[RESOLVED] win2k machine doesn't boot-Hardware issue??

[ProfessorU]

Even if the PSU voltages come out right when you test them with the meter, it's impossible to tell for sure unless you test it under load. The meter also doesn't test the quality of the power. Often, dirty (fluctuating voltage) power will cause problems with audio, mostly pops and static.

If the cord coming off the PS is red and black, that should be power, same as any other red and black cable. If it were me, I'd just do some rewiring, but I guess I can't recommend that because you could do damage to your hardware if it's done wrong.

[petflunky]

The CPU doesn't have a fan on it. I has a cowl over it, so the air gets sucked up into the power supply, then vented out the back of the power supply. Both fans are working.

[petflunky]

I'm going to a computer show tomorrow. They usually have Gateways like mine there. Maybe I'll just pick up an entire box.

[petflunky]

Ok, got me another Gateway machine ($65!) PIII 500MHz, CDROM, 13GB HD, 320MB RAM zip drive, sound, ethernet, video. First thing I did was swap Power supplies. My old supply was fine. Put the new power supply into the old Gateway, and it ran for about 5min, then crashed. I got the blue screen again, and then it wouldn't boot. I did get a glance at the message this time. It said something about memory boot, whatever that is. It was so fast I was lucky I caught what I did. I think What I will do for now is set up the new machine (came with win98) and maybe slave my old HD to it to get the data off of it. BTW, they where selling power supplies and MOBOs for $5 each at this show. Maybe I'll go back in a couple weeks to get a new MOBO, so I can have 2 working Gateways.

[petflunky]

UPDATE:

Got a new motherboard this weekend (used). Set me back $5. The machine runs like a top now (I'm using it as a linux box).

Here's the distro I'm using. So far I'm really impressed with it.

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

Thanks for the help everyone