flat5

It crashes when trying to install Win XP (at 34 minutes) or Ubuntu.

Have removed all components except hd, CD ROM, 1 memory stick, video.
Have tested memory with Memtest (7 passes) and tried another stick anyway.
Have tried another video card.
Floppy controller or cable does have a problem. Tried another floppy drive.
In bios turned off all caching.
Machine does work in DOS mode I believe because Memtest and the beginning of Windows install
works fine.

I believe the mainboard ((Jetway p4xfcu) or the pentium 4 1.18ghz processor has a problem.

Anyone know of a processor test software (free) or some way to decide which might be bad?
I don't have another processor to try. My guess is the mainboard because of the floppy problem -
however the ata controllers are ok. I'm guessing they are on the same chip.

robot_parade

Could be the power supply. That could also explain the problem with the floppy drives. Older power supplies, especially cheap ones, can turn to utter shit and cause all sorts of wierd issues. If you have another compatible power supply, try that.

tooth

You didn't mention testing the hard drive. Have you?

Could you elaborate on the floppy problems?

Do both installs fail after an approximately equal amount of time? Could be a heat issue. Check that your heat sinks are installed properly, and all your fans are running and pushing air where it needs to go.

Jinn

I second the power supply notion. I've had similar issues with faulty PSUs..

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flat5

Thanks for the input!

I believe the hd is ok.
I moved it to another machine to retrieve data and
have repartitioned it with a complete format as part of the XP install.
No hint of a problem.

No obvious heat problem.
Floppy light or motor never went on.
Tried another floppy power connector and drive.
Not another data cable.
Not to concerned about this except that it may indicate more serious MB problems.
Heat does not seem to be a problem and the Memtest ran fine for 3 hours.
XP or Ubuntu install freezes after 2 to 6 minutes, I guess.

Perhaps the power supply has to work harder when installing software than when running Memtest.
Certainly more HD access. A random spike is all it takes to freeze the machine.

I guess I'll go to the trouble of throwing another PS at it.

Thanks again.