we need to know the code for why it is doing that. when it shuts down are you seeing any warning screens that say anything?
Go to Control panel, administrative tools, event viewer, there you will see a list of options on the left, select each one individually to view the logs, if you spot any yellow or red flags highlight that entry and double click on it to get the information box, there will be codes there that can be looked up.

you can stop the pc from doing the automatic restart here are the directions
Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure in Windows XP
you may then be able to see an error code when you try to restart it.

did this just start happening like this week or has it been on going? there were a number of windows updates this week did you do those? some have caused problems for some people. If it did just start you can choose to either uninstall the updates you did or try a system restore to the date before this started. If it has been ongoing that would probably not work since it would be too long past.

Thanks Raven, this problem started a couple of days ago.
I went to event viewer and there are several (many) red errors.One is ssflobox.scr and the others are iexplore.exe.
also had a pop up saying event log is corrupt.
Would it heal these if I do a restore back a few days?

When you were in the event viewer window if you double clicked on each error message another window would appear and it would provide a link to a fix at MS frequently. Did you try any of these or were there indications of where the issue/s may be?

Everytime I click on the link after double clicking the error, the computer restarts, and it is to do all over again. Hope this makes it through before another restart.

Restore the computer to a time when things were working. A few days back. See if it helps.

Everytime I click on the link after double clicking the error, the computer restarts, and it is to do all over again

So if you can get there again just note the error id number and report back. Before or after you try a restore, your choice.

How old is the computer?
Have you ever removed the side and cleaned out the dust bunnies?
Wondering if heat is the issue.

Zep, yes it helped, but the Error messages are still in the event viewer...don't have a clue how to remove them, nor to fix them...

you do not want to remove them just leave them be and watch the event viewer daily to see if new ones are being generated they will show the dates on them.

How old is your computer? It wouldn't hurt to save your
Documents to a CD.
cg

The computer is 3-4 years old.
I cleaned all the dust bunnies out first thing after it started acting up.
Event Error ID: 1000(security center)
Security failure event ID: 529,680
System event ID: 7035,7026,7001,7000,7024,2004.
Hope this is what you were asking.

have you ever had Norton installed on that pc by any chance?

I just checked my computer temperature. It may raise a couple of degrees after it's been running a while.
-----------------------------------
If your computer is getting to hot it will cut off.
Check the temperature in the Bios. By tapping
F2 Key when you start of.
I'm giving my temperature as an example.
CPU 38c degrees
Current System Temp. 35c degrees
-------------------------------------------
CPU Fan Speed 2483 RPM
System Fan Speed 1332 RPM
===============================================
If your temperature is close to mine
and both fans are running than I would assume your
computer is not over heating.
Since your computer doesn't stay on very long it's not
possible to run Error Checking on it.
If you have access to another computer you can take your
hard drive out and put it into another computer as a slave.
This will allow you to run Error Checking.
If you do this pay attention when it finishes to what it
has to say about bad sectors not being repaired.
This message won't stay on long.
It may repair and fix your hard drive.
--------------------------------------------
1. Error Checking- This takes about 35 minutes on mine but
using a slave hook up it may take 90 minutes. Whatever it
takes don't try to stop it.
The hard drive that is connected to the slave connection
will be listed.
Start - my computer - right click the hard drive that needs checking - properties - Tools Tab -
Error checking section - Check now - check mark both boxes - Start -
cg

I believe you have to section of Ram. You could take one out
trying each one separate to see if that is the problem.
Be extra careful static electricity and unplug your pc.
The same for removing the hard drive.
Check to see any capacitor are bulging.
cg

"No matter how I choose to start, when I get online, it shuts off and restarts several times."

Which browser and have you tried an alternative browser?

I might have missed it, have you completed all the onboard scans for viruses, malware and such?

Have you tried disabling your AV and going to a safe site such as here, both in normal and Safe Mode? The same with any other active system scanners you may have enabled to run in the background? Turn them all off if you haven't.

Have you done any system maintenance or registry "cleaning" just prior to this beginning?

Have you deleted any software? If so, how? Manually, through the Add/Remove utility, or another application such as REVO?

Have you with good faith made any settings changes to Windows or any current applications?

