wrote in message
oups.com...

As it turns out, something else is is getting flaky now. The machine
is restarting intermittently for no obvious reason. That may be a
motherboard about to die, or Windows about to die? Either way, I just
bought another box at the Salvation Army store for $10 and will try it.

Thanks to all who responded.

Ted Shoemaker

Let us know how you make out with the other box. If you still want to try
something in your 'old' box, try removing the ram sticks and then reinserting
them again to make sure you are getting a good connection. Poor connections on
the ram contacts can lead to all kinds of problems , including those that you
are experiencing.
Another possiblity (and there are many) is that your PSU (Power Supply Unit) is
failing.