I have a Gateway Athlon computer. Awhile back, my friend’s brother reformatted the computer, loaded Windows XP (was previously Windows 98), and more memory. It worked fine afterwards.
About 1 month later we replaced the DVD ROM with a DVD burner. It worked fine, but awhile after it was in use, the computer just completely shut off. It wouldn’t go back on with the power button.
We waited awhile, tried it again, and it worked. This happened a few times, then the computer was packed up because me moved.
It’s been months now, we’ve finally settled into our new place, and I just set up the computer again. I turned it on, and it worked fine. Then, the same problem began to happen.
On the last attempt to start the computer, it got stuck on the black Gateway screen, but it wouldn’t load windows. None of the function keys work – nothing works. It can be shut off by pressing the power button, but when it’s turned back on it just stays at the black Gateway screen.
Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. My baby’s newborn pictures are stored on the computer – and that’s the only place they are stored – so I hope there’s something that could be done that doesn’t involve losing data. Sadly, the last time it died is when I was about to e-mail the pictures to myself so I wouldn’t lose them!!!
