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Hello everyone this is a gateway desktop running XP pac 3. When I press the power button to turn on the computer it doen't boot the fan just starts running as soon as I press the power button. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks

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As suggested, the beep behavior is the quickest clue to where the fault sits. On many BIOSes a single short beep means POST completed and the CPU/motherboard passed initial checks; multiple or continuous beeps point to specific faults (RAM, video, etc.). A concise reference for typical BIOS beep codes is available here: Beep codes.

What to infer from outcomes without repeating the whole bench-test:

  • Single short beep on a minimal board usually means the motherboard/CPU are OK. The problem is then likely one of the parts you add back (bad DIMM, a faulty video card, a shorted cable, etc.).
  • No beep at all while the fan runs can mean the speaker is not connected or the board never reaches POST — common causes are a dead PSU rail, short on the motherboard/case standoff, blown capacitors, or a failed VRM. Inspect the board for bulging capacitors, burn marks, or loose standoffs. Confirm the small motherboard speaker is present (or use a POST speaker) so you actually hear beep codes.

Useful, non-invasive next steps (if comfortable doing them): verify the chassis power switch wiring or momentarily short the front-panel power pins to rule out a stuck switch; try a known-good PSU or a PSU tester; clear CMOS by removing the battery for a minute; test DIMMs one at a time in different slots if RAM is suspected. If the board reports POST OK but fails once a particular card or drive is attached, that component or its cable/slot is the likely culprit. If unsure or the machine is under warranty, professional service or contacting Gateway is the safest route.

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Member Avatar for finito

Crguy.

Please Strip your computer down to only the Motherboard, CPU, Heatsink, and PSU.

Remove the RAM, Hard drive(s), USB Pherperals, Mouse, Keyboard, CD Drives, VGA, etc..

Once you have the system bare, start it again, you want to hear 3 or 4 consecutive evenly timed beeps.

If you do then try adding the Ram back in.

Now you want to hear one single beep.

Report your results.

Enjoy.

Member Avatar for crguy

Thanks Finito and if this beebs like you said in the end what is the problem?

Member Avatar for finito

if you get a single beep that is good now add you VGA and boot, then your hard drive then boot.

Keep adding a single peripheral until you don't hear the beep.

That is your culprit.

Member Avatar for crguy

Thank you very much

Member Avatar for finito

what was the problem?

don't leave the suspense like that.

and Please mark as solved if solved.

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