> However I'm unable to run any additional tests as I'm now lucky if the
> computer boots past whatever the part of booting that allows you into BIOS
> is called, let alone completing an operating system start up (this goes for
> LiveCD's as well).
Ok, if you can't even press DEL to get into the BIOS, the motherboard is
seriously stuffed. As pointed out, an insufficient power supply could
also cause the same symptoms. Try with a different power supply on that
mobo, then retire one of the two permanently.
Sometimes I can, with enough reboots, however I have also had it crash while I was in BIOS.
Careful: the other power supply has to match the mobo. With bulk Asian
computer hardware, that has always been the case. However, some dipshit
at one big American computer assembler (like Dell, Compaq, though I
don't recall who) decided to use the same power supply/mobo plugs with a
different pinout in their own brand of computers. Mixing one of those
supplies/mobos with a standard one will invariably let the smoke out.
Late 90s vintage I think.
That's handy to know, cheers.
--Slosh
