I put this computer a few days ago and I installed win98se. In fact, I made two computers with almost the exact same hardware and installed win98se on both computer. One of them run nice and smooth, but the other one crashes at random places... a lot... It crashes (not everytime, but often enough) when I copy CDs, when I unzip files, when I install programs, when I transfer files, and when I download files. I changed the HD (which was broken to start with...=.=... but I reinstalled windows afterwards...), changed the motherboard, changed the IDE cables, and changed my CDRW (dont ask why...) Anyway... the computer still crashes alot and doesnt like to listen to me...-_-~ Anyone can tell me whats going on??? Hardware... Athlon XP 2400+ MSI K7N2 mainboard 512 MB DDR GeForce... (the one after 4... forgot the name...) 128 mbddr 8X 60GB HD X2 ==> i have two... CDRW DVD Programs... Win98se Office XP Win media 9 Real Player Winamp MSN messenger NOTE: IDE1 connect to 2 HD (p master and p slave) IDE2 connect to CDRW and DVD Bios setting is on optimum I haven't updated any driver Maybe I should just get a hammer and wack the heck out of my computer...-_-"

What kind of errors are you getting when windows crashes? That would kind of help narrow the problem down. One thing you might want to try is system file checker. Put your O.S. CD into your CDROM and click on start/programs/accessories/system tools/system info/ click on tools from up top and choose system file checker. It will scan you system for altered or damaged files and will prompt you for some action if it finds any. Post back and let us know what the error messages are that you are recieveing.

I suspect a bad memory stick.

I have, but am not using an MSI K7T Master (MS-6347) ATX VA Mainboard. The processor I used on it was an AMD 700Mhz Athlon. It worked quite well for about two and a-half years, then it started to become unstable. I replaced the mainboard with one that has an Intel Pentium 4 processor running at 1.8Ghz. I still am not certain what caused the sudden instability. However when I removed the Athlon chip and closely inspected it, I began to suspect that it was the problem. The AMD processors do not have a smooth surface on top of the chip. There is a small, square, chip that looks like metal in the center, with several smaller metal looking bumps on each side of it. This square chip in the center, when new has nice sharp edges. When I began to examine my processor visually, the edges of this center chip appeared to have been burned off in an irregular fashion all around it. I don't know for sure but I strongly suspect that this processor had failed from overheating or something. this may be your problem????? C-ya