PC/Network Problem: Can PC Power Supply Be A Factor?

[MigraineManRedux]

Case in point. I have a PC at home, 300w PS, running a Duron 600 on an MSI K7T Pro 2 M/B. GeForce video card, Netgear NIC card, Live! audio card, and a single hard drive and CD-ROM. That's it. Shouldn't be a problem.

PC, however, will occasionally allow me to see the other PCs on my home network via my DSL router (not wireless), and only access selected websites on the Internet. I can see MSN, Yahoo, etc. but not Microsoft, Gamespot, etc. I cannot access Microsoft Update, or Symantec to download virus updates. Sometimes, accessing links within a website I can see is not allowed. It is almost as if the length of the URL affects the ability of the PC to go to those sites. The messages I get are the usual Page Cannot Be Found msgs. The browser is updated to 128-bit security.

What have I done to solve the problem?

- Confirmed the PC is network configured in the OS like the other PCs on my network.
- I've tested the net cable connecting to the PC. Works on the other PCs.
- I've tested the port on the router with other PCs. No problem.
- Reinstalled 98SE several times, all from a clean, formatted hard drive, and reinstalled new drivers for the NIC, etc.
- Installed ME on a clean, formatted hard drive. Installed new drivers.
- Disconnected the CD-ROM in case there was a hardware conflict with that.
- Swapped the NIC card with another one. Installed the new drivers.
- Swapped the GeForce video card with a TNT2 card.
- Removed the audio card and tried it.
- Here is the kicker - I swapped the motherboard with the Abit KT7A-RAID motherboard with a 1.33 GHz CPU and did most of the above all over again, to no avail

The only thing I haven't done is swap hard drives and the power supply. I doubt the hard drive is causing this. Essentially, I am thinking that the power supply is the culprit. It is new, but that doesn't mean it works. I would assume, however, that I would have more obvious indications of a power supply problem than network problems.

I'd hate to get a new P/S just to see if it helps, or cannabalize a P/S from another PC, if my assumption is incorrect.

Anyone have any ideas? Should I just throw the damned thing out the window?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[JackMDS]

I have the feeling that 95% of your attempts as well as the power supply idea do not relate to your problem.

Start first with connecting this computer by it self directly to the DSL modem, and make it Internet capable (to not forget to set the DSL authentication correctly).

 

[MigraineManRedux]

Thanks for the reply! Did what you suggested. I had thought I tried that before, but nevertheless, I was able to connect to the internet just fine doing that

But going back to the previous configuration results in the same problem, again replicating the settings my other PCs are using. BTW, I am using the Linksys BEFSR412 (4-port router) with the 1.42.7 BIOS (the latest). I have a static IP assigned to the router, and all PCs are using DHCP. I have two other PCs (XP Pro and 98SE) both working fine off the router. The problem occurs whether the other PCs are running or not.

So, at the moment, I can ping the router and see the home network. I can also access several websites, such as Google and Yahoo. Still cannot access most websites, including Microsoft Update, etc. Just as before.

What should I check next, and thanks for the help!

 

[MigraineManRedux]

Well, after a number of tweaks and things, the PC is finally working as it should. I'm afraid to even move the damn thing out of the room. Thanks for the help... Fingers crossed whatever I did will stick.