DA

Thanks, everyone...restored back to July and it didn't help, so then when I couldn't get on line, I did a complete system recovery...now I can't do anything. Keep getting pop up saying system not fully installed...run set up again...problem is I don;t have a set up CD. I made 6 cd'swhen I purchased the computer, and that is what I used. Can't even get online.
Am using laptop to send this.

It is unfortunate your concern continues. I do like the idea of trying a restore. I sure wish you would have shared the recovery thought though. My position, and I have read it here amongst other members too, is a recovery is the last step taken. I for one would have asked you consider waiting.

DA

Believe me, I didn't want to do it, but it seemed the only thing left to do. I wasn't getting anywhere, and couldn't get it to start in order to do anything more.

Well all is definitely not lost. Messy perhaps but.........

While you may not have the original Windows XP Cd for that computer you can use another copy of the same version - Pro or Home. The difference is that when it gets to entering the 25 digit code you use the one glued on the tower, that registration code is tied to that motherboard.

You will have to search online for drivers for the motherboard, onboard sound, LAN and video of course. Time consuming tasks but you could do that before installing Windows. Also download a firewall, anti virus and an anti malware program then these can be added before going online, especially the anti virus..

owbist, the computer will not even come on...

the computer will not even come on...

Expand on that statement please.
When you push the start button on the front of the tower does anything happen?
LED lights appear on the tower? One, none or both?
Fans start to spin up?
Activity show on the monitor?
Add anything esle that happns or does not happen but normally should.

owbist,thanks for not giving up on me...
when I turn the pc on there is a flashing (-) sign in upper left corner.
Sometimes red and green square with DVI and another set of three letters and they both flash NO SIGNAL. Then the AUTO ADJUSTMENT flashes several times, then pc off and MONITOR GOING TO SLEEP.
If you can help me through this, I will be eternally in your debt.

owbist, this time, the black screen came on, saying:"windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt." windows root>\system32\hal.dll

OK so we are sort of winning here. We now know the hardware is working because you had a signal on the screen.

Have you been inside this computer recently? If so what did you do and how did you do it?

Did you try as Cboy suggested yesterday in taking out one stick of RAM (memory) and running the computer? Swap sticks if it fails to run. You show you have 1 gig and it is shared with the video drivers. You may be amazed at what that can do sometimes. Remember Cboy's warning, keep a bare arm or hand on the metal casing to eliminate static electricity and remove the power cord from the back before entering. The grounding is to protect the hardware, not you.

On this last occasion when you had the black screen did it show the DOS prompt? In other words was the final line something like C:\_ with the underscore flashing next to it?

If so type in chkdsk /f and hit Enter. This is to check the hard drive and hope fully fix any errors if in fact there are any. At the very least it removes that as possibility.

No, it does not show that...this try brought up the microsoft xp window and when it went off screen the windows message came up..saying.THE SYSTEM IS NOT FULLY INSTALLED.PLEASE RUN SET UP AGAIN.
i BORROWED A WINDOWS XP OPERATING DISK BUT IT IS FROM EMACHINES...WILL THIS WORK?
I opened the tower after the problems first started...I cleaned the dust out and wiped the fans. Have not removed the memory cards yet, but will do this next. I installed 250 or 500 MB (don't remember which) about three years ago.

No, it does not show that...this try brought up the microsoft xp window and when it went off screen the windows message came up..saying.THE SYSTEM IS NOT FULLY INSTALLED.PLEASE RUN SET UP AGAIN.
i BORROWED A WINDOWS XP OPERATING DISK BUT IT IS FROM EMACHINES...WILL THIS WORK?
I opened the tower after the problems first started...I cleaned the dust out and wiped the fans. Have not removed the memory cards yet, but will do this next. I installed 250 or 500 MB (don't remember which) about three years ago.

is it the same version of windows as in xp home or xp pro? you should have the key code somewhere on your pc tower for your pc and can use that key code, NOT the one on the cd you borrowed, but it will need to be the same version of windows.

when you say it is from emachines do you mean it is a recovery disc from someones emachines computer? if so no you can not use that, if you mean it is a real copy of windows xp operating system that someone used to install on their emachines then yes you can use it if it is the same version of windows you had on your pc.

