I have Gateway with an Athlon X2 that wont boot. When I try to turn it on , the first thing I notice is that the fan( it has no cpu fan just a big case fan with a shroud over the heat sink) which comes on full bore normally, does not come on , the lights at the lock icons dont light, than the monitor goes to sleep. The HD light blinks in various patterns. If I unplug the whole thing and plug it back in the fan starts up , and the unit may or not boot. I have to try several times to boot. The fan does come on every time tho' after the first unplugging The MoBo says K2BC51 LF and I am running XP. The MoBo has on board graphics. Thankful for any help. I have taken the PS to be tested and told it was ok.

What is the exact Gateway model?

Gateway Support Documents

jephree, it's a GT5228

This one?

Gateway Support - 1009153*Gateway GT5228 Media Center Computer

That's it

Are you sure you reconnected all the PSU leads?

I assume you removed the "air duct" in order to remove the PSU?

FAQ_1

Did you clean the computer inside the "air duct"?

Gateway's only tip is make sure it is plugged in.

FAQ_2

Anyway I'd certainly make sure it is clean inside and redo all your power connections.

Also re-seat your RAM while you're at it.

Thanks Jephree, It"s clean in there, I've unplugged and relugged everything several times. It's been hard to start for about a month,so I've mostly been leaving it on. If it ever went into sleep it wouldn't come back so I shut that off. Then this week it just shut down when I was away from it.

Well the PSU would be my first suspect and obviously I don't know how you had it tested. You can get a tester for yourself similar to this:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/40...l?tl=g11c28s88

If the PSU is indeed good my next suspects would be: RAM; Hard Drive both of which are easily tested:

MemTest
--------------------------------------------------
Try running MemTest.

HDD Diag .................................................. ..........................

Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.


Of course heat could also be an issue. I do not like those "air duct" units but anyway make sure the flow is good. If all other tests pass you might check for a heat issue. Monitor your CPU temperature.

Short of installing a traditional heatsink/fan unit you could test by removing the "air duct" and blowing a room fan onto the CPU heatsink.

The last 2 PS I replaced tested OK. Try a new or good working PS.

I'm not sure how to test memory if the machine wont start. I know the HDD drive is okay 'cause I put it in my wife's machine and it's fine, as much as I can tell, I cant see how temp is an issue as it would run fine all evening, but not start in the AM when the temp in this room is 60 degrees or less. I just took the PSU to a local shop where they tested it , I don't know how.