...thought it was my Hard Drive. Wrong!

[Mazz]

Hey all and thanks for reading.
A few months ago, I received a hand-me-down custom computer. Its running Windows XP-Pro, and it has always had trouble booting up. The Western Digital 90G hard drive would spool up, and turn off, freezing my computer in the windows load up screen. I would power it off and turn on to the same thing. I do this for approx 15 min and it would finally load up windows normally and I'm on my way. Recently, I found if I turn on the PC and the HD spools off and leave it for about 5 minutes. I come back and restart, it fires right up. Seemed like the Hard Drive needed to warm up and thought it was failing.
- So to the point. I just received a new SeaGate 160GB HD and it is still doing this(spooling on and off...only much quieter now with the new hard drive ). How or what do I need to do to stop this from happening. Is this a connection problem? Guts problem? (see below)
-Any help or suggections are much appreciated. (thanks for reading this far)
- PC GUTS:
MOBO-> EPOX EP-8R DA+
MEM-> TWIN MOS PC3200 2 sticks of 256
Proc-> Athlon XP 2400+
Graphx-> Nvidia 6600GT
Pwr sup-> Antec 380WT
OS-> Win XP Pro w/ Service Pack 2

 

[Cromewell]

I would lean towards the PSU. Is that the Antec 380W that came with the Sonata case?

 

[Mazz]

I would lean towards the PSU. Is that the Antec 380W that came with the Sonata case?

-Yeah, I think it is. Its an older Sonata(black), with a chrome roll cover for 3 usb ports on the front with 2 blue led's on both side.
...probably the power supply though? What @ New Egg do you reccomend that won't hurt my wallet?
- Thanks for the reply!

 

[Cromewell]

ceewi has a good PSU guide in the PSU section. http://www.computerforum.com/90117-ceewi1s-psu-recommendations.html It's got a good range of units for pretty much any price range

I wouldn't get anything rated lower than what you have already, so look at at least a 380W if not a 420+.