Computer seems unstable.

[Thingamadude]

I dont know much about computers so if somthing i say doesnt make sense just tell me. My computer has started running slower and somtimes in games it will without warning restart itself. I have seen some warnings saying windows has just recovered from a serious error. I'm geussing it is a virus but im not sure. I have Norton 2004 and that doesnt find anything(oddly hasnt found anything in a long time) and everything that i wanted to keep on my computer I put onto cd so im thinking about just reinstalling the os to see if that works do you think that would solve it? and i would also like to know if i reinstall my os do i have to set up my computer to work with the router i have it hooked up to again? the setup wizard for xp didnt work at all when I first got my router and i had to fallow a set of directions (which i lost) and my isp is a very unhelpful local cable company so if their is a way that I could save my internet settings or somthing that would help a lot.

[batmeat]

You may have spyware on your machine. Try running spy bot before you format. Also, if you do format, you will have to setup your computer nework settings unless your router is set to assign addresses by DHCP.

[Thingamadude]

I forgot to post that spybot and ad-aware didnt find anything.

[batmeat]

Have you defragmented your hard drive?

[Thingamadude]

a few days ago it is only about 1% fragmented.

[batmeat]

Hmm...well, if you have everything backed up on cd and your comfortable with a format, go for it. You will need to setup your network a bit though.

[Thingamadude]

Well thanks for your ideas i geuss im gonna just do it and see if it works ok.

[mateo leet-o]

could be bad ram causing a problem, if you can try another stick for a different machine that would be good
run memtest86 just in case