Hmm, PSU was fine (checked with another one I had spare), CPU fine, speaker fine. I'd go with inherently dodgy mobo- kinda like MMM v1, v2, v3; there have been 3 versions of the mobo I have now, im on the v3 version now and its solid as a rock.

Just annoying really, means I have a perfectly good case and psu going spare, but the blasted mobo is toast- depsite the fact it looks perfect with no obvious blown, burnt or missing components... nay worries.

Yep, mobo failures are very rarely visiable. All it takes is a single bad capacitor, diode, scratched data trace or faulty IC to crap out a whole mobo.

Aye, and thats what makes it so tragic and wasteful really. On the plus side, I guess I could dig out said faulty mobo and turn it into a cool piece of art- mount it in a frame (no glass) and stick it on the wall as a momento of my first forray into home-built PCs... :na:

Better idea: Send your old computer over here for a proper send-off :yipi:

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1260061247
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1260061243
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...g?t=1260061311

Got some pics of a motherboard we effectively scattered around here somewhere, but I think you get the point :wink:

I do have a 12ft/lb .177 airrifle, but, I dont think the results would be quite so impressive... :lol:

Yeah, that would just leave little dents. It would punch through PCBs but not as effectively. Best send it to the professionals, especially hard drives if there's "sensitive" information you don't want anyone to have :lol: We specialize in data fragmentation :wink:

Here's my answer to computers who don't behave themselves

[YOUTUBE]wHcgK2z79vM[/YOUTUBE]

I don't get a repair mode with my XP SP2 disc... Maybe it's because I have two partitions?
This is what I get right after the terms:


If you can't read it, it says:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...1206090015.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...1206090015.jpg

To set up windows xp on the selected item, press ENTER. (It wants me to format when I do this)

To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C. (I don't want to partition...)

To delete the selected partition, press D (Oh hell no :D)

from memory that is one step too far.
for me, that screen comes second after you have already selected and option.
it usually says to hit R for repair.

I think the one you're talking about is the repair console/command prompt. I haven't done this in a while, but I think you select the volume which XP is installed on and it will detect that there is a current install and should ask if you want to do a repair install. I did this a few times years ago and on some installs the option wasn't there.

Have you tried booting into Safe Mode? If it is a software problem then booting into Safe Mode should work.

Nope, that's the step right after the EULA Agreement.

As far as safemode, it can't load SPTD.sys, and I tried transferring a new SPTD.sys into the right folder, no go.

Anyone ever try the parallel install?
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsrein...exfullpage.htm

Just with XP Pro? I get that "Install Windows Leaving Files Intact" I think that's what I might try next.....

Hmm, I guess I could fix it, but just don't have the patience to do so.
Left the computer on last night, overnight to backup all my data and such.. Hopefully my brother will bring home a legit (hehe) copy of w7 ultimate or pro for me... Considering they're dirt cheap ($30 for college students) and will just reinstall when he comes home on Thursday.
Til then, slow laptop, be ready...