First, backup NOW, do not wait.
Next, downloadLink Removed or for DOS (CD) if you can burn a CD
Run the diagnostics to be sure it is not a problem with the Hard Drive. Any noise coming from a HDD, clicking, scraping or otherwise odd noise is bad. Constant Spin up/Spin Down is an issue though, not completely common however.
This is probably not a memory related issue,, but it is still good to check.
Run Windows Memory Diags. They should run for no less than 4 to 6 hours up to 8 (when they start hit "t" to run extended tests). One or several passes is not good enough to tell you it is ok if there is no failure. If there is a failure, then the memory is bad.
This could also be caused by flaky software. Check Task Manager...