Gateway 702GE computer with Pentium 4 HT chip, 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB Memory, a 16x DVD R/RW, only hardware added was a 512mb ATI Radeon Video card.
I haven't been able to do a full virus scan in like 4 months due to it restarting half way through every time. I reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled the gateway recovery disc and its still restarting, I've stripped the programs down to the bare minimum and have updated all the drivers, and it still is restarting. I've asked people and they've said it could be anything from my power supply to a bad sector on my hard drive or a bad motherboard, PLEASE i beg of you HELP ME! I just can't figure it out and its gotten to the point where i just want to throw it out the window.......
2007-05-18 11:33:49 · 11 answers · asked by Sean 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
It restarted every time when i tried to test for bad sectors the fans seem fine too
2007-05-18 11:48:03 · update #1
Thank you for all your suggestions, I'll review each one thoroughly, One thing to add about it is that it had been restarting randomly before i put the new video card in, the "stock" video card is an integrated 128mb intel extreme
2007-05-18 13:36:07 · update #2
I suspect the ATI Radeon card you just added. Some Radeon video cards require power from an external connector (the Molex connector that is also used to power hard drives). If that is the case, is the external power connected? Is the card properly seated in the AGP slot? These cards consume lots of power! It is not unlikely that the power needs are too much and that the power supply voltage drops. If it drops too much the system shuts off.
Try again with the clunky old video card and see if everything runs fine. Do a full virus scan and spyware scan.
I would not recommend replacing the power supply on this Gateway with a more powerful type. Sometimes the power supplies from Dell or Gateway use proprietary connectors/pin-outs.
Don't feel bad - I had a Radeon 9800 pro 512 MB in a system with a Pentium HT (3 GHz) and I was not able to keep the temperature in the case cool enough. The Pentium HT runs very hot, much hotter than the Conroe (Core Duo) line.
When you build your system with such a powerful graphics card, you usually install a more powerful power supply and use a "thermally advantaged chassis" (enclosure) that has two extra inlets on the left side panel: one with a vent for the CPU and one lower for the graphics card. With a powerful expelling fan, just enough air is sucked in through these vents to keep the inside-case temperature at the right level.
And we're not even talking about overclocking!
2007-05-18 12:25:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure you completely formatted the hard drive when using the gateway recovery disc? If everything didn't get wiped it could still be a virus.
If it is a hardware problem, it could be anything... one simple and common possibility is you just have a bad fan somewhere. Turn off your computer, open the case, and spin the fans with your finger to see if any of them have a little resistance or feel differently. If the case is getting too hot (especially the CPU), it will shut off.
If it was a bad motherboard, chances are it wouldn't start at all. Usually it's the same with a power supply. If you think it may be the hard drive, do a disc scan and see if it finds bad sectors.
2007-05-18 11:43:30 · answer #2 · answered by ~Teresa~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an emachine with XP (actually last week I erased the HD and put on Ubunutu). It gave me the same problems. What happened was the plug in the back kept sparking or something. The computer has been working like garbage since the week or so I got it. The plug was loose and to this day it still doesnt fit in right. I was also having the blank screen problem. My recommendation is to either (if you have the money) by a nice iMac or Macbook. I have a macbook I have not had one problem since. Otherwise, it may be a wise choice to buy a nice HP or Dell or even Acer. I don't trust eMachine products.
2016-05-17 04:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is a hardware issue. has this been since the new video card? the video card can draw too much power through the 12 volt rail and causing the power supply to shut down to prevent overheating damage. check the box the video card came in for minimum power supply wattage, and make sure you have enough juice.
2007-05-18 11:51:54 · answer #4 · answered by medic391 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Over heating or your power-supply is not powerful enough ti drive the new video card
2007-05-18 11:37:25 · answer #5 · answered by Cupcake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a close look at the capacitors on the motherboard, if any of them are leaking or starting to swell up on the ends, you will have found the problem.
2007-05-19 08:31:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every one of these suggestions are worth trying. These kinds of problems are a real pain.
2007-05-18 12:35:28 · answer #7 · answered by Neil L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
forget all that other stuff. replace your power supply. get a 500 watt and you should be fine. end of story.
2007-05-18 12:00:13 · answer #8 · answered by Craig 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be heating up check fans
try this
choose safe mode first
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
f 8
computers what a world
i would try
1 - turn on monitor
2 - turn on computer
3 - constantly tap f8 - located at top of your key board
4 - when new screen comes up - use up and down arrows also on your key board to high light safe mode last know good configuration etc
5 hit enter on key board
5 - windows should start or it will give options on how to start windows
2007-05-18 11:37:55 · answer #9 · answered by Q&A Answer Mans Retired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check your bat make sure its secure in place.
2007-05-18 11:41:37 · answer #10 · answered by kate86 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