What is wrong with this PC?

[Hi Ho]

My other computer is not working right. I have no clue what is wrong and I have no idea how to make it work. I have never seen anything like it. Here is a list of what's wrong with it.

- It will not run any 3D programs.

- The Direct3D test in DXDiag causes the system to reboot instantly.

- When I start any game more advanced than Age Of Empires or Roller Coaster Tycoon the CPU utilization goes to 100% and stays there. The games do not run.

- When I attempt to boot from the Windows XP CD I get an error saying "The (insert file name here) is corrupt. Setup will now exit." The file name is different every time. If I don't get the error it will just sit with a blank screen and the hard drive light on for as long as I let it.

Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? How can I reinstall Windows? I'm at a total loss and I'm very frustrated with this thing. It was working fine before the old hard drive died and I had to install Windows again.

System Specs:

Epox EP-MVP3C Mother Board
AMD K-6 533MHz CPU
20 GB 5400 RPM Maxtor Hard Drive
40x Acer CD-ROM
Cable Modem
MSI GeForce 2 MX 440 W/64mb
256mb PC133 SDRAM
Windows XP Home
Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse
Arcus 17in Monitor
Sound Blaster PCI Sound Card
Enlight 250 W Power Supply

[DonVito]

when you reinstalled windows did you completly reintall. did it clear your hard drive and everything

[DonVito]

also, will it boot and run in safe mode? you could try intalling windows that way

[doctorgonzo]

If I had reached the frustration point of troubleshooting, I'd zero-fill the drive and try to reinstall Windows after that.

EDIT: AMD_freak, please use the "Edit" button on your post instead of posting twice in a row, if you have some more information to add.

[Snod Blatter]

Any swollen/leaking capacitors? That would be a good place to start on such a motherboard...

Erm, tried running the hard drive in PIO mode or something?
What condition is the PSU in? A faulty PSU can cause all kinds of weird problems.

[Hi Ho]

I tried PIO mode. It didn't work.

You can't reinstall Windows in safe mode. The PC boots fine anyway. I can browse the web with no problems.

There are no bad capacitors as far as I can see.

The PSU seems to be fine. The voltages are dead on.

I think I will try at least a reformat with the Maxtor diagnostics tool.

[Panama Red]

AMD freak, I realize you're new here so I'm going to suggest you reread the Forum Rules. I deleted you post that contributed nothing to solving the problem. Keep in mind this is a HELP form, not a chat room where attempts at humor might be accepted.

------------------moderator------------------------------

Also, you don't install windows from Safe Mode. You boot from the XP CD.

[Hi Ho]

I zero filled the drive with Powermax. I have reinstalled Windows and I'm almost done installing all the updates. I'll post back when I know whether or not it works.

EDIT: It does NOT work. It must be a hardware problem. I'm guessing it's the PSU. I installed the old video card from the PC in my signature (GeForce 4Ti 4800) to see if it would work (put the GF 2 back in) a while back and I think that pushed the power supply over the limits. I guess it's time for a new one.

[Hi Ho]

I think I will get THIS Fortron PSU. Any doubts about that model? Is it quiet?

Before I order anything I am going to put the Enlight 360w from this PC in that one and see if the PSU is the problem. Would a weak PSU cause slow performance? I wouldn't think so but even after zero filling the hard drive and reinstalling everything games still cause the CPU usage to jump to 100%.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Hi Ho I think I will get THIS Fortron PSU. Any doubts about that model? Is it quiet?

If it's anything like the Sparkle Power PSUs it's not going to be that quiet. They tend to use high RPM fans in their PSUs to really keep the insides cool. My Sparkle Power 235 watt PSU was pretty noisy until I swapped out the original fan with a Panaflo L1A.

Cricket

[Hi Ho]

OK, I have done all the troubleshooting I can think of. Here is what I did tonight:

1. I swapped PSU's putting the Enlight 360w in the other PC. That did not solve the problem.

2. I siwtched video cards putting the GF 4Ti 4800se in the other PC in place of the DF 2 MX 400. It did not make a difference.

3. I tried the RAM sticks one at a time. It did not make a difference.

So, all of the problems I talked about in my original post except for the Windows setup error still hold true after a fresh install of XP on a zero filled drive and all three things I just listed. I am stuck. The only thing left is the motherboard. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

If I need a new motherboard that means new RAM, PSU, and CPU as well. That's getting a little pricey.

[austin1]

not true, you do not need new ram,psu,cpu ect for new components just buy a new motherboard that has the same features as the one now and you can reuse the rest if it all works. (make sure its the same socket)

[Hi Ho]

The motherboard is a socket 7. You can't buy them anymore. It also uses PC133 RAM which is pretty much obsolete. It would be a better bet to simply upgrade to a socket 754 system. However, that puts me in a dilema. That would make that PC more advanced than my main one. Maybe it would be a better idea to upgrade the main one (in my signature) and move those parts to the other one?

[glc]

Got 20 bucks to try something?

http://store.yahoo.com/justdeals/p5a.html

Your processor is supported.

[Hi Ho]

Thanks for the suggestion GLC. I might try that. However, I will most likely go with a major upgrade because I have never been happy with the performance of the K6-2 even when browsing the web. It's extremely slow. That PC can't even play music or sound of any kind with decent results.