Hi guys i have an old dell running win2k. The case was in bad shape so I desided to switch it into a spare case. The computer worked fine before the switch. I switched everything over including the power supply. Everything seemed to go just fine and windows boots fine however as soon as I get the the logon screen it freezes. I reset the computer same problem. I reset again and everything seems fine. The computer ran just fine for about an hour. The next day I boot up same problem. I reinstall 2k same problem. I scan hd with hd diagnostic tool no errors found. I wipe the hd back to all 0's and reinstall win2k again. Same problem. I put in a spare 40 gig hd and reinstalled win2k same problem. Anyone have any idea whats wrong? I've swapped cases in old computers before and never had this happen. Do u guys think I damaged some hardware? I checked all the connections and they are fine. I stumped.

The first thing I would look at is the memory sticks to see if they are seated properly. If there are more than one, test them individually. If and when you finally get to the desktop, check the event viewer. Start, run, eventvwr.msc press enter.

Thanks for the quick reply. I checked the memory and it looked to be in there fine. I took both out put them back in and same problem. I took one out then the other still froze. Next time I get into Windows(if i do) ill run the command. Any other ideas?

Another thing would be to disconnet the CDROM, printer, floppy, if there is one and anything else other than the HD. Besides that, a bad ground keeps popping into my head for some reason.

Sorry for being a newb but what do you mean bad ground? I remeber there was a metal bar on the motherboard that I removed thinking it was part of the mounting bracket from the other case. It's the only thing I can think of thats removed thats not actually part old case. Could it possibly be part of the problem?

Yes, in electricity a circuit has to be completed. The ground is part of that completion. A metal bracket or a wire going to a mounting bolt are two ways to make a ground. If you're in a house, go in the cellar and look at the water pipe. You'll see a wire clamped to the pipe, near the panel box. That is a ground.

Actually that is bonding not a ground. Bonding is where you tie things like gas and water lines to a ground so someone doesn't get electrocuted by lightening striking nearby/electical short of attached equipment. Attaching to a water pipe 50 years ago was considered a ground but now [due to the usage of plastic pipe/higher standards] you need two ground rods 10' apart 10' in the ground with #4 copper wire to them and the service panel. The mainboard may have a hairline crack that became more apparent with the move. Or you just need to reseat the cpu and ram. Imagine the power of knowing how to internet search http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Teachin...