Need your help bad on this one!

[CompWizard]

I'm working on a ACER Aspire with a k6II 266mhz processor, 32mb ram, 4 gig seagate hd, onboard video. The guy had tried to reinstall windows and it didnt' go smoothly. I proceeded to fdisk/format/reinstall or so I thought. Everytime I went to format the drive, the whole computer locked up at different intervals of formating each time I tried. So I took the drive out and threw it into another system and woila, the damn thing formats. So I throw the drive back in to ACER and proceed to install windows and what the hell it locks up at different times when I'm trying to install windows. What the hell would cause frequent lock ups in dos and am I ever going to leave ACER HELL.

[bassman]

Hey Comp,
First off, lets take a DEEP breath and think about whats working in this machine at the times it locks. CPU, RAM, Power supply, MOBO
You say it locks at different times of the formatting and installation. I am guessing that means at different lengths of time the machine is actualy ON so heat may or maynot be an issue. You should start by testing for high temps.
My next guess is an intermittant problem due to the lack of consistancy in timing. I may be wrong with this but, that should rule out CPU.They are either ON or OFF. You should try different RAM and see if that clears it up.
If still no joy, then you might check for mobo shorts.
Trying to think of the simple, non-costly things first. Hope this helps. Trust me, I know how frustrating these little beasts can be http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
If I tell you to think for yourself, then you're not doing it.
.
.
This is not directed at those asking questions in order to gain knowledge. That shows you are thinking.

[mjc]

Is the Acer overclocked?

If so try resetting it to default speeds, it may run OK when it has an OS but when installing errors may creep in...or then again maybe that is why things did go to well the first time.

------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Gun Control...hitting what you aim at!

[CompWizard]

Thank you guys, i ran home over lunch and what do you know the damn heatsink/fan on the processor was so clogged with dust it wasn't spinning. A little air and I rebooted and install was a sucess. I've been doing this for 3 yrs now and never came across anything like that before. I guess you live and learn.