Help with resurrecting a dump computer.

[anxiousinfusion]

After acquiring several trashed machines, I have found one that is the most likely to function. I believe it is somebody's old custom-built machine.

Specs;
1. http://www.asrock.com/mb/SIS/939S56-M/
2. Unidentified AMD Athlon x2
3. Unidentified graphics adapter
4. 2 OCZ DIMMs
5. Antec SL350 PSU

I will be replacing the PSU as it made an unsettling noise just being plugged in (did not try powering on yet). I'm also installing an old 80GB IDE hard drive since the original has been removed. I will only power the machine with 2 DIMMs arranged according to the manual instructions.

Toms, what else should I consider doing to prevent from frying this system (if it isn't already)? Is X Power a bad PSU brand?

 

[anxiousinfusion]

Update: It works. I don't know what chump would toss a machine like this.

 

[drunkducki]

get this. PSU is the only thing you need to worry about.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[anxiousinfusion]

On this machine, trying to install Ubuntu 64 bit goes as normal until I arrive at this screen: http://i.imgur.com/kBfd7IS.jpg . I'm going to try 32 bit but if that doesn't work any thoughts as to the cause?

(DBAN ran successfully and everything else appears normal)

EDIT: For those who may be experiencing a similar issue, the Nvidia 8400GS was incompatible with Ubuntu's default "nouveau" drivers. You need to boot with the "nomodeset" command.