New build....intermittant boot errors

I just finished RE-building a box for some friends and have been having the following problem. It is occasionally freezing causing me to re-boot, however it periodically will not RE-boot. It doesn't even POST...the hard drive light illuminates, but it just sits there. I have never seen this before, so I have checked and re-checked the IDE connections. Usually if I disconnect and reconnect the hard drive cable and cold boot, it will work again. This has led me to think maybe the cable was bad so I ordered another one (hasn't come in yet). I am wondering if anyone has any other ideas that I am missing for why this is happening? BTW it is a Win98SE system.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

have you checked that everything is in properly, such as cpu, heatsink/fan, all cables in properly, motherboard battery isnt dead etc

if the problem persists and you can't think of anything else, reset your CMOS by taking out the motherboard battery for about 30 secs. then try booting up.

 

have you ran memtest?

 

No, I haven't. I downloaded it though and will.