Yes they are some signs of potential hardware problems. They are also signs of software and OS problems. I think you need to be a little more specific on what problems you are having and what you have done so far to try to fix them.
my internet is really slow while browsing on one os while its fast on another. (same computer, diffrent hardrives and xp installs.)
it also loses connection after awhile on one version of xp.
upon start up it sometimes doesnt detect either of the hardrives and have to restart.
Trying another HD is the best way to determine if the HD is the culprit. Also try unplugging all of your IDE devices except your boot drive. If Windows boots fine and there is no more probs, then it is another drive.
Your computer shouldn't just die, ever. I've still got some Pentium 1's that have been run almost daily for the last 12 years, and I've never replaced a single part.
Some of your problems sound like it could be spyware related maybe.