Random BSOD and trouble installing Windows 7

Well the heading of this thread interested me a lot, but my problem is somewhat different. I had a hell of a time installing Win7. Had to borrow a friends Geforce to finish installation since my ATI card (and I read in many places that the ATI drivers bundled with the win7 installation can cause trouble with HD4850). The installation would go to the final setup screen then BSOD every time. Plugged in the Geforce and voila, I entered windows. I then switched back to the HD4850 and updated the drivers in safe mode. However, the stability was short-lived and I got recurring Power-Kernel critical errors (0x124). So after a week of complete instability and replacing every single driver I could think of, I gave up and went back to XP.
NOW the trouble started. I'm getting random resets and powerouts when running the same WinXP installation I had used before with no problems at all. I would think that a PSU either goes or doesn't, but is it possible that something has reduced its voltage output? I'm pretty worked up about all this, since my computer was 100% stable before I tried Win7, now I can't even revert to XP. I can get into the OS for a few minutes, not even enough time to install chipset drivers. Safe mode just BSODs.

System (all at default settings)
Phenom X4 9750 @ 2.4GHz
2x2GB A-Data DDR2-800mhz
ATI HD4850 gainward ed.
Thermaltake KK400 PSU
Plextor DVDR
WD Raptor 10k 32GB
Seagate 1TB

I would like to see a bigger PSU on that set up (yes you will get away with 400W but a bit more would be better, just my opinion ), and dont use W7 supplied drivers go to Here > http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx and download the CCC & drivers.

I agree with Veedaz. That is allot of power consumption for a 400W supply.

The question is not whether the power supply will push 400W. The question is whether the power supply will stay within specs under a large load. If you are pushing the power supply and dropping out of specs, this can cause side effects with the system.

I have less than half the CPU and Video power you are running. My power supply is a cheap 450W and I am worried about my power if I decided to upgrade.

Ya, I agree a bulkier PSU is called for, and that's my task today. I'll let you know how it goes.

Sidenote: in creating a bootable Win7 floppy in a sleepy state last night I accidentally deleted the partition table of my storage drive with EVERYTHING on it (as easy as typing 'select disk 1' instead of 'select disk 2'). Of course, critical stuff is backed up but there are about 3months of photos I hadn't backup up yet. Argh, this Win7 upgrade has been ferocious.

Have you considered a restoration method to rebuild the partition table?

Well installed a new Thermaltake 600W PSU and still getting random reboots in XP!

Yes, I'm using 'partition table doctor' to recreate my drive, that is if and when I can get into winXP for more than a minute. Argh. The likely culprit is my mobo. F'in Gigabyte MA790x-ds4, been having trouble with it from the get-go. RMAing is such a pain though, gotta wait like a month to get your shit back.

Either way gonna try to get back into Win7 and see if the Kernel-Power critical errors keep popping up. Perhaps something in my comp is causing massive power spikes. One thing I haven't considered is the DVD, but I never have trouble during installations until drivers are involved.

That Sux

Was hoping it was the power supply.

Have you tried reseating the CPU and Memory? Probably won't help but might as well try it.

Ya, did an overnight Memtest86+, then did a Cpu tester crunch for 6hrs or so using a tool in Hiren's Boot 10, forget the name. I've also done full hard disk checks. Unplugging the DVD doesn't help either. Looks like I've got me a mobo RMA on my hands. And I live in China. This should be an experience.

Just out of intrest witch slot are you using for your graphics card ? (see notes)

Your MOBO > http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...ProductID=2695

I'm using the upper slot, the PCIe_16_1 slot. Ya, I looked that up when I first set up my rig. Problem is, if this is a vid. card problem, I don't know how to test it. Any tools? The only video tester in Hiren's boot doesn't load for me.