totally stupid question

C

compchip

New Member
I'm sure the answer to this question is entirely obvious, but I will ask it any way.

It started like this: I plugged in my WINDOWS 98 computer and it turned on as soon as I plugged it in, but it never left stand-by mode and it would not turn off until I unplugged it. Nothing would work, not even the recovery disk would do anything, the screen just stayed blank and the power light yellow(never went green). Now, it won't turn on at all. So, my two stupid questions (yes, there are two of them now) are these: Is the computer shot?

Is there an inexpensive (free-$50) way to fix it?

Thanks for the response, sorry for the stupidity:o.
 
I had similiar problems with a lame ass gateway.

Sounds like the CMOS (thats what i think its called) battery on the mother board.

Its the 3v battery.
 
Yeah, you could try replacing that, if the computer is that old it might be dead and therefore could cause all sorts of funky problems.
 
I wouldn't spend too much money on it like they said before, unless it is a newer computer. Even 50$ "may" solve your problem but is definitly not guaranteed, plus your time. If you are on a budget, try what they suggested, otherwise...

There are no stupid questions......just answers ;)

Cheers,
 
you could probably find one at walmart, just take the one out of your computer, tape it to a peice of paper so you don't lose it, and head to the jewelry counter(i think thats where they keep those batteries)
 
How difficult is the procedure (on a scale of 1-10?) Can information/tutorials be found online on how to do this?

Considering that this computer is about 9 years old, do you think it is even worth the time and expense?

Thanks for all your help!
 
probably a one, all it really involves is finding and locating the battery, removing the battery(its going to be a button cell, like a watch battery), finding an identical battery shouldn't be a problem(walmart should have it), then putting it back in, that could be a $3-6 fix assuming you can find the battery
 
compchip said:
How difficult is the procedure (on a scale of 1-10?) Can information/tutorials be found online on how to do this?

Considering that this computer is about 9 years old, do you think it is even worth the time and expense?

Thanks for all your help!
Click to expand...

0.5 for difficulty. I'll write you a guide right here right now. Do the fix preferably NOT on carpeted ground, but if it is unavoidable and you must do it on carpet, take all of the "touch case to discharge" steps into account and do them

1. Pop the side off your case.

2. Touch the side of your case for a few seconds (any unpainted part). This is to discharge any static.

3. Locate on your motherboard a little round battery looking silver circle. It is pretty darn obvious really, it's the only big round shiny thing there.

4. On the battery you will see a clip or something holding it in. Pull that away or release the mechansm, depends how it is held in, and the battery should pop out.

5. Take note of the type of battery and go buy one.

6. When you have your new battery pop the side off the case again, find your battery hole again, touch the side of your case again. Put the battery in the battery slot, make sure it is the right way :P

7. Done
 
Wow! I had no idea it would be that simple. Thanks, guys, for the instructions. Will give it a try and post an update.
 
UPDATE (finally)!

Ok, I said I would give an update and I meant it. I just got the time to work on my computer and performed the CMOS battery replacement the other day. Replacing it was easy, it was getting to the darn thing that took 2 1/2 hours! The motherboard was literally located beneath everythig else.

The result of the fix? SUCCESS! (well, sort of).

The computer now turns on fine, but now I have a different problem. (actually two)

First, the computer turns on and displays a message saying that the harddrive is not found. This may be the result of my incorrectly putting it back together. Although, I never did anything to the hard drive. It gives me the option to continue without a harddrive so I can live with this bug for now.

Second, (MY MAIN PROBLEM) the computer tells me there is an "invalid boot diskette" and to "insert the boot diskette" The screen stays black with this message displayed and will not allow me to do anything. I have tried inserting a disk marked "system recovery", but it still says the same thing.

Is this "system recovery"disk the boot diskette or is there another disk that I am missing? Should I simply can this thing?

Any help in this up-hill battle is appreciated.

P.S. Big thanks to all the previous posters who helped me with the CMOS battery repair.:good:
 
No sudgestions yet? Hmm...I guess I might have a pretty screwy problem.

One other note: I tried a disk marked "sofware backup" but my computer still displayed "invalid Boot Diskette".......what do they mean by boot diskette?:confused: The closest thing I have that fits that description is the "system recovery disk", but it doesen't do anything. Am I missing a disk or what?:(
 
Ok, first, open the side of the case and locate the hard drive. Then, unhook both cables (power and IDE)blow out the dust (if any) and stick them back in. Next, follow the IDE cable (this is the wide one from your hard drive. You will most likely have one on your optical drive as well) and follow it to the motherboard. Unplug, blow out dust, and re plug. Try it again. This may fix both issues.

If not, then see if the computer will find the hard drive in the bios. If it does, then skip to the next paragraph. If not, then again check the HDD. If still nothing then try a different hard drive. Once you find the the hard or any hard drive in the bios, then proceed to the next step.

You may now need to install a new operating system. To do that, either use the back up disk you have or any other operating system you want to use.
 
Elimin8or said:
Ok, first, open the side of the case and locate the hard drive. Then, unhook both cables (power and IDE)blow out the dust (if any) and stick them back in. Next, follow the IDE cable (this is the wide one from your hard drive. You will most likely have one on your optical drive as well) and follow it to the motherboard. Unplug, blow out dust, and re plug. Try it again. This may fix both issues.

If not, then see if the computer will find the hard drive in the bios. If it does, then skip to the next paragraph. If not, then again check the HDD. If still nothing then try a different hard drive. Once you find the the hard or any hard drive in the bios, then proceed to the next step.

You may now need to install a new operating system. To do that, either use the back up disk you have or any other operating system you want to use.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I will give it a try and post an update. The update might not come for a while since I have to find the time to take the computer apart (then put it back together).

If anyone else has any sudgestions, bear in mind that this is a 10 yr. old Gateway we're talking about
 
I have had a problem similar to that with my Gateway that ran 98 ( still have it to, Runs like a charm, Has XP on it now and was upgraded ) but any how, I replaced the CMOS battery and it was fine after that. Also did a BIOS update... Seam to fix it.
 
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