Re: Gateway 610XL
Hi CSantoriello,
it's true that Gateway's support is absolutely pathetic. Check out the MFP1400 (I think that's it), an LCD gateway sold for 2001. Constant blanks within 2 years on the screen.
Gateway's modus operandi appears to be to build crap hardware to work for a year or two, then fail to a degree that you have to replace the unit.
My 610 had already had a rev 1 powersupply.
I do not believe the problem is a faulty power supply. I have done much hardware work in the ways of LCDs and panels lately and believe the problem to be solely to a weak LCD inverter.
However, due to the nature of the 610, I would not recommend anyone but a professional to tackle this.
The reason is this: I tear down laptops all the time and can rip it apart to mainboard out of the case and the thing in pieces and back together inside of 30 minutes. I had trouble with the 610, and it would require documenting and presumably photos to get the wiring and harnessing and screws back in their correct places. But, if you're feeling brave...
Gateway hasn't said it's the PSU; I have contacted them, Sony, HP and others with issues and been told there are no issues -- even when I'm on the friggin website, looking at the exact issue on the machine.
All of these steps worked for some people, limiting voltage, etc -- if you want to rule out your PSU, get a good UPS system in place -- this will ensure that your voltage is just fine. If there is an issue beyond that, you could get a 300+ watt PSU, and that should take care of any possibility of it being a power issue; it may be a draw issue or resistance in the wiring, bad caps, etc.
I personally think a new inverter board would take care of this issue, however, I no longer have a 610 so that I can find out. :)
Let me know if I can do anything to help.
Regards.
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