unable to start or reformat my laptop

monster528

monster528

New Member
i have a gateway M-1625 laptop. when i start the laptop, it starts off normal and then this screen pops up:



then after i press <F1> Continue it goes into this screen:



the only abnormality i found was in the bios, the boot settings always turn to this even after i reset them to defaults:



i already tried using Alt+F10 to try and reformat my computer to factory defaults, but that doesnt even work.

any1 know how to fix this problem? or atleast know the cause?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Duel @ 2.00Ghz
    Memory
    2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon X1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Acer (C:) 228GB
    Data(D:) 227GB
    Internet Speed
    900kbs
monster528 said:
i have a gateway M-1625 laptop. when i start the laptop, it starts off normal and then this screen pops up:



then after i press <F1> Continue it goes into this screen:



the only abnormality i found was in the bios, the boot settings always turn to this even after i reset them to defaults:



i already tried using Alt+F10 to try and reformat my computer to factory defaults, but that doesnt even work.

any1 know how to fix this problem? or atleast know the cause?
Click to expand...
Hello monster528;

There are a couple of possibilities I would suggest to you. Do you know how to reset the BIOS in your laptop? Or set the BIOS to the Default Settings? Does the Gateway web site tell you how to do this? Please let us know if you need assistance with this.

The second possibility to check would be to go the manufacturer's web site of the hard drive in your laptop, download their hard drive utility, boot to it and let it check your hard drive for errors.

Hope this helps!

Cheers!
Robert
 

My Computer

System One

well i cant turn on my laptop at all, so i dont know how i would even begin to run a program that checks for errors. as for resetting my bios, if you mean press F9 in the BIOS menu to set them to default, ive tried that already with no success
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Duel @ 2.00Ghz
    Memory
    2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon X1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Acer (C:) 228GB
    Data(D:) 227GB
    Internet Speed
    900kbs
I'm afraid you need a Technician to sort this one out as it is not recognising hard disks. Therefore there is a malfunction in the Motherboard. Sorry:cry:
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 St
    Motherboard
    Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI
    Memory
    Corsair 4GB Kit (4x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Point Of View 8800GT 512MB GDD
    Sound Card
    Soundmax 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 46"
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1x WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    1x WD Raptor WD740DFD 74GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    PSU
    Coolermaster 600W
    Case
    Coolermaster nVidia
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Extreme
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless Laser mouse 8000
    Internet Speed
    1.2mb & 10mb
Hello iseeuu,
Is there a Vista disk you can borrow from a friend, work/school ?.
If you can get hold of a disk, there is a chance you can fix this, using the repair option.
Here is a link to a tutorial, if you can get a disk, follow it.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html

Good luck and post your results.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor
    300 Gig Maxtor
    300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
monster528 said:
well i cant turn on my laptop at all, so i dont know how i would even begin to run a program that checks for errors. as for resetting my bios, if you mean press F9 in the BIOS menu to set them to default, ive tried that already with no success
Click to expand...
Hello monster528;

Your response is very confusing to me here? If you "cant turn on my laptop at all" ... how did you take the three pictures you posted on imageShack?

BTW I find it immensely easier to add a screen shot to a post using the "paper clip" attachment icon in the "reply window" tool bar, like this:

attach_screen_shot_01V.png

It also makes it much easier to see the full size images without having to go off-site and open additional tabs in my browser. Here is the Vista tutorial on the topic: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/148532-how-use-snipping-tool-vista.html

Also this one from Seven Forums uses the same features as Vista:
How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

So if you were able to start your computer enough to take the pictures you posted, then you should be able to boot to the Hard Drive Utility you download and burn to a bootable CD. These utilities no not need (or want) Windows to load and perform their checks, they need to (and want to) load from the CD. That makes sense really, if you are going to check a hard drive, you do not want the hard drive doing anything except being checked. And if you can start Windows, where is the need to check anything out? Even Windows "CheckDisk" utility requires the computer to reboot so it can run its checks from the computer memory and not from the hard drive.

