I recently received a Dell running Windows XP from my brother's friend. The computer has a lot of malware that I am going to take care of once I can get the computer itself relatively stable.

Heres the rundown:

I boot up the computer and I get to the log-in screen. I can stay here as long as I want and nothing happens.
Once I log in the computer usually works for about 20-60 seconds and then the computer either resets itself or I get the blue screen of death.

On the blue screen of death I get this info:



Thanks a ton for any help.


*Edit*
The computer runs fine in Safe Mode.

This post has been edited by anthrax66: Jul 19 2008, 09:59 PM

0x0000008E: KERNEL_MODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

A kernel mode program generated an exception which the error handler didn’t catch. These are nearly always hardware compatibility issues (which sometimes means a driver issue or a need for a BIOS upgrade).

The first thing i would check is the memory. Try running one stick if you have 2. Swap them around to see if the error stops. try borrowing some memory from a friend and see if the error stops.

The other thing is if you installed some hardware in the computer. Remove the hardware and see if the error stops. If you have the time try disabling some of the programs in msconfig ( start-run- type msconfig & enter). Try hitting the F8 key while booting and get into safe mode. Is it stable in safe mode? System spec's would help.

SRX660

I tried switching around my memory sticks and I wasn't having any luck so I decided to check if the previous owner of the computer happened to have made a system restore point.

He had.
I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier.
The computer is running fine now, before even attempting to remove malware and such.

Thanks a bunch for your help.