UPDATE: September 21, 2016
 
Well, I've come down with a bit of a cold today - could feel it creeping up my throat since Monday.
It sucks, but it also postponed my Angiogram which was scheduled for tomorrow morning.
The good news is that now I had some time to work on the computer! 
 

This is the original Q6600 CPU that got pulled out of my "working" computer and swapped with another Q6600, proving (hopefully) that it is the Motherboard at fault.
 

And here is the nice clean stock CPU Cooler mounted with my fancy new Retention Pins from China.
 
Here's a tip: If you are doing a Re & Re on your CPU Cooler, get yourself some new Retention Pins.
I have fought with used ones and ended up breaking half of them because the plastic is brittle from the constant heat they are exposed to.
Those of you who are following this will know I ordered three sets of these pins from China when I couldn't find any at my local computer stores.
For less than $3.00 I got 3 sets of pins, so if I lose or break any, I'll still have plenty left to finish the install. I may even order a couple more sets after this is done just to have some spares in my parts box. There should be a link to the source somewhere in the previous postings - if you can't find it, ask and I'll re-post it.
 
So, tonight I cleaned the gunk off of the CPU and mounted it on the MB. Slapped some Thermal Compound on it and seated the Cooler.
So much easier when you can lay the whole thing flat on the coffee table and don't have to fight all the PSU power cables!
The new Retention Pins were great! Snapped right in perfectly the first time without a hitch.
 
I'm debating about buying a new Hard Drive - I've seen some good deals on Craigslist for some 1TB WD Black drives for $30 - $40, and some other cheaper ones.
I'll think about that and see about contacting these people to see what kind of deal I can work out. I really want to keep this budget down so I can put some money toward a new LGA1151 system.
Just really need something that won't crash every 15 minutes... 
 
 

Thanks for the update looking good

UPDATE: September 23, 2016
 
I managed to pick up a 1TB Seagate HD from Craigslist for $45 (Can$).
Checking it out with SeaTools, it has passed all the tests.
Perhaps overkill, but I'm about half-way through a compete format on the drive.
It's at about 55% done - I'm just hoping the computer doesn't crash... again.
No photos until the formatting is done...
 
I've also cleaned up an older NVidia GF 7300GT video card to install, and I've downloaded the latest drivers for it.
 
Installed the Antec 650 Watt PSU into the case. I'll wait until I get the Hard Drive installed and a few other items before hooking up the wires.
 
Oh, the "new" Seagate 1TB drive is going to get used for data storage just as soon as I can transfer one of the 500GB drives data to it. Then I'll wipe the 500 drive for use as the C drive in the new system.
 

 
 

When you got to install Windows only have the boot drive connected.  
 
Windows will span the installation onto ever HD it finds.  If you ever remove one of the extra HD, Windows will refuse to start.

 
UPDATE: September 24, 2016
 
 

A New-to-me used Seagate 1TB HD from Craigslist $45 Can$
 

One of my old data drives - 500 GB Western Digital Blue
It has had all the data transferred to the Seagate 1TB drive above and has been re-formatted and installed in the Cooler Master case for the Asus P5Q Pro replacement system.
 
The Antec 650 Watt PSU is already installed.
Also installed a generic GF 7300GT NVidia video card. Pretty basic, but will be swapped out for my EVGA GT620 card later.
 
Cool GTX: Interesting info about multiple hard drives when installing MS System 7. I was not aware of that.
My plan is to use only the WD 500 HD to get the system up and running and prove it works properly.
Only then would I start installing extra HD's and other items.
 
After that, I start saving for new hardware to build (probably) an LGA1151 system. I'm still open to suggestions.
Whatever it is, I'll need a MB, CPU & Cooler, and DDR4 RAM, and maybe a new full-tower case to put it all in.
 
 

 
UPDATE: September 24, 2016 - 2
 
Interesting development today...
 
I cleaned up a couple of case fans - one came from the Cooler Master case, and was put back in its location in the rear of the case as an exhaust fan.
A second one came from an Antec case that the MB came from. There was a nice spot for it in the front of the case behind the power switch where it could be an intake fan blowing in on the HD cage.
I had to remove the drive cage to get it into place. Fan has a 3-speed switch on it, but it is quiet enough that I will run it at full speed.
 
Anyway... I was curious as to whether it would power up or not, so after plugging in all the cables, including the HD data and power cables, I turned on the power.
I got the green LED on the MB to light up, but several pushes on the front power button got me nothing. No fans turned on, no case lights, nothing.
Tried the reset button. Nothing.
Got out the meter and started checking for power. Nothing.
S%]$%]#$%! Now what???
 
A couple more presses of the power button and all of a sudden I've got front panel LED lights coming on and fans spinning!
Keep in mind that I have no monitor, keyboard, mouse, or even a system on the HD.
 
Now for the interesting part - Power comes on for about 4 seconds, then goes off for a second or two, then comes back on and seems to remain on.
This was repeatable for about a half dozen tries and seems consistent. See video.
  
https://www.facebook.com/jim.pook/videos/10153919844097514/?l=8353298646070540872
 
Q: Is this normal for a power on - to turn on for 4 seconds, turn off, then turn back on again? 
 
OK, yet another new development...
 
Never mind... turned out the Quick Connector for the front panel connections came loose - all back to the above condition now.
 
Now searching for a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to plug into it to see if I can get the BIOS to come up...
 

Update - September 24, 2016 - 3
 
Well, I'm not sure where I'm at now...
I plugged in a monitor and a keyboard.
I'm not getting any video signal, never mind a BIOS page.
No beep codes either.
Still getting that funny little power on for 4 seconds, power off until the fan stops spinning, then a click and the power comes back full time.
 
This is all making me think that it is the Motherboard.
 
Maybe tomorrow I'll swap the MB out for an Asus P5B board that I have in a box and see if that makes any difference...
 
Get a computer they said. It'll be fun they said...
 

Sushihunter
 Get a computer they said. It'll be fun they said...

Having issues is half the fun.