Need help getting an old compute to boot up

[Peter Gozintite]

I have an old Gateway computer, that I used to start my business with in 2005. I have had it disconnected from the interent for some time, and have used it basically to keep my quickbooks and a couple other things on. Well the other day, it deceided that it does not want to boot up.

I turn the switch on, but it doesnt light up, even though the rest of the machine appears to be running.

Nothing will come up on the screen either.

Any suggestions on getting this dinosaur to boot up without completely erasing everything?

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I have an old Gateway computer, that I used to start my business with in 2005. I have had it disconnected from the interent for some time, and have used it basically to keep my quickbooks and a couple other things on. Well the other day, it deceided that it does not want to boot up.

I turn the switch on, but it doesnt light up, even though the rest of the machine appears to be running.

Nothing will come up on the screen either.

Any suggestions on getting this dinosaur to boot up without completely erasing everything?

Mmmm sounds like your hard drive may be dead. Hope you backed all your data.

 

[Peter Gozintite]

Mmmm sounds like your hard drive may be dead. Hope you backed all your data.

Yeah most of it. Is there nothing I can do about this?

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Yeah most of it. Is there nothing I can do about this?

Buy a new hard drive, install then use your backup to get your data back. Those hard drives have a limited life span. You got ten years out that one, which is pretty good.

 

[Peter Gozintite]

Buy a new hard drive, install then use your backup to get your data back. Those hard drives have a limited life span. You got ten years out that one, which is pretty good.

So thats it then?

 

[Peter Gozintite]

So I should just load my backed up shit onto another computer and junk this thing then?

 

[clemtheslowson]

So I should just load my backed up shit onto another computer and junk this thing then?

Is the power supply still working?

 

[Peter Gozintite]

Is the power supply still working?

Yeah, and I can hear the fan and other components running when I turn it on.

 

[clemtheslowson]

Yeah, and I can hear the fan and other components running when I turn it on.

You can probably still get an external hard drive enclosure. Put the hard drive in that and see if you can plus it in to another computer. (These are typically USB connected).

If the hard drive is readable, then my guess would be the mother board.

You can also try just re-seating the RAM first.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

So I should just load my backed up shit onto another computer and junk this thing then?

Computer that old? I'd say yeah. Won't be long before you have another hardware piece going bad.

 

[Peter Gozintite]

You can also try just re-seating the RAM first.

I dont know what that means.

 

[clemtheslowson]

I dont know what that means.

There are memory modules in slots in the mother board. Go online on another PC, do a google search on the make and model of your PC and ask about reseating the memory. It is a simple process.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

There are memory modules in slots in the mother board. Go online on another PC, do a google search on the make and model of your PC and ask about reseating the memory. It is a simple process.

Worth a shot, but a 10 year old computer isn't going to last much longer. I'd bite the bullet and buy another computer.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

 

[Peter Gozintite]

Worth a shot, but a 10 year old computer isn't going to last much longer. I'd bite the bullet and buy another computer.

I have other computers, but just kept this one around because it had 10 years of info on it, and I could access it without having to bog down other computers.

 

[Peter Gozintite]

@HaroldSeattle and @clemtheslowson you guys rock! We have lift off. Now to back up everything to current time and move on with my life. Thanks guys!

 

[clemtheslowson]

I dont know what that means.

There are memory modules in slots in the mother board. Go online on another PC, do a google search on the make and model of your PC and ask about reseating the memory. It is a simple process.

@HaroldSeattle and @clemtheslowson you guys rock! We have lift off. Now to back up everything to current time and move on with my life. Thanks guys!

You are welcome.