Laptop GATEWAY Model VTX400
OS : Win XP Home
RAM 256
HDD : 30 MB Toshiba.

After switching on, the Gateway logo appears but didnot boot up to Win XP ! Screen goes blank.
Sometimes by switching on and off 2 or 3-4 times, hopefully can boot 1 time, otherwise don't know why ?
Cannot go to F8 or F10, for choosing booting mode or priority.
RAM and HDD checked : OK

Did Gateway provide you with a Recovery CD?

No, I have only the followings : 1) Gateway Drivers : Display, Modem,Sound,Driver USB2.0, Networking, Touchpad 2) Intel Chipset Soft; 3) Gateway 400 VXT specifications and Userguide 4) Updates WinXP.
Thank You for recommendations & guidances

Is the behavior the same when you use the AC adapter?

According to Gateway you should have a red (driver) CD and a blue (OS/XP) CD.

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/...501331nv.shtml

Dear J,
1) same with AC Adapter. DC Voltage for laptop is OK. As I have reported to U, sometimes after 4-5 switching on and off, I got 1 time OK. Otherwise the processor is very hot. If after 4-5 times the laptop didn't boot, I must wait for 10 or 15 minutes then retry . In case that after 4-5 times, I can't get the laptop to boot up and continue to try by switching on and off, then no use. I 'm Saying switching on and off, that is after the Wingate logo appears on the screen but laptop don't boot further, I must switch it off. And repeat the process until it happily boots
2) One year ago I have installed the WinSP2 and since that time until last month my laptop was OK. The trouble came in only about 1 month recently. and it gradually from bad to worst. Now, even with 4-5 switching on-off, it didn't boot up anymore, despite that after switching on, I always have the Wingate logo, I can access to F2 but it seems to me that my changing the booting options in F2 didn't effect. As for F8 and F10, they are totally out of function, not any reaction or vision on the screen.
Thank You so much for recommendations and guidance.

Just to verify: by "Wingate" logo: do you mean the Gateway logo or the XP splash screen?

Unfortunately it sounds like a hardware problem.

Being a laptop makes it more difficult to diagnose unless you feel confident in opening it up.

Cleaning it out would be a first step regarding the heat issue but it sounds more dire than that.

You might want to consider taking it into a repair shop.

Do you happen to have a cold environment where you can try to boot it?

Without a bootable XP CD testing the integrity of the Operating System is not possible.

Gateway also has Technical Support via phone and e-mail:

http://support.gateway.com/support/ask_gateway.asp

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful but perhaps another member will have an idea for you.

sorry it's the Gateway Logo, not the Wingate logo as I have mistyped.
Ok, thank You I would not bore You more.
I have contacted Gateway, however it requests me USD 300 + air freight, that is more than a half price of a more performanced laptop nowadays, for example the HP Presario 301TU (USD 599). So I have hesitated for the choice.
I have already totally dissassembled, checked every contact, plug ins and reassembled minutiously, the same occurs.
Anyhow, thank You so much for your time.

You could try to boot a Knoppix Live CD just to see if anything will boot.

http://www.knoppix.org/

If you want to try this and have further questions don't hesitate to ask.

Oh, that's interesting. I will try it and let U know. I will pray God for success, who knows !
Regards