Dell inspiron 531 (windows XP) keeps shutting down after a few minutes of being turned on. some music was down loaded and the anti-virus software was disabled. It would not enable afterwards. so I uninstalled it and reinstalled it and tried to run it, but the computer keeps cutting off after a few minutes of being on. I have tried running the micrsoft windows malicious software, but it never finishes because the computer will cut off.

SOURCE: Missing Windows XP Product Key-Need to Reinstall/Repair XP

I'm assuming you have quite a lot of computer savvy??? You'll need to access that drive and get the original key off it. Try connecting the drive to another pc and see if you can get to the Windows folder. Once there, use Jellybean Keyfinder to navigate to the Windows folder in that drive and take note of the OS key. From there you can reformat and use the existing key.

SOURCE: Can't factory restore dell inspiron 531 (windows xp).

You might want to try going into setup and setting your boot drive options to DVD drive as your 1st, HD as 2nd and Floppy as 3rd. Put your windows disk in the DVD before boot and run the program from DVD.

SOURCE: STOP: c000021a {Fatal System Error} .. 0xc0000005

The first thing you should do is back up the HDD, Remove the HDD from your Laptop, you find the lid that opens the HDD access slot under the laptop or ask someone who knows how. if available there are aftermarket 2.5 HD enclosures that lets you install the 2.5 in.hdd of your laptop via a usb. you can plug the usb to a desktop PC and backup your files. then reformat your hdd. reinstall the hdd to your laptop. replace your memory ram which causes the blue screen with a new ram, reinstall the OS.

SOURCE: my dell inspiron 531 desktop enters auto detect power save mode

start your computer in safemode and then turn off all power saving features

SOURCE: Dell Inspiron 531 keeps shutting itself off.

if it's overheating, then u should try to put it in a cooler place. : )