Gateway MX3414 won't boot

Microcompfx · 09-15-2008, 06:30 PM

Hi,
New around here, trying to get some help with my laptop.
I was trying to upgrade my harddrive to a Samsung 5400rpm 160gb drive,
I configured it in an external case and was able to clone the recovery partition so I could bring it up from there. problem arose when i popped in the new drive and the system didn't respond, no screen, no beeps just a flash on the indicator leds and heat from the vent, it also searches the DVD drive if there is a disc in it. I reinstalled the original drive and it doesn't work either. Now the machine doesn't work with either drive. I can feel the drive is working and I've tested it in the external case and it works fine.
I really need help on this cause things are tight and I don't have money for a new one or to pay what they charge over at gateway.
Help!!!!!

**TriggerFinger** · 09-16-2008, 01:17 AM

Hi and Welcome to TSF.

Based on what you described, it seems the BIOS got corrupted. Try booting without the HDD installed. If it behaves the same, hook it up to an external monitor. Observe if there is any sign of life. If you only get LEDs lighting up, observe if the laptop shuts off. Try also removing CMOS battery but this might require you to open the laptop up.

If you can, do a reset. Remove the battery and AC adapter then press POWER ON for 30secs. Put back battery and plug back AC adapter then power ON as normal.

Microcompfx · 09-16-2008, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the quick reply and sugestions. I removed the battery and the cmos battery and held power-on for over 30 secs. but I sill don't get a boot off the system. All I get is a flash fron the keylock, numlock and wireless leds. What I don't get is how'd this happen when all I did was swap hardrives and the computer was definitly off. Have you any other ideas to share?

**TriggerFinger** · 09-16-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Microcompfx

Thanks for the quick reply and sugestions. I removed the battery and the cmos battery and held power-on for over 30 secs. -- Please read my previous post. I do not think what you did is exactly what I said.

but I sill don't get a boot off the system. All I get is a flash fron the keylock, numlock and wireless leds. What I don't get is how'd this happen when all I did was swap hardrives and the computer was definitly off. Have you any other ideas to share?

09-15-2008, 06:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Microcompfx Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp media center	Gateway MX3414 won't boot Hi, New around here, trying to get some help with my laptop. I was trying to upgrade my harddrive to a Samsung 5400rpm 160gb drive, I configured it in an external case and was able to clone the recovery partition so I could bring it up from there. problem arose when i popped in the new drive and the system didn't respond, no screen, no beeps just a flash on the indicator leds and heat from the vent, it also searches the DVD drive if there is a disc in it. I reinstalled the original drive and it doesn't work either. Now the machine doesn't work with either drive. I can feel the drive is working and I've tested it in the external case and it works fine. I really need help on this cause things are tight and I don't have money for a new one or to pay what they charge over at gateway. Help!!!!!

09-16-2008, 01:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,144 OS: Windows 7 Beta, Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Gateway MX3414 won't boot Hi and Welcome to TSF. Based on what you described, it seems the BIOS got corrupted. Try booting without the HDD installed. If it behaves the same, hook it up to an external monitor. Observe if there is any sign of life. If you only get LEDs lighting up, observe if the laptop shuts off. Try also removing CMOS battery but this might require you to open the laptop up. If you can, do a reset. Remove the battery and AC adapter then press POWER ON for 30secs. Put back battery and plug back AC adapter then power ON as normal. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Everest HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

09-16-2008, 04:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
Microcompfx Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp media center	Re: Gateway MX3414 won't boot Thanks for the quick reply and sugestions. I removed the battery and the cmos battery and held power-on for over 30 secs. but I sill don't get a boot off the system. All I get is a flash fron the keylock, numlock and wireless leds. What I don't get is how'd this happen when all I did was swap hardrives and the computer was definitly off. Have you any other ideas to share?