In this thread I explained about my computer going kaput.
http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=130332
Thanks to my parents generosity in giving me an extra stick of memory, my computer is fixed! It's crazy that the problem was as simple as switching out the memory stick I am fairly certain that my failing power supply is responsible for the gradual destruction of the old memory stick so along with the working memory stick I am going to put in a new power supply. Thanks to everyone for your advice