Hardware or Virus?

Hi Kids, my computer was acting goofy so I reformatted it. Still goofy. It cycles through the start up process several times before finally getting to the desktop.
Then sometimes it will just restart itself - by itself - I'm getting very frustrated.
Someone told me it might be a virus problem, and I tried to install the AVG free virus program, but when I click on it it says that it isn't a valid Win 32 application - so I assume I haven't got it.
Can someone help a tech (and evidently mentally) impaired housewife through this?
Thanks so much -- Jeannie........(jeanns on the net)

 

I have had the same exact symptoms, it was memory. The memory was borderline, but would usually work. Replacing it with better memory (faster) did the trick on this machine.

 

If you formatted the HDD and it still acted the same then it's more than likely a hardware issue.

 

check 3 things, its most likely either memory, mobo, or proc, also check the nic sometimes those can cause screwy problems believe it or not