Computer crashing but weird symptoms

I am running a old emachine model t1742.

The specs are:
1.3ghz celeron
384mb ram
a 4 gigabyte IDE hardrive
a 40 gigabyte IDE hardrive
9200SE on PCI

The computer right now can only run windows ME, when ever i try to install windows xp it will crash when it says installing network. This symptom however did not just start when i was installing windows xp. When i bought the computer on windows xp emachine home edtion, it would run fine. however after running it for a while (2 years) it would crash about 20 seconds after startup screen, i would have to reset multiple times to make it stable( i have no idea how that works). Now it won't even run windows xp and will only run windows ME.

The solutions i have tried is changing harddrives, changing power supply, tested both rams 256 and the 128 for ram failure, reinstall windows (xp does not work, and i have lost the ME disk), removing the video card, and removing the sound card.

when the computer crashes, the screen turns off as if in power saving mode, the harddrive light turns on, not flashing but just on, cpu fan turns off.

If there are any suggestions i'd be more than greatful.

 

have you reset the cmos to default values??

pull on board battery for awhile if there is no 'clear cmos' jumper

 

sorry for the late reply

same symptoms after resetting cmos. I have notice that the when installing windows xp.. the crash occurs during "installing network". i also notice the capacitors around the mother board to be leaky and puffed up.