wrote:
update:
I just tried turning it on one more time, it again booted to windows,
but when it crashed the screen turned blank, the processor fan was
blowing and the indicator lights were still glowing.


Sounds like it is overheating. Does the machine have a BIOS ?
Does the BIOS have a hardware monitor page ? What temps are
listed in there ? Are any of the temps climbing, while the
thing is just sitting in the BIOS ? Does the fan sound abnormal,
in terms of its behavior from the time you turn it on ? If the
vents or air path were blocked with dust or hair, it might not
be getting cooled properly.

Paul