Windows Stop message...computer illiterate here...help!

My dd's desktop computer hasn't been updated since probably around 2003. She has been really using it a lot lately, and installing a lot of computer games like Pet Vet, Fetch, etc. The other night, we got the dreaded blue screen, but it went away after rebooting the computer. Now, it's come back, and I can't even get to windows (xp, home edition) in safe mode. The system just gets hung up. I really dread reformatting the drive because I have some old documents I have never backed up (I never thought dd would "blow up the computer" lol). So, is there anything else I can do?
Here's what the blue screen says under tech info:
Stop -- 0x0000008E (0xc0000005, 0x8060AB13, 0xF6A0B9AC, 0x00000000)
As far as I can get with google is that the first number sequence is Kernel Mode Exception Not Handled. Any advice would be appreciated.

Welcome to Windrivers doddlebugger.

Read the below site.It points out a ram issue.Don't re-install or format yet.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q315335

Have you tried system restore to an earlier date when the problem
didn't occur?See below website.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx

Thanks for the response street1. My problem is that I can't even run Windows at all. I can't get into via safe mode, or any other way. When I turn on the computer, it goes right into Windows, and then before I even can click on anything, it goes to the blue screen. I tried pressing F8 when it first starts, and going into safe mode, but the system just stops in the middle of all the stuff. I thought about checking the inside of the computer but I am so illiterate, I'm not sure what to look for, and even if I did, what would I do with it? Should I find the memory and pull them out and reinstall them? I'm just not sure. Any further advice would be great.

What is the computer manufacturer and model number?

Example:I have a Gateway E4200.

It's a Dell Dimension 8250.

The only thing I see for your model at Dell is ....Dell 32 Bit Diagnostics.

Have you downloaded that and tried the floppy boot disk diagnostics?

I also know you could remove the hard drive from the computer ,jumper
it as slave in another computer ,and save your files before doing a format.

You may need to pay a fee to have this done.If you have no experience
inside a computer that's the only solution.

Do you have a local shop you trust?In my area Best Buy could do this.

Maybe a friend could help you.Most people with experience enjoy helping.

It's like Bubba can't drive past a broke down car.Computer Geeks can't resist
helping with a Computer.

Bubba:A broke down car Geek.LOL

LOL @ street1. My mom is one of those computer geeks, but when I called her, she didn't seem interested in fixing it. However, she came over to my house, and when I showed it to her, it was exactly as you describe -- she's a Bubba too! lol
Thanks for the advice. I will see what she can do.

Moms a Bubba Computer Geek! :grin:

Let us know how it comes out. :wave: :wave: :wave:

You could do a repair install over the top of the existing install - there is a lot more than just the diagnostics available for this machine have a look here