Hi,

Here is the problem:

Computer: eMachines T1742 - Pentium Celeron 1.7 GHz, 384 MB RAM, HDD 40
GB, video/sound/net (onboard)

Computer used to work fine. All of a sudden it "died" one day. Since
then, every time I turned it on, Windows XP starts and after few
minutes  it dies BUT... it doesn't simply shuts the system down - the
power button is OFF but the HDD(?) light is steady ON, the CPU fan is
OFF but the power fan is ON, monitor switches OFF,
keyboard/mouse/USB/CD etc doesn't work.

It dies "after few minutes" = usually I am able to login and and open
1or 2 applications - it varies. If I leave it without logging in - it
still dies after couple of minutes.

To turn it ON again I have to hold the power button for 5 seconds to
turn it OFF first and then I can turn it ON again.

It works fine in the SAFE MODE with networking so integrated net card
is not a problem. HDD is also not a problem - I ran chkdsk and no
problem there.

It dies after couple of minutes in VGA mode so I suspected the video
card but when I disabled the video driver and it still dies after
couple of minutes since it is loaded (or maybe i am worng here?).

I tried MS CONFIG - removed all INI sections and services and restarted
it in normal mode - it dies.

Finally, I tried to reinstall windows but it does the same once it gets
to the stage when Setup starts installing new devices - so I suspect
one of the devices/drivers. I exclude viruses or any malware.

It looks like it gets itself into some SAFE STATE because of the
hardware failure - it is not complete shutdown but something safe
enough not to ruin the rest - that's my guess.

I believe it is some kind of driver/device problem - like USB
controller or DMA etc.

I hope there is somebody who has been thru that and might help me.

Thanks a lot

Marcin