Win XP Crashes ALL THE TIME! HELP!

[TheeeChosenOne]

My Computer specs are as follows (ALL have latest drivers):
Epxo 8KHA+
Athlon 1800
Dual Hard Drives: 15 Gb running in FAT 32 & Win 98; 2nd HD 100 Gb running on other normal format for large hard drives (NTSF?)

Software which could perhaps cause crashes (i.e. I really don't know)::: Mcaffee Firewall 4.0; BlackIce Defender; latest version of Norton Systemworks
================================
I've experienced the following problem on both this computer AND my New Sony Laptop: When I'm surfing or doing anything work related with mouse, my computer SUDDENLY RESETS itself AND REBOOTS itself. This happens to me about 2-3 times per day of 8 hours use!!

Any ideas what's causing this? I'm sure I'm not the only one with this issue as my laptop exhibits the same problem BUT at a lesser extent......................

 

[chaswood]

Had a similar problem and found that I'd dropped a screw when building my system that was under the motherboard. Would short and re-boot, similar to your problem.

If you have other versions of Windows that you can boot from a floppy or CD, this might help you figure if it's XP or not.

Could be lots of other things, but you might want to check for hardware shorts.

 

[Basie]

What kind of PSU do you have. Probably best to have at least 350W.

 

[BFG10K]

-don't overclock anything or tweak your BIOS too aggressively.
-always use the latest WHQL drivers for your components.
-check your cooling and power supply.
-make sure you have the latest chipset drivers and BIOS for your system.

 

[GregANDTCH]

I know if you try to use Norton AV 2000
on WinXP, it'll reboot you everytime you try
to scan a file.
Are you using special drivers with the mouse?
Is it PS2 or USB?

 

[Mem]

<< Software which could perhaps cause crashes (i.e. I really don't know)::: Mcaffee Firewall 4.0; BlackIce Defender; latest version of Norton Systemworks >>



Try uninstalling the software above and see how it performs if ok then install software one at a time,I would disable auto reboot for WinXP so you can see the BSOD mesage next time it happens.
what version of Nortons SystemWorks do you`ve?

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

Thanks all for all the excellent advice.

In answer to the previous question I have Norton Systemworks 2002.

I called Microsoft and they said it could be BlackIce Defender since many people have called in with the same problem and actually had BlackICE.

I will play around with the advice you all ahve given me. I

If you guys have anything else to add, I'd certainly appreciate it!

Thanks again!.................