Unknown computer problems. Help me diagnost and solve please!

[alphonsus]

Hello. I been having problems with my computer lately and I am unsure of what the problems are. It seems to me like the power supply but even then that probably isn't the case. I have an antec PS that came with my antec case. The PS is rated 330W. I have a GF4 Ti4200., on board sound, another sound card, 2 CD-roms. 1 hard drive(earlier it was 2), soyo kt-333 Ultra platnium with an amd XP 2200 processor. There are lots of problems and I'm not sure how many problems I am encountering but it may be one problem leads to another. Well when I tried it a few weeks ago the computer will shut off automatically and just restart. I was transfering files to another hard drive which drains more engery and the computer would restart. I did notice it occured about 5 times continously when trying to transfer files. How ever the frequent restart could have damaged my hard drive and maybe more. Then I get the MS Blue screen of death while just after loading windows. So I would just do a clean format and install. It seems to work for a little then now its acting up again. OFten I would get messages IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and some other messages. Does anyone know what the problem might be. I mean I had this computer for about 4 months now I just built it my self(maybe the problem to start off with). But now it seems to be acting up more. Its not running right now but can someone give me advice? Antec 330W adequate for my computer? Any ideads on why the computer would just restart automatically and why it keeps on getting the BSOD? Thanks
AL

 

[resinboy]

welcome to Anandtech- stick around, you'll find this an informative place to hang out
Now, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL : this is a real pain in the rear error because it is such a wide ranging general error. It occurs when two devices try to write to the same memory space.
You didn't list your full system specs, but I'll bet you are using a sounblaster live sound card.
If this is the case, remove it, and use your on- board sound for a while- see if this clears up the problem, and post back here.
This error is usually vid card or sound card hardware related, in my experience.

 

[alphonsus]

Thanks for your response. But its not a SB. It an extra sound card that came with the motherboard. Has its own special connection and isnt PCI. I unplugged that too and still doesnt work.

 

[Amputater]

I remember getting this "IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" message alot back when I was using Windows ME about 2 years ago. After I did a clean install to Window 2000, those messages went away. Now I'm on Windows XP and those messages seems to be a thing of the past for me.

 

[Bleep]

Disable com port 2 at the cmos level and see if you still have the prob. If it goes away then try changing the settings of com 2

Bleep