please help with random flaky crashes/system!!

[chin311]

Ok, heres the rundown, its an HP p4 2.66, 512 pc2100 yada yada.

heres what its doing:
when you turn on the system, sometimes it powers all the way on and normally, sometimes its EXTREMLY slow but eventually gets there, sometimes it hangs @ the welcome screen while loading up, other times before that even.

what i've tried:
1. diff RAM
2. diff PSU
3. diff Harddrive

its very strange, it USUALLY will power right on normally after you unplug the power from the PSU and plug it back in, which makes me believe its something flaky with the mobo?

any ideas? please? thank you veryyyyyyyyy much.

 

[snoturtle]

Heat?
When was the last time the fans were cleaned?

Have anoter board you can try?

 

[furballi]

Try another HDD with a clean install of windows. If PC hangs during boot, then it's probably having problem recognizing a hardware. Could also be software conflict. If it runs okay after boot, then I suspect the temp is not an issue.

Run Memtest to check the RAM. Also retest using a good power supply.

 

[chin311]

Originally posted by: furballi
Try another HDD with a clean install of windows. If PC hangs during boot, then it's probably having problem recognizing a hardware. Could also be software conflict. If it runs okay after boot, then I suspect the temp is not an issue.

Run Memtest to check the RAM. Also retest using a good power supply.

thanks for the help. ive tried to install win xp on a diff harddrive using this system, and it hangs during the install, or before you even really begin the install. and i've tried differnet power supply that i use in my own system that runs fine, as well as a differnt NEW memory chip. all same symptoms with differnet hardware. its not heat because its not dusty at all and its an hp so its been running @ the same temps since day 1.

 

[furballi]

Use new iDE cables at HDD and optical drive. Also try the CS or Master setting at the optical drive. Try another optical drive. Also check to make sure your CD is in good working order.

 

[chin311]

Originally posted by: furballi
Use new iDE cables at HDD and optical drive. Also try the CS or Master setting at the optical drive. Try another optical drive. Also check to make sure your CD is in good working order.

i use the cd on a weekly basis and ill try the new cables anyhow. tried both settings tho.

 

[chin311]

anyone? please?