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Desktops: Gateway GM5478 has an apparent design flaw
What worked for me in Gateway GM5478 debacle
by brienlee - 6/22/08 2:12 PM In reply to: Gateway GM5478 Motherboard Crashes by meccajcI went for about 6 months with no problems until my Vista op system got that "Must exit-- rebooting-- must exit-- reboot" endless loop in Windows Explorer... there was nothing I could do to fix it, so I set up a new copy of Vista.
It acted like a whole different computer. And the 55 minute crash was there.
I took out video card, went into the bios setup to fix the fan cooling, installed bios and mboard updates, and I still had the problems.
I finally installed XP3, through a process of creating an XP3 install disc that included all of the drivers for various parts of this computer that didn't exist when XP was the main opsys. (Otherwise you get the BSOD. There are instructions for this throughout this thread --much earlier).
Since that time, 18 hours ago, the 5478 has been continuously on in an unairconditioned room without a crash. (Don't worry, I'll put the air on soon.)
And the hard drive is as quiet as could be-- compared to that constant crunching that was happening when Vista was "in charge."
I have no idea which combination of these items did the trick, but I think it was getting a proper XP installed. The computer now seems so "civilized".
GM5478 Hourly Reboots
by fredm54 - 6/22/08 3:14 PM In reply to: What worked for me in Gateway GM5478 debacle by brienleeI bought my GM5478 in July 2007 and I too was experiencing the reboots though they didn't start until a few months later. At first I thought it was a Vista issue or some junk I may have installed.
I'll tell you all what I did to resolve my problem.
I found an unused FAN connector on the motherboard. So I installed a fan (with the 3 pin connector) in the lower front of the case. It's a snug fit so it's not mounted to anything (it isn't going anywhere) I was thinking this would give the BIOS something else to monitor plus provide some more air flow (not much but some)
The reboots seemed to have gotten better but they still occured.
I updated my BIOS to DPP3510J.15A.0298 back in the middle of February 08 and I have had NOT ONE reboot since !!!
So if you have an extra fan (with the small 3 pin connector) install the fan and update your BIOS and just maybe you'll get lucky!
Fred
Gateway GM5478 Reboot Problem
by spapet64 - 10/12/09 12:07 PM In reply to: GM5478 Hourly Reboots by fredm54Here's my fix. I believe it's a case/motherboard heat issue. I installed a 92mm fan in rear of case and moved the 80mm fan from the rear to the front of case. There is a second 3 pin header on the mobo near the front of the case. I connected the rear 92mm fan directly to the power supply, not the motherboard. I don't trust the mobo to get the rear fan speed correct. I put the rear Antec 3 speed fan on high. I also updated the bios. I also upgraded the PSU to a Corsair 450. No problems since. Shame on Gateway for not providing adequate ventilation. I'm sure many units were returned. Just look at all the referbished ones for sale. Good luck.
OMG yall r stupid
by CaptainMorgan01230 - 7/7/08 12:40 AM In reply to: Gateway GM5478 has an apparent design flaw by spaceguyI have the same problem. The problem is nothing. Its just overheating and it needs a short break. Go have a bite and come back or leave it off overnight and it will be good to go!
RE: OMG Yall r stupid
by michelleespinoza - 7/7/08 12:47 AM In reply to: OMG yall r stupid by CaptainMorgan01230If it was just 'overheating' then Gateway wouldn't have released a BIOS update to correct the problem and they wouldn't have replaced 3 motherboards (and counting)along with new memory, 2 hard drives, 2 graphic cards, etc.... They would just prefer to recall the product and save on the repairs.
Go finish your rum Captain.
-
by CaptainMorgan01230 - 7/14/08 1:55 PM In reply to: RE: OMG Yall r stupid by michelleespinozai wouldnt no bout the bad parts cuz im not a comp geek like all of yall, u just need to leave it alone for a lil bit and itll be aight
Gateway GM5643E has the same problem
by chingkui - 10/9/08 4:41 PM In reply to: - by CaptainMorgan01230I have bought a Gateway GM5643E for two weeks, I started having the same reboot problem yesterday for three times, I will see if it can be fixed by the recommendations made here...
