Computer Problems

[averageguy]

I am running XP Pro Service Pack 3
I have 1 gb of memory
amd 2600
Ati radeon 1600 video card
600 watt Psu
1 80 gb hd used as main boot for os
200 gb hd
200gb hd

I am having problems when I start up my computer. I have ran a virus checker and malware protection in the past 2 days and still am having the same problem. I will turn on my computer and load it up it will come into Xp and sometimes it will just hang giving me a Hourglass and I cant stop it. I have tried just loading the basics thru safe mode and it works sometimes other times i get the hourglass. I try Cntrl -Alt- Delete to get it to see what is hanging and it won't bring that up. When the computer does boot up . I try and log in to my Instant Messanger and Web Browser and sometimes it will let me get in and online others times. It will just hang. I have reset my cable modem powered it down and let it stay off for a few minutes and same problem

 

[brons2]

try memtest86 and see if you've got a memory problem first off. You can boot it off of a CD or a floppy.

http://www.memtest86.com/

Use the free download version, it's no different than the retail version.

 

[synaptical]

have you scanned for spyware and viruses? put that on the list of things to test after testing your memory. are you overclocking anything?