no post on (old) compaq pc

[Quantos]

I think you mean 'Obtuse'.

I'm just wondering who you're referring to, the OP?

[smeezekitty]

yes i know i am anoying
the case is very tightly packed
i had to remove the floppy and hdd to reseat ram
newer psu's are to large
and an outside powersupply would look wacky

[patio]

newer psu's are to large
and an outside powersupply would look wacky

This makes no sense...PSU's have been the same size for 20 years...
Unless you are trying to jam in an ATX PSU into a miniATX slot...

[smeezekitty]

its an abnormal powersupply it is very small
with short wires and also blows air on the heatsink

[Quantos]

A little too abstruse?

Yes, same thing as 'Obtuse', generally taken with geometry applied, but a word with a more current/definable meaning.

[patio]

At any rate you probably need to do a search for miniATX PSU's...
Or buy a new case.

[smeezekitty]

do you sugjest new cmos batt / ram?

[Quantos]

I suggest having someone put a meter to your PSU.  That's a really long time for one to last without issues.

[smeezekitty]

ok but i dont like working on the computer when its on

[Quantos]

ok but i dont like working on the computer when its on

Testing the PSU should be done with it disconnected from the computer.

[patio]

Borrow one you know is good and swap it in there...
Replace the CMOS battery...3 Bucks.
DLoad and run MemTest to check the RAM...

[smeezekitty]

4.99 volts on the 5 volt output
14.2 volts on the 12 volt output

[Quantos]

What about the other connectors?

[smeezekitty]

i have floppy, cdrom, hdd, and mobo
connectors
i tested the hdd
and isnt 14.3 a bit on the high side?
and also the freezeing started on a mem test

[patio]

Then the RAM is bad...and that's probably the issue here.
Replace it.