Messed up BIOS?

[Fed]

Some more reading for you Rhinosaur.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000607.htm

Are you able to get into bios setup without the computer failing?

[Rhinosaur]

Thanks for that link.
-I am able to stay as long as i wan't in the BIOS, when i get the Gateway screen it then restarts.

Make sure all fans are running in the computer. If a fan has failed (especially the heat sink fan for the CPU) your computer could be overheating and/or detecting the fan failure causing the computer not to boot. (from article)

My heat sink is not conected to the computer, it is sitting on top of the proccesor (exactly the same position) but is it possible that the computer does not know it is there and is not allowing itself to boot? The thing is that the heat sink hasn't been conected for a long time however, but possibly when i reset the BIOS it now turns itself off?

If it helps i get two quick beeps while the computer is starting up.

[Fed]

Is that Gateway screen some sort of logo that can be turned off from within bios, it may be hiding vital onscreen messages.

My heat sink is not conected to the computer, it is sitting on top of the proccesor (exactly the same position) but is it possible that the computer does not know it is there and is not allowing itself to boot? The thing is that the heat sink hasn't been conected for a long time however, but possibly when i reset the BIOS it now turns itself off?

I'm not sure what you mean exactly but the heatsink should be firmly fixed to the top of the processor and the fan should be connected and running.

If it helps i get two quick beeps while the computer is starting up.

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

You may have to follow the steps suggested in here... http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000607.htm

Do you have the motherboard book for this computer, if not then it may help to download one.

[Rhinosaur]

I don't belive i can turn of the Gateway logo-

I tested some computer parts in the computer (removing one and turning computer on) and they all seem to work, so far i have tested..

Hard Drive(s)
Ram
Bios Battery
Cables in Computer

When i remove or switch one of these the same problem still happens, so i don't know where to go from here.

A quick recap of all of the things the computer does.

1. Powers on - two quick beeps
2. "Bios clock not set (or somthing) press F1 to enter setup
2. F1- setup, set time, save and exit (can stay in here as long as i want, wont crash)
3. Gateway Logo- a few seconds, sounds of things running in computer- sounds stop
4. Step 2

[believer]

Okay I found what might be the right direction to take here.
You appear to be have a Parity circuit failure.

I have given a link to a page from this website check it out. It has some good ideas of how to trouble shoot this.
Basically 2 beeps on boot up indicates Memory issues or motherboard problem.
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Also try this link for some info....a lot of reading.

http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/amiB2-c.html

Let us know how it goes

[kpac]

I have given a link to a page from this website check it out. It has some good ideas of how to trouble shoot this.
Basically 2 beeps on boot up indicates Memory issues or motherboard problem.
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Already has that one....

[believer]

oops my bad.

Can you get into Bios still?

[street1 (RIP)]

Let's talk about the heatsink fan.You need to get it working properly to
advance to anywhere. Is it plugged in and working yet ?You should remove
the heatsink fan and CPU.Clean them properly get some thermal paste applied properly and reassemble.Your CPU is overheating.

[believer]

not sure overheating is occuring since he can stay on bios clock setting without it crashing and rebooting.

[Fed]

Model is...

Gateway MFATXTL

Can you double check this please.


Also check the fitment of the new battery, once you have set the time it should be retained.

[merlin]

Nice woe....have you got anymore

[Fed]

Nice woe....have you got anymore

I have plenty of woes, you want some?

[Rhinosaur]

ok been a while but i am ready to try fixing this comp again.

I think my best option is to reinstall windows and see if that helps. But i am having some trouble... i don't want to spend 100$ on a xp CD. So i thought i would create one. I read the article on this site but that seems that the CD only works for that one computer, meaning if i made a boot disk on another it wouldn't work. Is this true?

-simplified, if i create a boot disk on another computer can i use it on the messed up computer?

@Fed
Model MFATXSTL ELP, im not sure exactly what to check for on the battery...