random computer crashes.

lately, i've been experiencing random computer crashed. i'll turn on a video file, it works fine, then i skip a little bit ahead, and my computer reboots. this happens on some videos, but not all. i've tried reinstalling my media playing software, that didn't work. i don't want to think about reformatting unless it is actually necessary.

can anyone help me troubleshoot this? if you need the error codes, i can get them.

Uncheck the "Automatically restart" option in Start->Control Panel->System->Advanced->Startup and recovery.  Then tell us what the BSOD says.  You are unlikely intelligent enough to use the Event Viewer for this same purpose.

Off the top of my head, here are some likely culprits:

- Bad video codec not related to media playing software, like some hacked versions of Xvid(?).
- Corrupt graphics driver
- Other interfering software.  Try uninstalling ALL codecs and media players, run a registry cleaner like RegSeeker, and reinstall.
- Overtaxed PSU/overheated CPU, but your comp would likely crash under other instances of full load.
- Windows 9x - are you running it?  If you are, delete your system32 folder.  Really, it will let you.
- You - possible solution: Kill yourself.