Weird K7S5A issue

[mboy]

Not sure if it is the mobo or what. Built my old man a a new comp few weeks ago. Here are specs:
K7S5A
XP 1600 (retail HS)
256MB cruciall Pc2100
WD 40gb 7200rpm HD
Antec SX830
100mb old ZIP drive (Iomega)

Loaded WIN2k on there.
After I gave it to him, he started to install all of his programs and crap for his peripherals. He didnt reboot when it asked him to (like it does after you install drivers). Somewhere along the line when he went to reboot and WIN 2K locked up and he couldnt even get into it. NOthing worked, so did a fresh install with him over the phone (lots of fun installing the MOBO drivers)
Anyway, all was fine last 2 weeks, but last nite he calls me and tells me he has the same problem again after uninstalling some CD writing software thru add/remove.
Had to do the fresh install over again (nice after a 1.5 hr commute home for me)

I am not sure if it is related to the MOBO or what, never seen this before and I run WIN2k on both my machines at home (see sig for specs) and have built a few other k&s5a systems.
The one thing that does stick out is the damn zip drive. Upon boot there is always in i/o error and I tracked that particular code down to a problem with ZIP drives in other comuter/mobo configs.
Could it be the ZIP (IDE) that is the root of my troubles with this mobo?
ANy input would be appreciated as he needs it for business and needs it rock stable.

 

[Buz2b]

Chances are good that the MB is not the problem here. According to your post there was some sort of error or warning about I/O, possibly the zip drive and you may be on the right track. No offense meant but it sounds as if your "old man" is tough on computers also. It might be worth it to schedule a reinstall without the zip connected and let him run it for a week or so to see if any problems arise. How is the zip set up in the IDE channels or is it in place of a floppy? Also, what BIOS are you using and what MB drivers. Not many are needed for Win2K.