newbie problem please help

[wigan]

hi, i have been given a computer that i want to get working i have med level knowledge.
firstly the motherboard is a epox ep-4pead running a intel 2.4 and 1g ram the person who gave it me said it kept turning off and he took the hard drive out and gave it to me.
i have put a small 8g drive that i had lying around that has 98 on and when you turn the comp on all i get to is the 98 screen then a black screen with flashing cursor.
i have put my xp disc in and booted from the cd when it gets to the "do you want to format c drive and i press enter the computer shuts off.
there is a code display on the board that is displaying FF.
can anyone think of the problem and what to try ? thanks in advance

 

[FlightSimBoy]

Do you have the mobo manual? I can't seem to find the diagnostic codes on Google. If it has a Medallion BIOS, then FF has something to do with booting up, but there was no complete description (http://www.phoenix.com/NR/rdonlyres/0835996A-6694-4F6D-8243-1030EE040D92/0/postcode.pdf)

 

[Atomic Rooster]

The FF code usually means that the motherboard has posted normally.

You may have either a bad stick or two of memory or even a bad power supply. Would you happen to have another known good power supply you could try in this machine?

 

[wigan]

i have another computer but its a p3 so not sure if its the same supply or not will have to have a look. i will also see if i can find the manual on the net

 

[Remeniz]

Is it an old computer?

 

[ace777]

p3 were like the 900mhz to 1.9 or so era so it is a little i guess.

 

[wigan]

so can a p3 powre supply be attatched to a p4 for a test only ?

 

[Prodigy146]

i dont think so, arent p3 power supply's 20 pin?

 

[ace777]

mostly some of the later models have a 24 if im not mistaken just make sure the psu fits the board all psus will work if the pins line up properly.

 

[wigan]

ok will have a look just dont wanna go buying one if i will end up throwing the whole thing away