computer troubles....

[NiKeFiDO]

Well I have a Dell 4600 with Northwood 2.8ghz processor
I recently got that Corsair 2x512 ram thats been hanging aroung the Hot Deals Forum, and both times (I RMAed it once) it worked for alittle while then broke (before, memtest86 had no errors, then thousands of errors within seconds). I could tell it broke when the computer froze and went to BSOD.

Anyway, just now winamp stopped working (error everytime i tried to start it) and starcraft went crappy on me (video errors and wierd lag). So i did memtest86, got a lot of errors within seconds, so I know the newly RMAed ram is no good now.

Now, here are current symptons with old good ram (the important part of this post):

1)When i pop my starcraft CD in, it takes forever for the autoplay to show up
2)Winamp will not start up, giving me an error each time (report to MS, dont send blah blah) - even after reinstall
3)Im really pissed that it seems my comp is breaking the ram rather that it being broken from the get-go, with both pairs of ram that I have had....
4)also, just noticed, when i start starcraft, it switches out to desktop (but doesnt crash, i can go back in)


so...could this be wierd stuff like not enough PSU power? or failing HD? My ram should be nice and stable again...

Also, i have winxp home on both harddrives, installed each while other HD was unplugged and the comp seemed to not like me doing that at first, taking longer for BIOS load screen (with dell logo) to go, but that went awat after a few restarts.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

i have sidebar with winamp plugin, but winamp still doesnt work when its not running

 

[NiKeFiDO]

(bump)
I've just discovered that I am the proud owner of a 250-friggin-watt power supply.
Are 2 7200 harddrives, a cd-rw, a 9800pro and that new Corsair ram too much for my 'puter? Oh yeah, using dual screen also (Syncmaster 710T + 15" CRT)
I might have to pick up a sonata


EDIT: direct from dell specs:
Power

DC power supply:

Wattage
250 W

Heat dissipation
853 BTU (fully-loaded computer without monitor)

Voltage
(see the safety instructions in your Owner's Manual for important voltage setting information)
100 to 120 V at 60 Hz; 200 to 240 V at 50 Hz

Backup battery
3-V CR2032 coin cell

 

[The Pentium Guy]

! Just spend $60 on a 380 - 400W antec PSU

 

[NiKeFiDO]

think this not-so-good psu is the problem though?

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Could very well be. Do you have any other PSUs to use as a test?
Edit: This is the PSU I was talking about - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103935

 

[NiKeFiDO]

nope, i dont. Im thinking about starting a new buid soon but cant really spend the money yet, gotta save this summer
which is why i might get a new case to eventually build a new comp in

 

[theMan]

definately the psu, you just have to decide what you want to do about it. just put in your old sticks, and save up for a new compy.

 

[NiKeFiDO]

yes, i will get a case IF i can verify the Dell motherbaord will be able to fit into it (thanks to dell and their chaning things, like screw holes)