I have a problem with my machine crashing apparently at random. It has crashed when using the media player, MS Word, disconnecting from the internet, downloading music files and on a couple of occasions when I was not even at the machine. I understand that there is a built-in utility that checks and refreshes system files but I do not know the name.

In XP I've found that often blue screen errors and random crashing is related to hardware. Before you do anything, if you are overclocking at all, set your fsb, multiplier etc back to the speed its designed for. If that solves it, you know where the problem is, your pushing the CPU a bit too far, or you dont have adequate cooling etc. Otherwise have a look at your hardware and make sure you have all the latest drivers/firmware etc for everything. Also did you recieve any compatibility warnings when installing XP that told you some of your hardware may cause problems? (You can always run the compatibility test from the CD and look at the microsft compatibility list). Random crashing due to hardware is often caused by things such as graphics cards, network cards, sound cards, RAM, mostly added perpherals on the motherboard, especially older hardware. Try to run your system as minimally as possible, ie take out things such as network cards, sound cards, graphics cards (if you have on board graphics on your mobo :-) ). Bascially try and rule out hardware possibilities. If the system still crashes whilst running in this state, swap all the memory if you can, or at least use a memory testing utility (there are quite a few easy to find good ones out there, just do a search). If it then runs fine or if the test throws up errors you know what to replace :-) Saying all that it could be software based, but virtually evey time I've encountered this it's been a hardware issue...Hope this helps

Theo.. Everything you mention above points to "SpyWare" on your computer. Spyware loves to know what songs you listen to and what media files you are playing to target ads at you. It also can mess with your internet connect. Go to http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ and download AdAware, it's free! Install it, get the latest refupdate and scan your computer. This program will scan your cookie files, your registry and the computer HD itself again a database of known SpyWare. You can choose to remove any or all know SpyWare. RePost something to let us know if this fixes your problem. I think it will.

Follow Up: I wanted to add to my last post that the I agree with m00m!n m0m4 about his take on blue screens. He's right on the money. BUT, When SpyWare collides, you also have these symptoms: internet disconnects, slow performance, low system resources, reboots, and yes BSD's. Reason... you most like have more than one SpyWare program. Both are vieing for control. If one can't take control, it can reboot, disconnect or BSD you crashing your Kernel32. When you respond to the above posts, give us what Blue Screen of Death you're getting and what file is involved. I'm guessing the Kernel32, but give us more info. We won't need all the numbers posted, most of them are what line in the program it crashed. If you are getting a Stop: error, that number would be helpful.

Doesn't sound like spyware would be the first suspected culpret here, but "Ad-Aware" is a good suggestion anyway. Hardware is most commonly the issue when "Blue Screens" are involved, as a previous poster mentioned. There is a utility on Windows XP, one which you've mentioned, and the syntax is as follows: SFC /scannow You can also control how the computer handles system crashes by going into the Control Panel, System, Advanced, Setting (Startup & Recovery), "System Failure". You might also get some clues by inspecting your Logs and/or Event Viewer (Computer Manager). Cheers! kmd

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have tried: 1. Ran sfc/scannow. Machine wanted to install some DLL's which took forever, then to download something from Microsoft whereupon it crashed. 2. Ran compatibility test from CD. An incompatible driver was found, but no hints anywhere on how to get rid of it. (Help is still crashing) 3. System restore to before the first problem. No further blue screens but IE6 and the help centre still crash. Most other apps also seem to go "phut" without warning. 4. System restore to the day the machine was built (16 days ago). Now system rstore also crashes, along with help and pretty much everything else. 3. Desperation. Reload XP Pro from CD. Still error message about incompatible driver, then warnings about two other software items (Soundmax and WinFast A170). I did not install these as was suggested by the installer and the re-installation seemed to go well until the Dynamic download bit when it crashed again. I did see a bit of a message referring to a missing device driver which may have read "XML Profile". I am now downloading the latest updates but don't hold much hope. Theo