This picture you posted:

dsci0229r.jpg

indicates to me that the motherboard BIOS cannot communicate correctly with the hard drive. The goofy symbols are there because either the hard drive is failing (or its id info is corrupt) or the motherboard is failing (or the BIOS is corrupt). Resetting the bios may overwrite the corruption. On a desktop computer, we can open the case and use the cmos jumper to reset the BIOS, or remove the little battery with the computer unplugged from any power to do so. On you laptop, you should consult the Gateway web site for specific instructions, but you may be able to unplug the power cord, remove the laptop battery, then unplug or remove the cmos or BIOS battery for 30 seconds or so and force the bios to reset to factory default.

If the hard drive utility does not find the cause, and resetting the BIOS does not correct the issue, then as Trax1963 posted, this is not something a user can fix, and may cost more to fix than just replacing the computer. So I would suggest you try these suggestions to see what you can learn?

Cheers!
Robert
 

My Computer

System One

Try this:

1) Remove HD from Notebook.
2) Boot Notebook,reset BIOS to Default Settings.
3) Reinstall HD.

Report back.
 

My Computer

System One

thanks for all the help so far guys. i tried doing stoneys idea to use the disk to reformat again. the program popped up and everything, but the computer keeps saying im missing huge sections on my hard drive, so i cant even continue to reformat, so that didnt work.

as for the 2 ideas above, im afraid i do not even know how to open up a laptop computer, ive never even tried it cuz it looks like the thing is just gonna die on me lol.

iseeuu, im not sure where i would find the the correct programs to perform these checks. i went to the gateway website and i found some things on BIOS and Hard disk, but they look like updates to me, nothing more
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Duel @ 2.00Ghz
    Memory
    2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon X1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Acer (C:) 228GB
    Data(D:) 227GB
    Internet Speed
    900kbs
monster528 said:
iseeuu, im not sure where i would find the the correct programs to perform these checks. i went to the gateway website and i found some things on BIOS and Hard disk, but they look like updates to me, nothing more
Click to expand...
I understand. You need to find out the brand of the hard drive, either by looking at the hard drive (meaning you would need to take it out of the laptop), or if this is the original hard drive, the specs for you laptop at Gateway might tell you. Then go to that web site ... like Seagate, Maxtor, Western Digital ... and download their hard drive utility. Gateway used to make a hard drive utility available from their web site ... yes they still do: GWSCAN512.EXE - GWSCAN 5.12

GWSCAN is GateWays hard drive checking utility. I have not used it for a while, so I am assuming that if you run the GWSCAN512.EXE, it will help you create a bootable floppy or bootable CD you can then use on your laptop to check the hard drive.

Hope this helps!

Cheers!
Robert
 

My Computer

System One

alright i ran the hard drive diagnostic program. it said that there were no errors with the hard drive. i also removed the hard drive and turned on the laptop, but the same errors occurd
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Duel @ 2.00Ghz
    Memory
    2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon X1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Acer (C:) 228GB
    Data(D:) 227GB
    Internet Speed
    900kbs
monster528 said:
alright i ran the hard drive diagnostic program. it said that there were no errors with the hard drive. i also removed the hard drive and turned on the laptop, but the same errors occurd
Click to expand...
Excellent! That eliminates the hard drive as the cause!

So now we are left with the motherboard, and the BIOS (or cmos). I think what theog was suggesting for you to try, was to remove the hard drive from the laptop, turn the laptop on and open the BIOS menu, (you said) use F9 to reset the bios to default settings (with no hard drive in the computer), then shut the laptop down and put the hard drive back in place. Then when you start the laptop again, the bios will reconnect (rediscover) the laptop and hopefully start Windows.

If not let us know?

