I'm scared: My computer won't work

Obviously overstated, since I can use the Internet, but I'm scared just the same. I was playing around with Vista Sidebar stuff and suddenly my computer screen went blank and then the machine restarted on its own.
When it came back on, I found that none of my Desktop icons would work, my Microsoft Security Essentials was off and I couldn't turn it back on, and no other apps would work.
When I tried to cut and paste some error messages into this message, I found that that doesn't work.
I can't remember how to go into Safe Mode--and, of course, I wouldn't know what to do if I could get into it.
I have Vista Home Edition. I have another computer, with XP on it, and I assume it's working okay and I will be able to see replies to my plea for help on the Outlook Express on it.
Please help, and thanks in advance.

 

Reboot, and access Safe Mode by pressing F8 before Windows starts - while you're in there, check out your Device Manager, make sure there are no alerts - also check out your Event Viewer for any errors that may have occurred at or about the time of the crash...

Another shot: turn off 'Automatically Restart' in advanced System Properties...

Then boot into normal mode, and be ready to record any further symptoms...

 

Hi Caliban: I did the things you suggested. But almost nothing worked in Safe Mode and I couldn't see any reasons in Device Manager or Event Viewer.
What happens after I start up the computer and go into Safe Mode is that the Desktop icons show up and a few things show in the task bar. One app, Weatherbug, opens automatically and as I move about in that app, the screen goes black and words in white appear.
The first sentence is: "A problem has developed and Windows has shut down to prevent damage to your computer." It does shut down, but a few seconds later the computer begins rebooting. It reboots in normal mode and the same thing eventually happens as it did in Safe Mode.
Do I have to go to a computer repair place? Thanks for your first response to my message.

 

Hello Halo: I will run the guide if I can. I have been thinking software problem all along, but your mention of a possible hardware failure causes me to mention this: It's my laptop that has the problem and for quite a while the right hinge of the lid has been broken. I can push the hinge in a little and kind of force the lid closed, but I've only done that for a couple of trips. Otherwise, I keep the lid open all the time.

 

Nothing seems to work for me. We have a really good computer guru in our small town, so I am going to trust my laptop to him. Thanks for the responses.

 

I would doubt that a broken hinge could cause your problems, unless it's somehow interfering with the ribbon cable. Agreed with Halo: you really need to make sure this is not being caused by some form of malware - your symptoms are common malware symptoms.

If you're going to take it to a repair person, you might suggest to her/him to run full malware scans, possibly repair a corrupt registry, and/or a repair reinstall.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

Well, wether or not the broken hinge is the problem, it does need fixing. I just printed out this entire thread and will give it to the repair guy. I'll let you know how things come out. Thanks.