I have junked this computer
by snophunk311 - 10/29/08 5:19 PM In reply to: Gateway GM5643E has the same problem by chingkuiWell I have had this computer for about a year and a half, I have sent it in to Gateway 4 times,under warrenty free of charge. All four time assuring me that it was fixed, first they repalced the motherboard, next diognosed the problem and Bios update, thrid another motherboard replacement, fourth a hard drive replacement. Each time with the same results, reboot. Now my computer will not even boot, it is fried. Gateway will not do anything about it since it is out of warrenty. So I just scrapped the system and bought a Dell xps. It was a good buy for the price in the beginning but after four repairs/replacements it only lasted a year, I say this is a bust. This is just my personal problem, good luck to the rest of you.
One more thing
by snophunk311 - 10/29/08 5:21 PM In reply to: Gateway GM5643E has the same problem by chingkuiAfter all this problem I have to say one more thing that Gateway Support is very unsupportive. Especially when you are out of warrenty
Can we ALL take them to court?
by leotonic - 11/4/08 1:54 PM In reply to: One more thing by snophunk311We all should do so!
There's enough of us to file a civil suit--
by michelleespinoza - 11/21/08 11:57 PM In reply to: Can we ALL take them to court? by leotonicDoes anyone know a lawyer that will take this case on for us? If we demanded $5,000 a piece (lost work time, hassle, purchasing, inflation of original purchase, lost productivity, etc...) or more, then the lawyer could get their cut too.
RE: There's enough of us to file a civil suit-
by BTB0923 - 12/18/08 5:29 PM In reply to: There's enough of us to file a civil suit-- by michelleespinozaHas anyone made any progress trying to get Gateway to pay for this mess? I have had the same problem with my GM5478 on and off for almost a year now. Every time I think I have found a solution that works (i.e. new graphics card, added fan, updated bios), the problem eventually comes back. It is unnaceptable that a defective product like this was put on the market and Gateway should be held responsible.
Not that easy...
by lisakuehl - 1/23/09 8:22 AM In reply to: OMG yall r stupid by CaptainMorgan01230Hi...our auto shutdown has had nothing to do with giving the computer a "rest." It occurs no matter what we are running and when we are running it...or how much we have been using it. Shutdowns were very random, but recently right on the hour. See my previous posts for how we think we have (temporarily) fixed this...by manually restarting just prior to an hourly auto-shutdown. We tried this on 1/15/09 and as of today, not a single reboot so far. Computer has been perfect. Maybe it knew we were on the verge of buying an iMac. Anyone know why this fix would work?
GT5628
by richardkoi - 12/30/08 10:40 AM In reply to: Gateway GM5478 has an apparent design flaw by spaceguyI have two of these computers, and this fixed it:
http://www.jamesballenger.com/2008/04/05/how-to-flash-update-a-gateway-gt5628-with-a-cd/
No Reboots but now a wierd hum/buzz???
by timinkc - 1/12/09 1:02 PM In reply to: GT5628 by richardkoiOK, so after applying the BIOS updates to my GM5478 last year I haven't had any more reboots, and I've been happy with it for several months. Now, though, when I boot it up (or sometimes just when-ever) I get this weird hum/buzz funky sound like a fan is bound up or something.
Any ideas what this may be? Did yours sound like this before the 8500GT went out? Anyone else have this issue?
What's really great is that the only way I've figured out to deal with it is a sharp blow to the top of the case. This usually makes the sound stop.
I've added another 500GB drive, and am about to switch to 64bit OS and 8GB of ram, but I'm thinking maybe I'd better just scrap the thing rather than deal with anymore issues. I'm a freelance software/ web developer, so I run lots of stuff most "home" users don't (JDE, visual studio 05 and 08, SQL Server, Adobe CS4, Virtualbox and VMWare for linux virtualization, Apache, MySQL etc.) and it's been great since the BIOS update but I'm getting a little sick of never knowing what's up with the damn thing.
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