Cheers!
Robert
 

My Computer

System One

on one of the pictures it said BCD file was missing/corrupt, so this could be a bootloader problem where the bios carries off to the hdd/os/kernel? you could try to reinstall a bootloader BCD i think right? well if you want GRUB also go to the first link and BCD for the second.

http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=442115

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1R2SUNA_enUS347&q=reinstalling+BCD&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=224351

oh and before trying this, will anyone else approve/disapprove this method/idea, so i know that this is same if this type of error ever happens to me?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Hp pavillion a6110n
    CPU
    amd athlon 64 x2 live! 4400+
    Memory
    4 gigs 3.3 useable
    Graphics Card(s)
    Finally! SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 12
    Monitor(s) Displays
    generic pnp monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    7.2k rpm
    1 linux ubuntu partition
    1 vista partition
    1recovery partition
    1 windows 7 partition
    1linux swap partition
    PSU
    500W, antc earthwatts EA500
    Case
    normal black case
    Cooling
    fans
    Keyboard
    saitek cyborg gaming keyboard
    Mouse
    logitech mouse (small to fit hand perfectly)
    Internet Speed
    dsl
    Other Info
    2.3 ghz amd
iseeuu said:
monster528 said:
alright i ran the hard drive diagnostic program. it said that there were no errors with the hard drive. i also removed the hard drive and turned on the laptop, but the same errors occurd
Click to expand...
Excellent! That eliminates the hard drive as the cause!

So now we are left with the motherboard, and the BIOS (or cmos). I think what theog was suggesting for you to try, was to remove the hard drive from the laptop, turn the laptop on and open the BIOS menu, (you said) use F9 to reset the bios to default settings (with no hard drive in the computer), then shut the laptop down and put the hard drive back in place. Then when you start the laptop again, the bios will reconnect (rediscover) the laptop and hopefully start Windows.

If not let us know?

Cheers!
Robert
Click to expand...

alright i tried this earlier as well. i did exactly as you suggested and still no success. i tried updating the BIOS, but the problem was the burn operation failed. the only instructions it culd give me was to run the program from my desktop, but sadly im unable to get to my desktop
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Duel @ 2.00Ghz
    Memory
    2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon X1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Acer (C:) 228GB
    Data(D:) 227GB
    Internet Speed
    900kbs
monster528 said:
alright i tried this earlier as well. i did exactly as you suggested and still no success. i tried updating the BIOS, but the problem was the burn operation failed. the only instructions it culd give me was to run the program from my desktop, but sadly im unable to get to my desktop
Click to expand...
If you are not able to flash the BIOS with a new version, or reflash it with the current version, then I would say you have found your problem. Sorry ... news not good :(

I some cases, the actual bios chip can be replaced, but that is not something I wold recommend to a user. You may need to make friends with someone with hardware repair skills to check out your options. You might look on EBay for a good deal on a used laptop, or maybe a new one?

I picked up a good deal on an old laptop with a broken screen, took the good screen (and some other parts) from a non-working laptop of the same model and made one working laptop out of the two ... just a possibility?

Robert
 

My Computer

System One

iseeuu said:
monster528 said:
alright i tried this earlier as well. i did exactly as you suggested and still no success. i tried updating the BIOS, but the problem was the burn operation failed. the only instructions it culd give me was to run the program from my desktop, but sadly im unable to get to my desktop
Click to expand...
If you are not able to flash the BIOS with a new version, or reflash it with the current version, then I would say you have found your problem. Sorry ... news not good :(

I some cases, the actual bios chip can be replaced, but that is not something I wold recommend to a user. You may need to make friends with someone with hardware repair skills to check out your options. You might look on EBay for a good deal on a used laptop, or maybe a new one?

I picked up a good deal on an old laptop with a broken screen, took the good screen (and some other parts) from a non-working laptop of the same model and made one working laptop out of the two ... just a possibility?

