ARGH... 8RDA+ system declines, now won't POST

[KnickNut3]

I wrestled with this 8RDA+ system for a month and a half just to get it running, and it ran decently smoothly for about a month, and now it won't post.

The specs:
Epox 8RDA+
AthlonXP 2200+
512MB Crucial PC2100
Geforce 4 MX440
40GB HD
Onboard sound, etc.

First, my father complained of a number of errors with it, "internet wasn't working either," then with it giving BSODs. It was also running more slowly (I don't think it ever ran as fast as it should have). I tried to help, then it started freezing up. Then, as I used failsafe defaults, then tried to run some diagnostics/etc. It was running OK, so I left it on to run, and when I came back to it, it was a black screen, so I shut it off. When he came back today to turn it on, it didn't post.

I suspected RAM before this from the lockups, but he said his floppy drive stopped working too. (AARRGH) So upon seeing this, I took the memory out and popped it into my machine (similar setup) and it didn't post. I was almost glad--at least I knew what it was. However, when I put my (good) memory into his machine, IT STILL WOULDN'T POST. So his memory is bad, and something else in the machine?

The LCD display reads "FF," which it posted last time when I finally figured out the processor was bad. Could the new one have gone bad, too? I don't know how to test it without ripping up this machine for parts over hours upon hours. Something dangerous and time consuming, and I'd like to avoid it. Thanks for additional suggestions--it won't boot barebones or with new memory. I had inclination that the CPU was fried, but I have a good heatsink on there, and it never went above around 52C--I was even underclocking it a bit.

OK, thanks for the help.

[cbuddha42]

mobo could be frying stuff....while ago someone had a mobo that kept frying everything he put in it (think it was on this forum)

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

What size is the power supply in that machine? it should be 350w good quality, 400w if not.

I blew up a cheapo 350w with my 8RDA+ and a 2100@2.16Ghz

[KnickNut3]

Power supply is 350W I think, although it might be 300W. If it is 300W do I definitely need an upgrade? Is there a direct correlation to my current problem?

If in fact the mobo is frying stuff, should I just try RMAing everything (Mobo, RAM, CPU) and start from scratch? If I do that I might as well buy a new case to start over that way too, with a better PSU.

[thegladiatorgy]

This link maybe of some use to you:

http://www.8rdafaq.com/Epox_nForce2/index.php