Computer Restarts After Accepting Files On Windows Live Messenger

Ok here's the problem...

I built a new pc (out of older parts), which is running Windows XP. I loaded it with all the goodies like anti virus software, defrag programs, registry cleaners, etc. I than install Windows Live Messenger... Alright no problem. Than I get the usual file sent by a friend be it mp3, video file, picture, etc. & than bam the computer restarts as soon as I accept the file. Shortly there after the computer has a mind of it's own and starts to reboot whenever it feels like doing so. Be it during an hour of web surfing, three hours of idling doing absolutely nothing, or once again the second I accept a file from anyone through Windows Live Messenger.

I don't understand this issue and scratch my head... So I reinstall Windows XP (mind you Service Pack 3), and use the computer with Windows Live Messenger installed without receiving any type of file for over twenty days without a single problem. Heck, even changing my Messenger screen name to ''Don't send me files''. But than ok I get curious after twenty days of no reboots and decide to accept a file from someone just for the sake of seeing if the issue still lingers. & voila what do you know? Boom the computer restarts as soon as I accept the file. & also begins to get a mind of it's own there after, even while I'm not on Windows Live Messenger. Just randomly rebooting itself whenever it feels the need to do so.

I've been bugging out about this problem for quite sometime. I know the cause but I just don't know how to fix it. The only remedy I can find is reinstalling Windows XP, installing the messenger app, but not accepting files from anyone. But come on folks this is burden some... Because I also forgot to mention the fact that not only does this happen when I accept a file. It also happens when someone sends me a file without my knowing so, and not accepting it. Yah that's right you can send me a file, I won't accept it, and boom the pc reboots and the problem begins again.

What's going on? Can someone please tell me how to tackle this issue? I desperately need to use Windows Live Messenger every single day to send and receive files, not to mention to talk to my folks who live in a far off country over the free voip services it offers. I've searched and searched to no avail for information on this, but I can't seem to strike gold. Please someone, anyone, help me tackle this mysterious issue. By the way I'm not changing messenger apps to Aol, Trillium, Skype, etc. That's out of the question... I've been a Windows Live Messenger user since 1999. It works fine on all of my other computers, including my much older pcs.

Thank You


:wave

 

The only thing I've noticed with WLM is that it insists on running a virus scan on any incoming file, maybe it's not happy starting your choice of A/V? Check your File Transfer options, there may be some anomaly there.

Try installing Windows Messenger 5.1 alongside it and accepting a download with that, it may allow you to narrow down the problem.

 

I actually don't have it set to use my anti virus at all. There really are no file transfer settings in WLM other than, reject unsafe files, scan with ''your choice of anti virus'', scan with/install Windows Live One Care, set a download folder location, and that's basically it.

I haven't had the chance to install WLM v5.1. That's a very old version do you think I'd have to uninstall my current WLM first? Or can both be installed at the same time?

I just found out I'm not the first to have this problem:

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/30811138/crashes-and-reboots-when.aspx

In the months I've spent searching for info all I've found was that which isn't much help.

 

I don't have any A/V on this PC, when I first tried to accept a download via WLM, I was informed that downloading wasn't allowed unless the file was scanned, I opted to allow Live One Care to scan it (One Care downloaded and scanned but isn't apparently installed) and it's been fine since.

WM 5.1 is the current version of the older, non-Live messenger ^^, I'm running it alongside WLM Build 14 something right now on Windows 7.

The eggheadcafe thread is pretty useless and I'm a little surprised Jonathan Kay didn't try to dig a little deeper but it did trigger a couple more things to check; properties of Shared Folders (if you use them, I don't), My Received files/Downloads folders - make sure they're all writeable; also select the Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager, there maybe something flagged in there that needs uninstalling or rectifying.