eMachines Windows Vista FAQ

Windows®. Life without Walls™. eMachines recommends Windows 7.

Windows Vista - Hard Disk Drive Basic Troubleshooting

  1. Remove/Disconnect media and devices that could affect the trouble shooting process:
    1. Disconnect all external devices (printers, scanners, cameras, music players, etc.)
    2. Remove any added hardware.

  2. Check BIOS Setup and verify it is set correctly:
    1. Press the power button to start the computer.
    2. Tap the F2 or F1 key repeatedly until the Setup Main page is displayed.
      Note: A meesage is displayed on the screen as to which key should be pressed.
    3. Verify if the RAID option is to be enabled or disabled. Reference the product documentation for proper settings.

      Note: Verify the present system configuration and set the BIOS accordingly.

    4. Verify the boot order in the BIOS Setup utility has CD/DVD-Drive listed first.

  3. Run the Memory diagnostic utility from the Vista Operating System DVD.
    1. Press the power button to start the computer.
    2. Insert the operating system DVD into the DVD drive.
    3. Exit the BIOS and boot to the DVD.
    4. When the message "Press any key to boot from the CD or DVD" appears, press a key.
      Note: The time for this message to be displayed is increased if the system has RAID enabled.
    5. When the Install Windows screen appears, click Next.
    6. When the next Install Windows screen appears, click Repair your computer.
    7. The System Recovery Options screen is displayed.
    8. At the System Recovery Options window, click Next.
    9. In the System Recovery Options / Choose a recovery tool window, click Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
    10. In the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool window, click Restart now and check for problems. The System Recovery Options window reappears.
    11. Wait for the system to restart. There may be a minute when it appears nothing is happening.
    12. The system Recovery Options window appears with no apparent activity for several seconds.
    13. The display goes blank for approximately one minute.
    14. The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool appears.
    15. Wait for the diagnostic tool to complete. This may take a few minutes.
    16. If errors are found:
      1. Record the error.
      2. Contact Gateway technical support to finish the resolution for the error.
    17. If no errors are detected, Windows automatically boots upon completion.

  4. If Windows fails to boot, run Startup Repair from the Operating System CD.
    1. Ensure that the Operating System DVD is inserted into the DVD drive.
    2. Restart the computer to boot to the DVD disk.
    3. At the message "Press any key to boot from the CD or DVD", press a key.
    4. When the Install Windows screen appears, click Next.
    5. In the next Install Windows window, click Repair your computer.
    6. At the System Recovery Options window, click Next.
    7. In the System Recovery Options / Choose a recovery tool window, click Startup Repair.
    8. Startup Repair runs and then present results in the Startup Repair window.
    9. If an error is detected, near the end of the list, a Root Cause found heading followed by details is displayed. If the details indicate a repair action, note that action, and whether windows will now boot.
      Note: The root cause information will be particularly useful if windows does boot but the same problem is repeated some time later.
    10. Click the Finish button, and then click the Restart button.

  5. If Windows still fails to boot, repeat the Startup Repair procedure, but do not click Restart at the end of the process.

  6. Run System Restore:
    1. Ensure that the Operating System DVD is inserted into the DVD drive.
    2. If Prompted with the message Do you want to restore your computer using System Restore?, click Restore.
    3. At the System Recovery Options window, click System Restore.
    4. In the System Restore window, click Next.
    5. In the System Restore / Choose a restore point window, select a restore point, and then click Next.
    6. Select the proper drive per the warning presented, and then click Next.
    7. In the System Restore / Confirm your restore point window, click Finish.
    8. When prompted, confirm your desire to install the restore point.
    9. When informed that the restore point has been installed, click Restart.

  7. If Windows boots, run a virus scan. If it fails to boot continue troubleshooting.

  8. Make sure that the cables and jumpers on the hard drive are secure and set correctly. Use the computer's documentation for the correct procedures.

  9. Make sure that the cables and jumpers on the optical drive are secure and set correctly. Use the computer's documentation for the correct procedures.

If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods:
© 2010 Gateway, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.