Iv had this problem for a while and its all come back. To start with my pc would short out for no reason when pressing the power button but was not consistant. I then built a new pc thinkng it was my motherboard but after about 10 days it started again cut off when pressed the power button, this happend 2 times and I had to reset my bios to re-boot again. Since then when i pressed the power button it would start up ok but as soon as the cd rom would start spinning up the power would cut out leaving the power light on my tower still on? I took the cd out the cd rom and it got into windows ok i then put a cd in, it span up and had no problems. This is now totaly driving me up the wall. Please Help! This is what iv checked so far. 1) Motherboard 2) Any loose leads or wires that could short 3)motherboard where on studs with clearence. 4)unpluged fan controller. Havent changed the PSU as yet as its new and last one developed same problem and had blown. The components iv kept are sound, graphics, PSU, Fan controller. basicly all except motherboard.

How many watts are the PSU's?

Have a 430w iv got the following on my system using power. 2 HDs 1=60gig 1=80gig Geforec 4 Ti 4200. Audigy Platnum. DVD-/+R CDR-W Sunbeam 4 bus fan controler with 4 fans. cold cathlo light. 3 usb devices Akasa silver mountain 2 HSF XP2800+ clocked at 200fsb 2300mhz.

It certainly looks like a PSU problem. Try checking with a know good PSU and see if that improves the situation. 450W should be enough, providing that the CPU is actually delivering 450W. Not all PSUs are born equal! Stuart

I suspect an intermittent short in the CD drive. I would disconnect the cables and run for a while.

I would go HIGHER on the CPU. 500 watts. I run 400 for my XP2600 with ONE hdd, ONE case fane, DVDROM/CDRW COMBO, and you are runnin ga lot of stuff there. I dunno abotu everyone else, but you have added stuff to a machine that already sucks juice, and 400 is recommended minimum for average Athlon system (350 if you are running almost BAREBONE).

I mean't PSU!!! higher PSU!