w2k no boot reboot

[DVOM]

I've inherited a problem with a w2k machine. When I first got it, it would boot to the desktop and freeze or blue screen memory dump and reboot. Blue screen went by so fast I couldn't read it.

Tested HDD and memory. RAM tested bad so replaced and retested good.

At that point it didn't freeze anymore or blue screen, it just rebooted when reaching the desktop.

Under both these circumstances, I could boot to safe mode and do anything possible in safe mode for as long as needed.

I Ghost imaged the drive to CD and wiped it. Repartitioned and reformatted from NTFS to FAT32 and tried to reinstall w2k. After several blue screens and restarts I finally got w2k loaded. But now it doesn't get any farther than barely starting to display the BIOS then black screens. Message is "Press any key to reboot". It barely gets to displaying the BIOS again and again black screens.

I'm thinking the mobo is shot. (due to not being able to completely display the BIOS) Does anyone have any other thoughts?

TIA

BTW, the only hardware installed is a 40G HDD, a CD-RW, floppy, and vid card.

I've also been told this would be the second replacement ASUS mobo if it is indeed bad.

[ski]

Try starting in Safe mode.
If successful, then do a clean boot to troubleshoot the problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;281770

If you cannot get into Safe mode, then disconnect everything except the power supply, MB, CPU, system speaker, and power-on button, and place the MB on a piece of cardboard.
If you do not hear any beeps, then either the PS, MB, or CPU is bad. Swapping them out is the only way to fine the culprit.

If you hear beeping, then install the memory.
If the beeping sounds are the same, then check the memory and memory slot contacts for anything unusual. If they look tarnished, etc., then try cleaning them with an eraser.
If the contacts look ok, then remove and reinsert the memory a few times.
If still no luck, then insert it different slots.
If that does not work, then try different RAM.

If the beeping sounds are different after inserting the memory, then install the video card. And make sure it's firmly seated in its slot. Sometimes they need a good push to fully seat.
If the beeping sounds the same after installing the video card, then try a different card.

If the beeping stops after installing the video card, then connect each drive one at a time until the problem reoccurs. Then, you should have the cause.