Start up issues

I hope this is the right forum. My computer has some serious problems at start up which are slowly getting worse. It is running Windows XP. At start up, it will restart a couple of times, flashing the BSOD. Then it freezes repeatedly as I try to restart it. Each time I restart, the start up process progresses a little further. After about eight or nine attempts, it finally runs. Once started, it runs O.K., but doesn't perform like it used to.

I've run anti-spyware and anti-virus software regulary since I got this machine. I've sent the error reports to Microsoft and run some of their diagnostic tools. Sometimes these tell me I have a problem with my CPU, systems board, RAM and / or power supply. Sometimes they tell me I am missing a driver. I have no idea if this is a software or hardware problem.

I opened the case last weekend, blew out all the dust, checked and reseated the connections and reseated my RAM. I also replaced my power supply at that time. None of this solved the issue.

What do I do next? Thanks.

 

have you tried starting it up in safe mode and see if it runs better?

 

Yes, I've restarted it in safe mode several times trying to find the problem, but I haven't tried it when the computer is cold. This seems to be when I have issues, starting up after the computer has been off for a while.

 

Tried starting in safe mode this morning after the computer had been off all night. I had the same problem, and had to restart it five times to finally get to my desktop.