Sam has a point Joan. The things you are describing point directly to a corrupted Windows install. A clean reinstall will fix this and you should have a working, spare machine. the only cost would be a little time.

Good catch finding the "not quite plugged in" RAM - this could easily have caused the Windows corruption in the first place.

Sam also has a point RE HDD content - if you don't want to keep it at least remove it and drill some big holes in it OR download a secure wipe proggy off the 'net and securely erase it. Even if you don't think there's personal data on it you may be surprised what some people can find. In this situation let Paranoia be your middle name - say, did you know that you're only paranoid if you're wrong?


--=-- My credo: If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing - just ask my missus, she'll tell ya laugh --=--
You're only paranoid if you're wrong!