Gateway desktop shuts down instead of restart
I'm working on a Gateway DX4860 that has a few issues. One that has been around for quite a while is that when trying to do a restart from WIndows 10, it will turn off instead of restarting. Powering it back up gives a normal startup without any error messages.
I've tested the RAM, tried a different power supply, looked for bad caps (didn't find any), done a new installation of Windows 10 on a different disk, run from Safe Mode, used a new user account, cleared the BIOS, set the BIOS to always start when power is applied, and have reset the BIOS to defaults.
I used the Linux-based Nordahl password reset program to clear a password. When done, I did a ctrl-alt-del to restart it. It shut down.
I tried to do a BIOS upgrade, but get a message that the file size is incorrect for this system. There are three different BIOS files on the Gateway site for this model, all of which give this error. I've seen other posts online with the same issue on this model.
Any thoughts on how to get restart working again would be appreciated.
I've tested the RAM, tried a different power supply, looked for bad caps (didn't find any), done a new installation of Windows 10 on a different disk, run from Safe Mode, used a new user account, cleared the BIOS, set the BIOS to always start when power is applied, and have reset the BIOS to defaults.
I used the Linux-based Nordahl password reset program to clear a password. When done, I did a ctrl-alt-del to restart it. It shut down.
I tried to do a BIOS upgrade, but get a message that the file size is incorrect for this system. There are three different BIOS files on the Gateway site for this model, all of which give this error. I've seen other posts online with the same issue on this model.
Any thoughts on how to get restart working again would be appreciated.
William Fulks
Take a good look at the motherboard and see if there are any blown capacitors on it. I've seen PC's do this before and it was the motherboard going out, especially given the age of that one.
ASKER
Thank you.... but I just edited the post (likely as you were writing yours) to include that I had checked the caps.
Just checked Gateway's site and that PC is not tested as fully compatible with Windows 10, so there's your main problem. You got wonky driver issues.
http://www.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/windows10-creators-update
http://www.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/windows10-creators-update
ASKER
OK... was about to try a Win 8.1 install just as a test. I'll move forward with that.
you can try Win 8.1, but i fear it iwas made for windows 7
and the latest windows 10 version requires updates of bios and drivers
and the latest windows 10 version requires updates of bios and drivers
"If your product model is not listed in the table below, Gateway has not tested the device and the drivers have not been updated for that model" - so being not present on the list could mean the drivers are the problem or it could mean, they are ok. However, you surely have a driver problem and need to see that the chipset and ACPI drivers are even installed. See if intel offers new chipset drivers for your machine (find out the chipset, first).
what table?
I used to work with Gateway PCs at a Public Library and had issues with USB devices attached when rebooting. You might try disconnecting them to test.
you said the shutdown was one of it's problems - what were the others?
ASKER
I tried 8.1, Device Manager had no errors, problem persisted. I'll try Win 7.
Other problems included hanging on shutdown (resolved by removing a service), inability to update BIOS (likely a problem with Gateway not posting the correct ones for this specific revision), and one bad RAM stick.
Other problems included hanging on shutdown (resolved by removing a service), inability to update BIOS (likely a problem with Gateway not posting the correct ones for this specific revision), and one bad RAM stick.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
That's actually the direction I'm going. I'm patching it up as well as I reasonably can and suggesting that they live with the shutdown problem.
If you have a spare power supply, I would test that. Sometimes, broken power supplies lead to weird effects.
ASKER
Tried another PS, same results.
Your decision what to do. You wanted to try win7 - what result?
I suggested to install newest intel drivers? Done?
I suggested to install newest intel drivers? Done?
If the manufacturer can't guarantee the compatibility, you could see other problems besides just the shutdown issue. I'd highly recommend you either downgrade or retire the system.
ASKER
I've tried a clean install of Windows 7 SP1 and saw the same shutdown problem. All Gateway drivers were installed manually, no errors in Device Manager. I installed updates from Intel, no improvement.
I've got to believe that there is a hardware problem, likely in the motherboard. I'm going to advise to retire the system or live with the shutdown problem.
Thanks to all for your comments!
I've got to believe that there is a hardware problem, likely in the motherboard. I'm going to advise to retire the system or live with the shutdown problem.
Thanks to all for your comments!
ASKER
Thanks to all who contributed. While the comments didn't resolve my issues, most were reasonable suggestions and could help someone else in a similar situation.