Robert
Click to expand...

well the thing is i havent tried to flash/reflash the bios, cuz i dont really know if there is a way to do it without going into the desktop.

http://support.gateway.com/support/... flash Version 9D.05 05/23/2008&uid=263784446

this is the file that i downloaded and i need to find a way to put it on a disc correctly. i have nero and the iso burner that i recieved earlier from an above post.

more then likely it wont work, but it would be nice to atleast try this last attempt before i throw the laptop against the wall :cry:
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Duel @ 2.00Ghz
    Memory
    2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon X1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Acer (C:) 228GB
    Data(D:) 227GB
    Internet Speed
    900kbs
monster528 said:
iseeuu said:
monster528 said:
alright i tried this earlier as well. i did exactly as you suggested and still no success. i tried updating the BIOS, but the problem was the burn operation failed. the only instructions it culd give me was to run the program from my desktop, but sadly im unable to get to my desktop
Click to expand...
If you are not able to flash the BIOS with a new version, or reflash it with the current version, then I would say you have found your problem. Sorry ... news not good :(

I some cases, the actual bios chip can be replaced, but that is not something I wold recommend to a user. You may need to make friends with someone with hardware repair skills to check out your options. You might look on EBay for a good deal on a used laptop, or maybe a new one?

I picked up a good deal on an old laptop with a broken screen, took the good screen (and some other parts) from a non-working laptop of the same model and made one working laptop out of the two ... just a possibility?

Robert
Click to expand...

well the thing is i havent tried to flash/reflash the bios, cuz i dont really know if there is a way to do it without going into the desktop.

BIOS flash Version 9D.05 05/23/2008

this is the file that i downloaded and i need to find a way to put it on a disc correctly. i have nero and the iso burner that i recieved earlier from an above post.

more then likely it wont work, but it would be nice to atleast try this last attempt before i throw the laptop against the wall :cry:
Click to expand...
Ha ha ha! I agree. Yes I would try to flash the bios with the most current version in hopes of a cure.

Do you have a floppy on this laptop? The Flash Utility and the new file will both fit on a floppy. You can boot to the floppy and use the Utility to update the bios. I have done it many times.

If not a floppy, the same Utility and files will fit on a usb drive or a bootable CD. Also I acquired a USB floppy drive very cheaply. Has been a life saver with the new computer with no floppy drives.

Cheers!
Robert
 

My Computer

System One

couldnt this be a bootloader problem? it even said cant go to BCD?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Hp pavillion a6110n
    CPU
    amd athlon 64 x2 live! 4400+
    Memory
    4 gigs 3.3 useable
    Graphics Card(s)
    Finally! SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 12
    Monitor(s) Displays
    generic pnp monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    7.2k rpm
    1 linux ubuntu partition
    1 vista partition
    1recovery partition
    1 windows 7 partition
    1linux swap partition
    PSU
    500W, antc earthwatts EA500
    Case
    normal black case
    Cooling
    fans
    Keyboard
    saitek cyborg gaming keyboard
    Mouse
    logitech mouse (small to fit hand perfectly)
    Internet Speed
    dsl
    Other Info
    2.3 ghz amd
Katokato said:
couldnt this be a bootloader problem? it even said cant go to BCD?
Click to expand...

both of the links you gave to me were people talking about running 2 operating systems on their computer and somehow it malfunctioning. i dont know how that would help me since that isnt the case for me

either way i gave up, im just gonna buy a new computer, theres nothing more that i can do, things completely fried
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
    CPU
    Intel Pentium Duel @ 2.00Ghz
    Memory
    2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon X1650
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Acer (C:) 228GB
    Data(D:) 227GB
    Internet Speed
    900kbs
okay. well at least i tried.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Hp pavillion a6110n
    CPU
    amd athlon 64 x2 live! 4400+
    Memory
    4 gigs 3.3 useable
    Graphics Card(s)
    Finally! SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 12
    Monitor(s) Displays
    generic pnp monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    7.2k rpm
    1 linux ubuntu partition
    1 vista partition
    1recovery partition
    1 windows 7 partition
    1linux swap partition
    PSU
    500W, antc earthwatts EA500
    Case
    normal black case
    Cooling
    fans
    Keyboard
    saitek cyborg gaming keyboard
    Mouse
    logitech mouse (small to fit hand perfectly)
    Internet Speed
    dsl
    Other Info
    2.3 ghz amd
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