Stuck on Logo

My Gateway computer gets hung up on the "Gateway" Logo. I had it shut off for about 5 days. I just installed a new hard drive about a week ago. It worked great. Then, I came home, after a long weekend, and it will only get to the "Gateway" Logo and stops. Could it be the battery? They system is about 5 yrs old. Windows XP

 

Well to check if it's the battery couldn't you just take out the battery and leave the AC power adapter in? If it does the same thing then it's probably not the battery. Can you boot up in Safe Mode? Have you tried formatting the mbr?

 

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It won't go to the safe mode either. This is a desk top, not a laptop. I was thinking it could be the battery on the mother board. Any idea's?

 

Replace it - CR2032. Boot into BIOS and set to default setup. Also re-detect the HDD and set your clock re:date & time.

 

Does a mobo battery really cause problem like this? I would think it cause a problem when first booting or something like that. I still think it's software related. What do you mean it wont go into Safe Mode? Did you try Safe Mode with command prompt?

 

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As it is booting up, I'm tapping the f8 key and nothing. Just the Gateway Logo.

 

If the computer cannot start in either Normal mode or Safe mode.

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  1. Turn on the computer with the Microsoft® Windows® XP disc in the CD/DVD drive. When prompted to start from the CD, press any key. If you miss the message and arrive at a blinking cursor, restart the computer and try pressing any key again when the message appears.
  
  2. Windows XP Setup prepares to run. If you need to install a third-party SCSI or RAID driver, press the F6 key during startup.
  
  3. The option for an Automated System Recovery appears momentarily.
  
  4. Setup loads the files necessary for the installation, and then starts Windows.
  
  5. Press the R key to run the Recovery Console for Windows XP.
  
  6. Press the number for the corresponding Windows installation for which you know the administrator password.
  
  7. After selecting the appropriate Windows installation, type the administrator password when prompted. (If no password was set, leave it blank and press the <Enter> key)
  
  8. The screen displays a C:\WINDOWS> prompt.
  
  9. Type chkdsk /r (Notice space between k & /) then press the <Enter> key.

See if this fixes any errors and allows you to boot back into Windows. If not post back and we'll dig deeper into the problem..

Yes, a dead battery can cause the Bios not to auto-recognize the hard drive.

 

I'm sorry, but I don't know how to do all that!!!!

 

I just went over to the bad computer, and it was up and running windows. Now, this is scarey! I didn't do anything! Should I just let it run now?
Bob

 

Does this sound like the end of the life of this computer?

 

For me it depends on what I use the computer for. I have lots of old flaky computers but I load some flavor of linux on them and they seem to run smoothly. But I don't think I would keep important data on this computer. Keep as a play around second machine, get a KVM and throw a better OS on it. PLAY AWAY!!!

 

Hello rgn,

Start checking the hard drive.

Chkdsk - use the /r switch:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/chkdsk.mspx

If you run into any problems with chkdsk, then use your HD's OEM supplied disk diagnostic: http://support.mpccorp.com/diagnostics/hard_drive.html

Regards - Charles

 

It's a new WD 120 HHD. I just installed it cause my other one bit the dust. It's being operated on right as we type. To see if I can recover some data.
Thanks, I'll give it a try this evening.
Bob

 

Not necessarily, despite the current situation. Keep doing what you are doing and then follow Charlesvar's next step with a chkdsk /r. Whiskeyman gave you some very good guidance on another way to get there if you have trouble booting to the hard drive.

What I was trying to tell you was to replace the small button type battery on your motherboard. You can get one at Radioshack or a drug store for 2-3 bucks and its most probably a CR 2032. After replacing it, if you tap your delete key during startup (on Gateways, I think its F2) you will gain access to your machine's BIOS. Set it to the default or setup values and set the clock (date and time). You should also find a page in there where your hard drive is listed and be given an opportunity to auto detect it. This may not be necessary but it isn't going to hurt you either. When done, save your settings and exit (usually F 10). You will then automatically proceed to a normal boot screen and system startup.

Now, as long as you are inside your case, you might want to take a good look at the capacitors - they look like minature garbage cans and there will be different sizes. If any of these are bulging or have a convex top or show evidence of any goo oozing from them, your board is on the way out and yes, it may be time for a curtain call. If they are flat - you are probably in good shape re: the motherboard.

Another thing you may want to consider checking is your power supply. Five years is a pretty good life cycle for a PSU, however, it could have another five years left in it. Sometimes they die slowly and sometimes they go all at once. You'll need a special power supply tester ($10-15) to check yours but you can get a decent replacement without breaking the bank. Gateway is another manufacturer that puts in the bare minimum when they build a machine.

I know we've thrown a lot at you - take it slow and go one step at a time. Finding the cause of a problem like yours involves a methodical process of elimination. Let common sense and instinct guide you through this procedure and don't be afraid to ask questions. If there is something you don't understand - do just as you have - ask the questions.

Good Luck.

 

Just an update. I had time to run the WD Diagnostics Tool, that came with the new hard drive. I ran both quick and long version. The drive came out of that as a Pass. It ran for several hours. I'll keep you informed.
Thanks
Bob

 

Something else to consider. While changing drives or moving things in the case, it is easy to dislodge the cables for other drives. Pull out and reseat the cables for the other drives (and also at the motherboard connectors).

In the BIOS settings you will probably find a setting to "Quick Boot" or "Quick POST ". You can set this to No or Disabled. This does depend on having a good battery, because if the battery is low/flat it will keep trying to Quick POST and not load the hardware correctly. I disable Quick POST, but if you have made changes, run full POST and have a good battery and are not going to make any hardware changes for a while, you can set it back to Quick POST, it will then "remember" the hardware configuration and not need to redetect the hardware each boot (that's why it is quick ).

Matt