Funky computer problem on a new system.

[Scojo]

I'm putting a new computer together for a buddy of mine. When he dials into the internet it will freeze up solid, but it will also do the same thing under MS Word. I've tried changing the OS from WinME to Win2k and it will still do it. The problem last occurred on a fresh install of Win2k after configuring the modem and dialing into his ISP for the first time (before installing any other programs). The modem is a 3Com external 56k that worked fine on his old computer. The current setup is:
1.2ghz AMD T-Bird (266fsb)
Thermoengine
ABIT KT7
256MB Crucial RAM
AMD approved power supply
40GB IBM HDD
Philips Edge soundcard
no NIC
mitsumi 8x4x32
creative 52x cdrom drive

Any ideas on what to try next?

Thanks,

Scojo

[OC]

That it locks up with different OSes implies a hardware problem. Sonce it lock up with Word also, I'd use that as a benckmark of sorts. Remove all unnecessary hardware and check the behavior. Add a single piece of hardware until the problem comes back. That'll be your offending component. Change it out or try a different (updated) driver.

-OC

[Scojo]

The problem was fixed by updating from the second newest BIOS to the very newest release. The system has run like a champ since that one change.

Thanks for the ideas,

Scojo