Oh I just found out the problem- it's not a software problem at all. A part of my motherboard is 'burnt'. One of the chips failed and that's why it took a while to start up and keep going.
I'm installing a new motherboard which I got cheap just until I can buy my new computer
Which I really don't want to. The computer that just blew up- it's a Mercedes in the shell of a Honda really It could play all the latest games and what not......it was my baby- I assembled it myself *sniffles*