Need some advice on what to do..

[shinrahunter]

Hi guys, here's my problem a couple weeks ago my computer started spouting erroe messages at me, namely, "windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close" then immediately after that "dr watson has encountered a problem....."

I have done a repair install of windows xp, and disabled dr watson, Now my automatic updates wont install, I have since disabled them and am using autopatcher instead. Problem solved you think... But NO, now the computer has started turning itself off whenever it likes, mainly If I'm not using it for a while, I have checked my settings and all seems fine, I fear the only answer is to do a full re-install of xp

I do have a cracked version of Vista which I have been umming and ahhing over whether to use instead, but I don't know what to do.... Will I need to get certain drivers etc for my computer to run vista??

I am in way over my head and I just want to get this sorted out now, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[thefisherkings]

If you don't have two gives of ram don't bother with vista. I have it at work and it runs right at a 1 gig by itself.  Have you tried virus/spyware scanners. 

[shinrahunter]

well I guess that's vista out the window, and yeah, I've used avg antivirus and spybot for spyware, I've also used a registry cleaner aswell, but still no luck, I just don't wanna go through a full install only for the problems to still be there.

[Ryu # 20]

Spybot maybe? It solved my problem when my PC had random crashes and I always got a blue error message showing up. Never had anything like that again (let's knock on wood).

[thefisherkings]

Have you checked your event viewer?

[shinrahunter]

what's that?

[Marancv]

first u have to get yourself with a good antivirus. i strongly recommendu KasperSky.
..do a complete scan of your drives and clean all the filthy virus n spywares.
if doesnt fix the problem try by a "system back jump" (system recovery point) at programs-accesories-system tools-system recovery.
that takes u to a calendar with some restauration points (in bolds). choose a date previous to the problem and accept. that will turn all the system settings n configs to those in the selected date.
be sure u have your important data protected before...
if that solves the problem at first hand, then do a complete antivirus scan in all your drives.
hope it helps
regards