Power Supply Prob? Need help here big time!

[drakek]

Hi guys, this is pretty complicated but here is my prob. I am trying to put Win2k Pro back on my PC. I cant get through install without getting missing file errors when installing and therefore Win2k wont let me finish install. It seems to occur in roughly the same files everytime. The CDROM itself seems to be having problems spinning up at points where I get missings file errors. I have also tried installing from my CD burner drive and still get errors. I have an original copy of Win2k and have used this CD b4 to install from. To be sure there is nothing wrong with the CD I have installed Win2k on my friends PC and it worked no prob. I also made a copy and still the errors. I have also tried installing on 2 seperate HD's a 20.5G QuantumLM on ATA66 and a WD 1.2G on normal ATA33 with the same probs on both. I put WIN98SE on my machine for the time being and I should point out I had install problems with that as well but it worked.
I recently scanned the drives with the latest patched Norton AV and it found no viruses. I really want to use the Win2k I payed for damnit!
I should note my PC is overclocked all the time in Win98SE but I set it down to normal when I try to install Win2k and it doesnt make a diff it still does the same crap. Win98 peformance overclocked is generally good. It very rarely locks or any BSOD but it does happen occasionally it locks when there is a lot of HD access.

specs:

Cel2 566@850 **except when trying to install**
Abit BE6 ver1
Voodoo3 3500
SB Live
QauntumLM 20.5G ATA66
WD 1.2G on Primary Master
Creative 52X CDROM on Secondary ATA33 Master
HP 8100 on Secondary Slave
3Com 3c905B TX
MS Intellimouse Explorer USB
IBM Rapid Access Keyboard on PS/2
250Watt power supply *bought about 10 months ago*

BTW, What are typical signs a power supply might be going dead? Should I go out and buy a 300Watt or higher power supply?

Thanks in Advance

 

[drakek]

^^^^^
Give it a shot please, save me from win98 hell

 

[kimagurealex]

You sound like you need a montherboard BIOS upgrade.

 

[kimagurealex]

You sound like you need a montherboard BIOS upgrade.

 

[drakek]

I wish it was as simple as a bios update. I have the latest release form Abit. The bios is now dated 06/16/2k.
BTW, I just brought my CDROM and my 1.2G HD over to my budies to try and install Win2k to test the CD, CDROM and the Hard drive for any potential problems. I could install it there with no probs! That eliminates those parts as potential problems.
What the hell is wrong with my PC?
Motherboard chipset going whacky?
CPU going flaky?
Power supply problems?
Cant be memory since I have tried every cobination and only putting in 1 at a time and I still get the stupid file missing errors.
I forgot to put this in my original post, I have:

192MB of pc133 RAM, 1 64MB chip , and 1 128MB chip

If anyone can answer this what are typical symptoms of a power supply thats about to die???

 

[Agamar]

Try this, unplug everything except 1 cdrom, 1 hdd, and the floppy. For the peripherels, leave only the video card. Try your install and tell me what happens then. (I have this same motherboard)

 

[drakek]

Agamar, thanks for the reply.

OK, will try that. I'll post back by tomorrow morning.

 

[Tominator]

Copy the I386 file to a seperate partition. Drag and drop should work fine.
When the installation asks what I386 file to use, choose the one on the harddrive. Default will be the one on the Cdrom.

I think your 250watt PS should be fine.

 

[drakek]

Thanks guys for replying.

OK, heres what I just did. I took out all optional cards and unplugged the case fan in the front of my PC, the fan on my V3 3500 and the CD burner. I can install Win2k with no probs. Thats is good. I figure ok now I will put in my only 2 optional cards (SBLive & 3C905NIC)and I plug my burner back in. Cool everything still works and Win2k finds them and sets them up with basic drivers. Cool!
Then I go and plug in my Case fan and my fan on my V3 card, and wouldnt you know it I get blue screens on boot up. Unplug the fans again and boot up no probs. Seems to me pretty apparent it's a Power supply prob. So it seems the fans are eating up just enough juice to cause problems. They are pretty expensive fans. You wouldnt think they could cause this much of a prob but thats what it seems to be.
If I look in the CMOS settings under chipset features setup my voltage settings point this out.
+5V : +4.75V
+12V : +11.86V
I dont know if these settings are within spec and I do think they fluctuate probably also I do know that the voltage drops when I put on these 2 extra fans.
I guess that explains why the CDROM drives had problems spinning up to speed sometimes too.
I figure its only gonna get worse so I'll get a new PS. Too bad I only had this 250W for about a year now, oh well time to go get a 300W or 350W. I am just glad it is not something more expensive like my motherboard.

Agamar:
Thank you

Tominator:
You are right, a 250W power supply should be alright. I guess mine is a dud.

BTW, I am just happy I had a small drive(1.2G) to test these things out while I didnt have to touch my 20.5G ATA66 drive with Win98SE. Hard drive caddies kits are great. Everyone should have one.
Now I am gonnaback everything up on cd, get the new PS. Format my 20.5 Quantum LM and put Win2k on.

Thanks to all who replied, I appreciate your help.

 

[lenjack]

Your voltages are witin normal tolerance.

 

[spenser]

Hi just wonder but what company made the PS that died on you?