I recently build a new computer. P4 3.3 Ht. 40Gbyte Seagate ATA133,1 Gbyte memory etc. After installing Win XP pro normally, the drive failed to boot up, or booted halfway and then keept hanging. Well I replaced the drive with a Maxtor 80 Gb, same problem. Another replacement an 80 Gb seagate, again the same. Changed memory, no cure, changed Cpu, no cure. Changed motherbord same problem. Finally in desparation changed the Power supply. Same 500 watt type as before, bingo this cured it. I did test the old supply with with full load and it works perfect. All voltages are ok but I checked with a Cro and you can see momentary voltage drops on the 12 and 5 volt lines. The 3 drives I used all have now bad blocks but are otherwise ok. So in case of similar problems change the supply first before you ruin your drives. Regards
Jurgen
Jurgen