noob question... computer died... help?

[Dying Breed]

Hey all, thanks for looking in. You all have been very helpful in the past, so, I thought I would throw another question at ya.

My sister has a Gateway 500x computer built in 2001. I looked at the Gateway site, and I cannot find any info on the specs of this computer. The only thing I do have is the HD. Seagate Barracuda ATA IV, 40 gig.

She said she was typing a letter, and the mouse suddenly didn't work. Shortly thereafter, the screen went black.

I went over to see if I could help her out, and here's what I found...
When you turn the computer on, there is very little noise. The lights on the keyboard light up for a second, then go out. No functions after that. So I powered down the comp (the hard way), took off the side panel, and restarted. There were lights on the MB near the RAM, and the fan over the CPU was the only thing making noise. The HD was silent, and I felt no vibration at any time. I still didn't get any onscreen activity, so, in my limited knowledge, I figured that the HD has died. There is no physical damage to the board or any of the connections.

Would the HD be the place to start?

Again, sorry for the limited comp specs, but does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks a ton

 

[StickClicks5]

The bios wont come up? If that wont come up, sounds like the Mobo went out.

 

[banGerprawN]

Sounds pretty indicative of a dead power supply, which is the more likely scenario of either that or the motherboard.
Are you able to swap in another PSU to test before you start pulling apart motherboards?

 

[StickClicks5]

Yeah try the PSU before anything.

 

[Dying Breed]

nothing comes up. Just a black screen

I can't access anything.

Would the PSU be out if all other pieces seem to work? by lights and fans?

I have no extra parts to try and, my sis is kinda broke, so buying random parts is not really an option.

 

[Dying Breed]

Well, I'm off to bed... if anyone has thought... I will check first thing tomorrow, and update you on the progress... thanks

 

[StickClicks5]

It sounds like the Mobo or PSU. If parts are working then I think it would be the Mobo, but that is about as far as my knowlage can take you, I hope you get this resolved. Good luck! One thought though, if you have a tester, like the ones used to test compontnts on cars the thing with the two pokers that tells if any power is going to something, you might be able to test the PSU.

 

[defakto]

Does it offer any beep codes if ram is pulled from the system? I've had bad ram also give the same symptoms.

 

[banGerprawN]

nothing comes up. Just a black screen

I can't access anything.

Would the PSU be out if all other pieces seem to work? by lights and fans?

I have no extra parts to try and, my sis is kinda broke, so buying random parts is not really an option.

Yes, everything else will usually come on if the PSU has failed somehow. All the front panel lights, the fans, and sometimes, but very rarely, the hard drive.
Test the PSU before anything.

 

[Dying Breed]

Does it offer any beep codes if ram is pulled from the system? I've had bad ram also give the same symptoms.

I didnt try that, but I will when I go over tonight.

 

[Dying Breed]

Thanks for all the help

I'm on my way over there, and it looks like the PSU will be my starting point. I'll let you know

 

[Bleedblue12345]

old gateway can be a bit of a prob to upgrade because some stuff is propreitary and standerd stuff SOMETIMES wont work, im talking size wise like psu and mobo

if u do plan on buying a new psu or mobo then i would reccommend giving gateway a call to see if normal stuff will fit...

i had a 2002 oe 2003 gateway and when i tried to upgrade the psu, a standerd 1 didnt fit, called gateway and some local company had a special one for the case...

dont quote me but i would check it out.. doesnt hurt, specially if u cant afford much

thats my 2 cents

 

[Rofl-Mic-Lofl]

Best-Buy lets you return PSUs, so no harm in trying.

 

[J_I_M_B_O]

Mobo prob, I say.