website, motherboard web site, and the websites of the device makers, if different. You need to have these handy to install later.
Some comments and questions:
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional - Version 5.1.2600 Build 2600
I don't have a reference handy. Is this version a full version or an OEM version? This makes a difference when we come to the repair, as the OEM version is difficult in running repairs.
I would check your BIOS to assure that your DVD or CD drive is first in the boot order. Then I would cold boot to the Windows XP Pro CD, and run the install in Repair Mode. This will give windows a chance to repair things in System32 and elsewhere that might be causing trouble. If you have certain OEM or Restore or Recovery versions of Windows XP Pro, they will not always run in Repair mode without sometimes causing damage. Watch your screen closely for warnings on what it says at startup.
Manufacturer MSI Model MS-6712 System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0 AuthenticAMD ~1300 Mhz (Should run at 3000 bought as 3000 Athlon XP)
Motherboard and processor are good units, not known for causing trouble.
BIOS: American Megatrends Version 07.00T, 4/2/2001 SMBIOS Version 2.3
appeears old. Have you searched for an update you can download?
Memory 1,536.00 MB (running at 266 MHZ i have 2 x 512 ddr 333 MH ram and 1 512 DDR 270 MHZ stick)
I would make my first change here, if you can get your computer to run long enough. Remove the DDR 270 module, then attempt to run Memtest 86 without it. Then remove the DDR 266 modules, and reinsert DDR 270 Run Memtest with only that module. It is important to run the memtest86 (free download) for a long time. I recommend four hours, or 7 passes, whichever is longer. It helps to have good results so you can get memory out of the way as an issue. But it is a common cause, and mismatched memory is also sometimes a cause that won't show up in a test.
NVIDIA GeForce 6600
Good, reliable video graphics card, but ALL VIDEO CARDS AND ALL VIDEO CARD DRIVERS ARE ALWAYS SUSPECT.
Download the latest driver and install it. If that has been done, download and install a previous verison.
If possible, borrow another video graphics card. Remove your driver and install the drivers for the new card. Run tests.
Video graphics cards and drivers are the most frequent causes of troubles similar to what you report.
We have not discussed infestations. What antivirus and antispyware software do you have? Run it in normal mode, then immediately reboot and run it again in SAFE MODE.
Run scans from other antivirus and antispyware downloads... in both normal and SAFE MODE. Panda, Computer Associates, Norton, McAfee, Avast, AVG, Trend Micro, Kaspersky, Adaware 2007, and SpyBot14, among others. The idea is to give other scanners a chance to see what they can find.
Again, I realize these may not be possible if you cannot keep your computer running.
Once all that is done, if still running, download and run HiJack This in the very latest version, post the results here for the experts to review.
Good luck.