It says "use this disk to reinstall your operating system."
I changed the memory cards...no difference.
I am now in BIOS CMOS Setup utility, is there something you need to know about that?

where could I purchase a windows xp cd?

If you have a Walmart near by, you could buy one there. Or Go online to Tiger Direct , CompUSA or Global Computer or New Egg .com They sell computer parts and often have software at a reduced price

In my eMachine, in the Bios I can check the temperature, have you done this? Below is what I posted earlier.
If your computer is getting hot it will cut off to protect
the PC.
If I had your computer I would want to know if your problem
is in the hard drive or some were else. If you put your hard drive into another computer as a slave you can do 2 things.
Error Checking and Copy your files to a CD.
You can buy a hard drive enclosure for about $40.00 or less
that will plug into a USB. This will allow you to remove your files. I'm not sure about running Error Checking from
an enclosure. Ask someone. This website explains hard drives
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/adding-a-hard-drive.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------
If you need an Install CD for your computer, call or email them. I bought one for mine for $20.00 from eMachine.
---------------------------------------------------
If you can get an extra hard drive (Remove the old one)
and use the eMachine Install CD (that you mention) the first thing your computer will want you to do is go online and Register it.
You won't be allowed to use the computer except to Register.
Just let the computer set and run, if it doesn't cut off
than I would say the problem is in your hard drive.
Or take the computer to a repair shop. Their getting $65.00
just to check a computer out were I live.
-----------------------------------------------------
Check the temperature in the Bios. By tapping
F2 Key when you start of.
I'm giving my temperature as an example.
CPU 38c degrees
Current System Temp. 35c degrees
-------------------------------------------
CPU Fan Speed 2483 RPM
System Fan Speed 1332 RPM

you have a compaq presario as you mentioned in your original post you therefore can NOT use a disc that is a restore disc created for an emachines computer. You CAN use a legit windows xp cd if it is the SAME version as what you currently have on the pc, you have not told us if you have xp home or xp pro.
Do you not have your original recovery discs that came with your presario? If you do you can use those.

Be very very careful if trying to purchase windows xp, it has been discontinued and it is not so easy to find new legit copies these days, there are tons of scams out there so know who you are dealing with. And it is definitely NOT a good idea to purchase any used OS.

Try this website.
http://www.compaq.com/country/cpq_support.html
cg

News, I am using the 'broken'PC...last night after turning off and on dozens of times, I finally got a green screen with chance for system recovery...clicked yes, and lo and behold, Compaq has a built in system recovery.

Only problem...got a message saying "your system has detected a configuration error.Please call customer care. CODE PURPLE"...no phone #

Things are looking brighter all the time Ceebee.

Take a look at the long thread linked below and see what might be relevant in your case. Gets interesting from post #7 onwards and I got to about 15, you may want to read further of course.

I had written this below before looking for the code purple stuff so use it if everything on the link is useless.

As you have restored this to factory defaults you will have loads of XP updates to install. Before doing that you could run 'System File Checker' which will go through your Windows install and repair any corrupt or missing files. You have the recovery partition there and will need to point to it when asked.

Click start, click Run, type sfc /scannow, click OK and it should run. Note the space between sfc and / and there are 2 x N in scannow.

I forget the exact procedure but either it asks where the i386 folder is at the start or when a file needs replacing but you will see a message appear.

Here is a link that might be useful: CODE PURPLE - help maybe

cboy, unable to find temp in bios. Guess I don't know the correct prodedure.

owbist, The website gives some great solutions for code purple, but they seem too much for an old lady. I did do the error checking (using sfc /scannow) and it finished, but I never got the chance to choose anything. It just finished checking and that was it...however, the machine seems to be working perfectly now. I have installed AVG antiviris, and have gotten upgraded through service pack 2.

Thanks to you all for the great help you have provided. Just knowing you are there is a great feeling.

It's probably too late for this but I've heard Acronis True Image Home is a pretty good product. Maybe keep it in mind for next time or in case you get the computer working just as you like it again, you can create a disc image at that point. Below is the Cnet review.

Here is a link that might be useful: cnet review of acronis true image home