Why is my computer acting so weird?

Question

Hello people!

I need some help with my computer. Its a desktop. It has been acting very strange lately and it gets worse (problem after problem). First my computer screen would flash because the computer. I am 110% sure this problem has NOTHING to do with the monitor because the monitor has been working completely fine with the computer for many months and it never had any problems until now. I have noticed it flashes black, and it only flashes when I run a program such as Windows Live Messenger, Steam, Windows Media Player, or GOM Player. Also, when I press Ctrl + Alt + Del, and run task manager, it stops flashing and sometimes when its stops, it changes the settings. Like icons and windows get much bigger, or much smaller.

Another issue is that the computer turns off after like 28 minutes of use. That is new...perhaps over-heating, but it just started happing. It was a brand new power supply, and a braHard-DriverdDrive. I really have no idea what is going to happen to me, so please help me. It is a WindowsBusinessuisness OS, 512 MB RAM, no idea what the processor or graphic cards are, but they were designed for Windows XP. Please remind yourself that this computer was working fine until maybe May-June 2008. Perhaps it was because Windows Vista Service Pack 1? Thanks! much is appreciated!

Its a desktop. Oh, the computer is in the garage..ooh..it is pretty hot in their. But my moms computer doesnt do anything like that. She has an HP, with LCD screen, I have home-made desktop with LCD screen. Problem remains unsolved.

Answer 1

Confused...how are you running Vista on that?  

It does sound like you are running hot or your new psu could be bad.  Be sure that none of your connections are lose.  

Bring it inside your home and see if a nice cool house makes a difference.

Answer 2

You do not have enough RAM to run Vista Business - that's why it shuts off after 20-30 minutes of use and why your settings keep automatically adjusting.  You need at least 1 GB but I would recommend more like 2 GB for it to run well.

Answer 3

Since you know that it sits in a hot environment, it may very well be a heat issue.  How's the dust situation inside the case?  Are any of the fans covered in dust?  How about the processor cooler fan?  Are the fins of the heatsink full of dust?  Since it is automatically shutting down after it gets warmed up, you are most likely correct that it is indeed overheating.

Personal Computers are designed to run in an optimal environment.  Essentially that means about 76 degrees or cooler room temperature.  Try cleaning out the fans and fins, don't neglect the power supply fan(s), and move the computer somewhere cooler... and see if the problems persist.

Have you been running your Anti-spyware programs regularly?