error report windows xp pro

My computer is constantly giving me an error report. when this happens i can't open, my computer, my documents or anything windows supported, even after shutting down. I can still open programs on my desktop. I have a AMD Athlon 1.11 ghz with 256 md ddr ram and have lots of memory. I am using windows xp pro 5.0. Should i reinstall or reformat. Also is their any way i can save all this info currently on my computer if i do either. Also how do defragment in safe mode?
thanks
bill

 

Run scandisk and defrag. You can run defrag from start ,run, defrag; either normally or in safe mode.

Tell us specifically what the error message says.

 

Bill, to run scandisk and defrag in Safe Mode, press F8 after the beep when you restart the computer. If it doesn't work, try again. You should see a menu pop up that ask if you want to run Windows normally, in safe mode, in safe mode with network support, etc etc etc. You get the idea. If you have a boot menu (I doubt you do), you can just wait until you see it and press F8. But for the most part, you need to press the F8 key just before you see the Windows splash screen.

Definitely run scandisk and defrag from safe mode, that may help. But, as Chris mentioned, tell us about the errors you are getting, and maybe we can help with that too.

Good luck!