Gateway windows 8 not booting up

[Cathy5]

I have a Gateway laptop with Windows 8. The other day I was using it when suddenly the screen went dark except for the date and time box. I put it to sleep and tried to restart but only get a gray screen- even though the mouse pointer shows up and the little blue light is blinking fast like it is trying to do something. I have a lot of data on it, including Kindle and music, photos, etc. that I would like to retrieve so a wipe and reinstall is only my last resort. What do you suggest?

 

[webworkings]

Try this....

Make sure you wait until the computer would be fully loaded before trying this, and not try it right away like you would to say get into BIOS. This needs you to actually be where you would be when Windows Explorer loads.

1. Press "Shift" repeatedly until the "sticky keys" window show ups.

2. Now click the the link there that will lead to the "Ease of Access Center".

3. Next click "Cancel" on the the bottom right corner of the "Set Up Sticky Keys" window.

4. From here you want to click "Control Panel" on the upper left corner (it should be right beside the "Make Your Computer Easier to Use" title.

5. Locate the "Computer Settings" menu and then choose the "Recovery" icon (make sure that your view of this is by either large or small icons for easier access).

6. Now click and open "System Restore".

7. Here you want to click next on the bottom right corner (a few times) until the button "Finish" shows up and then click it. (Just follow everything prompt that the window says which will lead you to recovering your previous system, in a certain time.

8. The computer will now do the work it needs to and then reboot.


If that doesn't work, you can try the following...

You can also try doing the Ctrl+Alt+Delete and see if you can get "Task Manager" to show.


If the "Task Manager" windows shows, then choose "New Task" and then type in EXPLORER. If the desktop shows up then you need to go into "Start", "Programs", then "Accessories" and finally "Command Prompt". (Or you can do a search for CMD.)

Make sure you load the "Command Prompt" with Administrator access. Then when it loads type in....

SFC /SCANNOW

It will do a file check.

To learn more about "SFC" visit this link at Microsoft... https/support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929833

 

[Cathy5]

Thanks. I will try this and see what happens.

 

[Cathy5]

I tried this, and after clicking the shift key a number of times a box appeared that asked me if I wanted to unlock the sticky keys. The only options were "yes" and "no". Regardless of which one I chose nothing else happened- even when I pushed various other keys (including the "control-alt-delete" combo). I even tried removing the battery and reinstalling it. What else do you suggest? BTW, I am using a different laptop for our communications...

 

[webworkings]

Hmm It is possible that the problem is something malicious on the laptop. You could try starting it up in "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Networking" and see if it will load correctly.

How to enter "Safe Mode" when booting the computer.

In Windows 8 and 10...

As your computer restarts, press F8 (possibly a few times) to enter "Safe Mode"

a. Press the "F4" key to Enable "Safe Mode".
(The computer will then start in "Safe Mode" with a minimal set of drivers and services.)

b. Press the "F5" key to Enable "Safe Mode" with Networking.
( Once "Safe Mode" with Networking starts, Windows is in Safe Mode, with additional network and services for accessing the Internet and other computers on your network.)

c. Press the "F6" key to Enable "Safe Mode" with Command Prompt.
(In "Safe Mode" with "Command Prompt" starts Windows in Safe Mode, with a Command Prompt window instead of the Windows interface. This option is mostly only used by IT professionals.)

Now sign in to the computer with your account name and password. (If you have one set.) When you are finished troubleshooting, you can exit "Safe Mode" restarting your computer.


In Windows 7/Vista/XP...

1. Immediately after turning on the computer, or restarting it (usually after you hear your computer beep), tap the F8 key, repeatedly, in 1 second intervals.

2. The computer will then display hardware information and run a memory test.

3. Next the "Advanced Boot Options" menu will appear.

4. In the "Advanced Boot Options" menu use the arrow keys to select "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode with Networking" and press ENTER.

 

[Cathy5]

I will give it a try. Thanks.

 

[Cathy5]

...sadly, nothing happened- no matter how many times I pushed the F keys...

 

[webworkings]

I am then at a loss.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[Cathy5]

Well... thanks anyway. I guess I will have to try to find a shop then.