Gateway GT5240E pc no screen?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by mikehende, Jun 19, 2010.

  1. mikehende

    mikehende Private E-2

    This Gateway pc powers on, fan is running very high I think and no screen, I disconnected HDD and Optical drive, reseated Ram, same problem, help? Other problem is as soon as I plug in power cord, pc turns on without myself having to press the power button on the front of unit as normal
     
  2. GCWesq

    GCWesq MajorGeek

    Are you collecting broken down computers? :)
    Do you get a POST beep on booting (with or without HDD)?
    Does it turn off when you press the Power button, or do you have to turn it off at the wall outlet?
    I'm just wondering if there's a problem with the power switch, and that's upsetting everything else.
     
  3. mikehende

    mikehende Private E-2

    No, these 2 pc's belong to a friend of mine. Yes, it powers off when power button is pressed, I took off ram, no beeps. Strange though, I don't see a light on on the mobo, also, with the power supply plugged in, there are still 4 slots empty on the mobo's connector, I can't see any reason why the factory would make a system where the PSU connector is 4 holes or slots short of the mobo's power connector? In other words, the mobo power connector has 24 holes and the PSU connector has only 20 plugs or whatever you call it so it's 4 plugs short of the mobo connector.
     
  4. GCWesq

    GCWesq MajorGeek

    Getting very suspicious here. Do you know anything about the history of this PC? Could it have the wrong sort of power supply? Has it ever been changed?
    There should be lots of beeping if you try to start it up without RAM.
     
  5. mikehende

    mikehende Private E-2

    I have no idea, I guess I will have to call Gateway to find out about the PSU issue, I am guessing the mobo is dead also?
     
  6. GCWesq

    GCWesq MajorGeek

    Dead MOBO might be the problem, but there are other possibilities.
    This might be of interest:

    Is it plugged into the right holes (maybe it only goes one way, but you should check)?
    Is there an additional 4-pin plug for extra power?
    Is there enough power for the PC?
     
  7. mikehende

    mikehende Private E-2

    There is no extra 4 pin plug. The PSU only goes in one way so your reference regarding the 20 vs 24 pin issue explains that. I think the mobo is dead but how can I tell for sure?
     
  8. GCWesq

    GCWesq MajorGeek

    Best way is to remove everything not needed for a POST and try it. Remove RAM, CPU, etc. You should still get a signal on the monitor.
    Before that, try resetting the CMOS. You can do this by removing the CMOS battery (a flat battery on the motherboard about 2 cm or three quarters of an inch in diameter - turn the power off AT THE SWITCH FIRST) for about 5 to 10 minutes, then replacing it.
    Or you might be able to find jumpers on the motherboard that say Reset CMOS or Clear CMOS or something like that. You have to change those jumpers - they might tell you how on the motherboard (usually from 1 and 2 to 2 and 3), push the power button once, wait a minute, then change the jumpers back.
    Of course it might be the power supply again, or it might be a dead CMOS battery. Can you try another one?
     
  9. mikehende

    mikehende Private E-2

    resetting the cmos battery didn't help, I don't tried a battery from another pc, same problem.
     
  10. GCWesq

    GCWesq MajorGeek

    Hmmm... Best try checking out the motherboard then, or see if you can try a different power supply.
     
  11. mikehende

    mikehende Private E-2

    tried a different working PSU, same deal so it's either mobo or processor.
     
  12. GCWesq

    GCWesq MajorGeek

    Unlikely to be the processor. A faulty processor shouldn't stop the BIOS booting (with a POST beep).
    Anyway, you can test it by removing the processor. You should still get the beep.
     
  13. mikehende

    mikehende Private E-2

    Well, I think we've narrowed this down to the mobo, thanks for helping me diagnose!
     
  14. GCWesq

    GCWesq MajorGeek

    Glad to help.
    Sorry about outcome.
    I'm not sure I'd jump just yet, though. Someone else seeing this might have some other ideas.
    It did occur to me that the BIOS software might need updating, but I can't see how you could do that if it won't boot.
     

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