How to make a 7 year old home pc run FLASH and SPYBOT

Hello and Thank you for your time.
I am a pensioner so money is tight. My PC (details below) is old (7 yrs) and each time I try to use FLASH or even run a scan on Spybot my pc just quietly shuts down. I think it may be an available memory issue. Is there something I can add to my pc to allow it to run FLASH PLAYER and Spybot?? Or is it just too old.
Thank you for your opinion.
Jane

OS Name   Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version   5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer   Microsoft Corporation
System Name   JANE
System Manufacturer   GBT___
System Model   AWRDACPI
System Type   X86-based PC
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~3014 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date   Award Software International, Inc. F6, 15/07/2004
SMBIOS Version   2.3
Windows Directory   C:\WINDOWS
System Directory   C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device   \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale   United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer   Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name   JANE\Owner
Time Zone   AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory   512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory   117.58 MB
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory   1.96 GB
Page File Space   1.22 GB
Page File   C:\pagefile.sys

When was the last time you cleaned the dust out of the computer with a can of compressed air?

Hello JJ 3000

Today actually, pulled the side off and dusted - there wasnt much there.

Ran a scan on Spybot as a trial - no joy, just shut down midway as usual.

cheers

jane

my pc just quietly shuts down.

Please post the computer model. Any past events/errors leading to the problem?

I try to use FLASH or even run a scan on Spybot

Is it only happening on this two instances?

Hello JJ 3000

Today actually, pulled the side off and dusted - there wasnt much there.

Ran a scan on Spybot as a trial - no joy, just shut down midway as usual.

cheers

jane

What's the temperature in the PC Health section of the BIOS when it shuts down?

You need more RAM (Physical Memory).  Windows XP will no longer run acceptably with only 512MB, you now need at least 1GB.  We had the same issue as you with machines about the same age.  Upgrading to 1 or 2GB solved the issues.

Firstly - Thank you everyone. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Computer Commando - how do I increase my physical memory on this pc please.

Should I call a Computer Tech or is it something I could do once I buy the ....?  Memory?

Please post the computer model. Any past events/errors leading to the problem?Is it only happening on this two instances?

Hi Jason 2074, I have no clue about the model..ss and Yes it shuts down only in those 2 situations.

Thank you.

What's the temperature in the PC Health section of the BIOS when it shuts down?

Hello Raptor...I'm afraid you lost me after Whats the temperature....the rest ...?  I don't know where to look, ss

Hello Raptor...I'm afraid you lost me after Whats the temperature....the rest ...?  I don't know where to look, ss

When the computer boots up it prompts you to enter the BIOS pressing the F2 or Del key (Or some other key, usually one of those, though)
In the BIOS is a PC health section (Could be called differently)

Don't change any settings, just navigate with the arrow keys and see if you can find the temperature section.

Alternatively, you could download this: http://www.gtopala.com/
it'll give you a read-out but you need to be in Windows for it to work.

Hi Jane,

You need more RAM (Physical Memory).  Windows XP will no longer run acceptably with only 512MB, you now need at least 1GB.  We had the same issue as you with machines about the same age.  Upgrading to 1 or 2GB solved the issues.

But have a technician install it. At the same time have the harddrive check for bad sectors and errors. As for it to only happen in 2 programs suggests it is a data error.
If you want to check the harddrive yourself there is a very easy to use windows program called HDtune that will report the harddrives condition as well as check for bad sectors.

The program is available for a free trial from   http://www.hdtune.com/

 

how do I increase my physical memory on this pc please.

Go to Crucial.com and run their memory scan.  It will tell you what kind of memory you have now and what you can do to increase RAM.  Obviously, they are in the business to sell memory, but their prices are competitive, customer service is very good and the memory scan tool is excellent.

http://www.crucial.com

Hi rthompson,
Thank you for your reply.
My system manufacturer is GBT ..see below and it's not on Crucial's list. My PC is a pentium 4 if that helps?
OS Name   Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version   5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer   Microsoft Corporation
System Name   JANE
System Manufacturer   GBT___
System Model   AWRDACPI
System Type   X86-based PC
Processor   x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~3014 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date   Award Software International, Inc. F6, 15/07/2004
SMBIOS Version   2.3
Windows Directory   C:\WINDOWS
System Directory   C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device   \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale   United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer   Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name   JANE\Owner
Time Zone   AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory   512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory   203.92 MB
Total Virtual Memory   2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory   1.96 GB
Page File Space   1.22 GB
Page File   C:\pagefile.sys

Thank you Techo,

Yes I think that's exactly what I'll do, and hope that I get someone honest...fingers crossed.

Thank you for your time.

cheers

jane

Hello again Raptor,

I will reboot and see if I can follow your instructions.

Thank you.