For some reason, while starting up, my computer shuts down when it reaches the point where it starts to load windows. However, 10% of the time it will shut down before then. Any ideas?

Try booting up in safe mode and run a spyware and virus check. Also, check your startup environment and disable any unknown items. You could also try doing a chkdsk /r on your c: drive.

I cant do any of that... windows doesnt even start up... My computer starts up for 3 to 14 seconds roughly.

When does the shutdown occur, before, during, or after the white square blocks phase (hardware detection)?

Before or during the beginning of the white square sequence. It has not gotten past just a few white squares

The phase you're stuck at is the hardware detection stage; hardware is detected and drivers installed... Possibly a driver is damaged, or some item of hardware itself is dubious... Less likely - but not unknown in this part of boot-sequence... RAM might be failing. Try last known config - a long shot - if you can... If RAM is two or more sticks, reduce to one (at a time) - min of 128Meg; and see if that allows you in? If one or more sticks allows and one or more don't you know what is OK and what isn't... Failing which... A repair installation may help resolve it... But do NOT opt for file formats changes, nor reformats etc. during your attempts to recover access to the present installation. btw: I had a similar problem recently... I ran a disk check and it flagged a few failing sectors... A repair installation appears to have done the trick for now... but a new drive is probably a wise move sooner than later... The logic of this approach/solution is not sound - but it worked...

try removing everyhting but one DIMM and your video card and see if it will boot. If it does, then the above post is right