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Can someone help me with my laptop?

M

Murr

Member
Its a Gateway 600 series notebook, which just lost its warranty. When I turn on my computer it seems like everything is working (the fan goes on, the normal LEDs light up), but the screen stays black.

This has happened a couple other times, and it always seems to happen after someone puts it into standbye mode. Normally I can get it to boot up normally by taking the battery out for 20 minutes. Once the problem was the button that turns the screen off when you close the laptop was stuck, but that was fixed.

I'm hoping that this is a fairly common problem, otherwise I dont think it would be easy to diagnose online. If that is not the case, could someone recommend a good/cheap place I could take it to be fixed?
 
I have had my Gateway Solo 9300cx for almost two years. It came with Win98, then got a free "upgrade" to ME, and then to XP Pro. It has 512 MB of RAM, 15.6" screen, and a 5400 RPM 40 GB drive. It hasd travelled with me to Europe, Mexico, Alaska, and all over the USA - and has never had a crash or lockup.

This is my 5th laptop - and a long time ago I learned never to use "Standby" or "Hibernate." They are not to be trusted. The battery should be calibrated about once every 2-3 months (Gateway calls it setting the "gas gauge.")

It is also not a bad idea to remove the battery when one is operating for long periods in a desktop location. The machine will ruin without the battery installed. Have you tried that?

You could be looking at a burned out backlight in your LCD. There are several alternatives for repairs and checks. I like to go on E-Bay and buy parts there. I replaced the LS-120 drive that way, and also got an extra second HDD module. That lets me clone the main drive and always have a spare ready to go.

Where are you located? That is key to finding a suitable repair facility. Have you taklen it to your local Gateway store for a check up? Good and cheap do not necessarily go together. 🙂

It would be good to go on E-Bay and see what Solo 600s are going for. It may be cheaper to go that route.

An added thought - try connecting your Solo to an external monitor (set the BIOS accordingly) just to see if the problem is the LCD or not.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

I tried hooking it up to another monitor, but it doesnt work. I dunno if you have to change any settings for that to work, but I cant change anything anyway. I also tried without the battery in but that doesnt work.

A problem with the LCD sounds right, since it seems like the computer is starting. But I would like to make sure before I do anything drastic.

I live in Burke, VA. I tried talking to Gateway and they said I cant get it repaired at the Gateway stores, but they guy I talked to was an idiot. Maybe I'll call one of the stores....
 
Yeah - it sounds like the LCD's backlight. Better than calling, just drop in with it. I alsways do better face to face than on the phone. It's easier to find someone intelligent that way. 🙂

The 600 series is fairly new. Here are a bunch of them. Looks like they are still worth over $1K. Worth fixing.

Ebay
 
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