KT6 Delta stability and performance problems

Question

Hi all!
My brother and I recently assembled my new computer. Since then I’ve been experiencing two problems that really bug me. I’m no expert at this stuff so if you guys need more info from me to try to help, just say so!
Problem 1:
The optimum setting for my processor is a CPU FSB Clock of 166 Mhz, but I’m only able to reach 160 Mhz. 161-163 will work but is extremely unstable. 164-166 will cause Windows to dump to a blue screen and reboot.
I’ve seen that other people on this board have had similar problems. Note that I’ve set CPU Ratio to Auto and SDRAM Timing to SPD. What could be causing the problem? Could a simple BIOS update help (I’m running the one that was delivered with the motherboard)? How about clearing CMOS?
Problem 2:
Maybe due to the above problem, I’m also having stability problems when I do get into Windows. On some days it’s fine, other days it’s a mess.
All of a sudden, while surfing the net or gaming, the computer will dump to a blue screen with the info that Windows has been shut down to prevent further damage to the system. One of two error messages will be displayed:
“A thread tried to release a resource it did not own” (more common message) or “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL” (less common).
The computer will then reboot automatically. It’s really hard to specify when this happens: it could come at any time.
The system I have is the following:
KT6 Delta (MS-6590) motherboard
AMD Athlon XP2500+ (1.833 Ghz)
TwinMOS PC3200 DDR-DIMM (2x256Mb)
Seagate Barracuda 80Gb S-ATA
My old IDE 12 Gb harddrive
PowerColor Radeon 9800 Pro 128Mb
TDK CD-RW (40x/10x/40x)
Windows XP Professional with Sp1
Have any of you had similar problems? I appreciate any help I can get!!!
Regards,
Stefan

Answer 1

judd321: couldn't agree more! Thanx to all the people who post here and try to help out computer illiterate people like myself. Interesting to see that you've had the same problem.
Thought I'd give you an update on my situation. I've done some surfing and gotten some mixed messages. Some say that the included PSU that came with my Chenbro Gaming Bomb (FSP Group 350W, delivers 28A at +3,3V, 30A at +5v and 16A at 12V) is plenty to power a system with my specs. Others, like the good people on this board, claim that 350W just won't cut it.
I've just invested in an Aspire 520W (looks creepy and mod-ish). The dealer claimed that it really does deliver 520W at maximum performance and not just at peak. Before I install it I will try the following just to make sure it's the PSU that's causing me problems:
1) Confirm that I still cannot boot up with CPU Clock at 166Mhz. If all is still the same, Windows won't even start. If I, by the grace of the good Lord, do get my system running at 166, I'll monitor unwanted reboots. If system is stable, fine. If no:
2) I'll start by clearing CMOS, with battery and power cord out for at least 10 minutes. Then enter BIOS and run default settings EXCEPT CPU Clock which I'll set to 166Mhz. I'll try to reboot computer to see if this has done the trick. If yes, great. If no, I'll try the same thing but also set memory speed to 333. If that still doesn't work:  
3) Clear CMOS with power cord disconnected. Unplug unneccesary components like CD-ROM, fan (not heatsink  , floppy drive, any USB devices and my old IDE hard drive. Reboot the computer and set CPU Clock at 166. If the system works, it was definitely the PSU since the absence of the disconnected components will have allocated more power to the connected components. If it doesn't work...does anybody want to buy a pretty decent system that doesn't allow for full processor power and experiences frequent, unwanted reboots?  
I'll let you know how things work out!