XP Pro Boot up failure

HELP! I have brought a new machine and stupidly went on to the internet via broadband without any protection other than the XP Pro Firewall which as i already know is nothing more than a filter.

I downloaded a music video from a site called Supernova. This is a BIT Torrenting site.

When i opened the file in Windows Media Player the window opened in full screen mode and then my PC just completely froze. No access or response of any kind was possible.

I reset my machine and deleted the file. Everything seems fine apart from a niggling occurence.

Very infrequently when booting up, the machine displays a blank, light blue, screen with an old style error message window containing three lines of symbols which i can only describe as WingDings.

The PC then automatically reboots and starts up again as normal as though there is nothing wrong.

As mentioned. This only happens about once or twice in a week but i am obviously very concerned.

HAS SOMETHING WRITTEN ITSELF IN TO MY BIOS OR SOMETHING? MAYBE AN UNDISCOVERABLE VIRUS OR TROJAN?

I have now through this experience discovered this amazing web site and have downloaded Ad-Aware, Spybot and SpywareGuard. I have also downloaded Avast AntiVirus and Kerio Personal Firewall. SAFE!

CAN ANYONE HELP ME?

 

Hi Ya.

I'm what you might call 'cattching on'. Not quite a novice and certainly not a pro at PCing.

I don't see how i can get a screen shot if it is a problem with the PC?

If i disable the XP auto restart can i 'Ctrl - Print Screen' and then restart the PC before posting it to you?

Do i have to download a patch up date from MS to solve the problem?

 

To get a screen shot just press Shift+Print Screen and it will automatically attach a screen shot to your clipboard. Then just into Paint and select paste. Then save that image for the next time you boot up and send it to us. Remember to save it as .jpg so that you can send it to us!

 

Call me stupid. How do i get from 'Shift - Print Screen' to actually getting in to my PC to save it before rebooting to get out of the error?

 

That would be a problem.

 

I KNOW. I have an artistic flare. I'll do a CAD drawing and post it tomorrow for you.

Thanks again.

Good night.

 

Yeah I would take a picture of it somehow and then send it to us on another computer. And besides, doing the CAD drawing will take a while.

 

I'll see what i can do.

Cheers.

 

OK. To be honest i can't be bothered or have the time or inclination (especially after a day at work) to bother with a 'search and destroy' mission for something i can't really explain how it got there.

Maybe the whole Refresh would be a better option.

Don't know really. I have to understand something before i can make a decision on it.

I think a few nights sleep and a couple of hours read up. Then i can make my mind up.

If the worst comes to the worst i can reinstall everything. Lets hope not though?

Thanks again guys. Lots of help.