System stops at Gateway "splash" screen on bootup

[RICHINMINN]

A neighbor lady has a problem with her PC in that when she tries to boot the system (Gateway K7-700 w/ 700-MHz Athlon) the Gateway logo comes on the screen and that's all that happens. There is no memory check, no chance to get into the BIOS, no floppy read, nothing! I thought I'd try resetting the CMOS, but this has to be done within the BIOS setup. I can't reflash the BIOS, since there is no attempt made to read a floppy.

How do I troubleshoot this for her? Any clues?

 

[ski]

Make sure the video card is fully seated.
If that's ok, then try a different video card.

 

[RICHINMINN]

I've already reseated the CPU, memory, and all of the cards. I'll try a different video card in it tonight.

Thanks!

Rich (in Minn.)

 

[bcastner]

Fans all running, including power supply fan?

You are not getting POST from the processor, either due to a processor failure, the fan on the processor heat sink has failed or is not connected, or the power supply has issues.

Try to see if you can get it to POST without just a video board and the hard disk drive connected.

 

[bcastner]

"without just" meant to write "with just"

 

[Kocky]

What kind of pci cards are installed. Try disconnecting all peripheral devices like scanner, printer etc. and remove all pci cards and just leave the videocard in there.
Now reboot and see if it loads the OS.
After that add one piece of hardware at a time until you discover where it hangs. Propably a driver issue.

 

[ImpetusEra]

Reseat everything including RAM. I believe delete is the key to access bios. Try tapping that right as you turn the system on. There should be a jumper on the motherboard to reset the bios to defaults. Check the Gateway Support site, it's most likely there.

 

[TekTippy4U]

F1 to enter BIOS setup usually on Gateway.......
Tab Key to display System messages....
Try hitting these keys on startup anyway

I've seen these kinds of things happen on a PC using ACPI with sleep mode/etc....

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[John Lewis]

Sounds to me like the Gateway Virus. Installed on every gateway just before it leaves the plant . . . .

Note that the above is not to be taken seriously (although it would explain why I groan every time I answer the phone and the person on the other end says the "G" word).

Serious part though . . . Sounds to me like getting to the bois setup is a good place to start. Gateway uses a variety of BIOS sets, which means there are several different keys that may trigger the BIOS setup. I see DEL mentioned as well as F1. Some of the G#%^@#* machines use a Pheonix BIOS, whic requires F2, so add that to the list to try.

If all else fails, get a specific model / serial number and head to

http://www.gateway.com

, click support and plug those in when asked. Search support docs from there for 'bios setup'. Might get the proper key sequence.

 

[Kocky]

Looks like someone doesn't like gateway...

 

[ImpetusEra]

I haven't used much of the newer Gateways but the ones from the mid 90's were real stable. I personally am not a fan of Compaq. I don't find them stable or easy to work on as too much is crammed into too small of a case. Every has their own opinion though.