Computer 'dies' constantly

[x0lution]

About two weeks ago my computer just died. I couldn't boot into Windows (though I could get into Linux) and tried formatting the windows partition and reinstalling windows, but most of the time i couldn't even reinstall windows (i'd get error messages, and blue screens and everything) and on the few occassions i could get windows to reinstall, i would get constant bluescreens and errors. So i put another motherboard, processor, and video card in it and everything had been going well for the last week or so and it just died yesterday. And again, I can't reinstall Windows. So why might it be doing this? Any ideas anybody might have would be VERY appreciated. Thanks.

PS-
I remember the first blue screen i got (after putting the other mobo,cpu&video in) said something about AU30, which I assume has something to do with my sound card (which is a Diamond Multimedia Monster MX300). Also, the specs on the computer-

Sound- Monster MX300
Modem- USR 56k
RAM- 96MB PC100
CPU- Original: 400MHz AMD K6-2, Replaced w/: 300MHz K62
Video- Original: AGP 16MB RivaTNT, Replaced w/: PCI 16MB RivaTNT
Mobo- Original: FIC PA2013, Replaced w/: Some old mobo (don't know the brand).

Again, thanks for any help.

 

[Bug]

Have you tried using another power supply? Or maybe checking your hard drive for bad sectors? Even if it's a new hd, it could still be bad. 4 out of 12 new computers my co. ordered from Dell have bad hd's.

 

[x0lution]

i forgot to mention in the original post that it did have a new power supply (had to since the first was ATX and the second was a Baby AT). There is not a new hard drive in it, same one I've had for the past couple of years... could it be what's giving out on me?

 

[Bug]

Well, if you've never run a ScanDisk or Norton Disk Doctor on it and you've used it heavily, then it is possible there could be a lot of bad sectors on it. If you run any one of these 2 and no error messages appear, try using another hard drive.

 

[x0lution]

I've run Scandisk on it about once every week or two since i've had the drive, and can't recall it ever giving me any errors.

 

[Yknot]

Sounds like you replaced The Usual Suspects... but one: RAM. At 96MB, you obviously have two sticks of RAM: try running with one, then with the other. (I presume your system can survive a 32MB boot, however unenthusiastically. 8P )

I'd pull the Dialer and Sound card after checking the RAM -- I might even swap out the keyboard and mouse in desperation! If it's your disk, the most dangerous area for intermittent crashes would be the SWAP area, right? In Win98 you could turn off swapping for a bit.

Best of Luck!

 

[Usul]

Other than RAM, what is common to the two sisems?
Nothing, right?
Try to comple the linux kernel. If it crashes in the first half, my bet it's the RAM