Gateway MD2614u Troubleshooting

The MD2614u was released in 2009 as an entry level laptop from Gateway. It is perfect for web browsing and completing basic tasks. The MD2614u is stylish and affordable, which is fitting for those not looking to spend much money on a laptop.

Your computer will not turn on

Try ATX resetting. Remove the battery and power cord from your laptop. Press the power button and hold for 15 seconds(without any power source connected). Plug in only the power cord, leaving the battery out of the laptop. Try booting up the computer. If it boots properly, then shut it down, put the battery back in, and boot it up again. If the computer does not boot up with only the power cord in it, then unplug the power cord and hold the power button for 15 more seconds. Reset the battery in the computer, plug in the power cable, and boot up the computer.

Verify that all cables inside of the laptop are intact and firmly connected to the motherboard and hard disk.

If the computer and fan are not turning on, then you could have a problem with the hard drive.

Your computer screen is sometimes red

Reinstall the display adapter from the recovery partition. (Navigate) Start>All Programs>Gateway>Restore Application & Drivers> Select the appropriate driver. Update the display driver from http:\\support.gateway.com

Your computer screen will not display any images

===Updating Your Graphics Card Driver===

Every once in a while, your existing software becomes outdated, requiring a simple update. Updating your graphics drivers consists of going on the manufacturer's website and looking up the model of your graphics card. After that, click install.

Try connecting your laptop to an external monitor with either an HDMI or VGA cable. If there is still no display, then the graphics card of your MD2614u needs to be replaced. If the monitor does have a display, then there is a problem with the LCD screen and needs to be replaced.

To test if the RAM is causing the black screen, remove the RAM cards from the slot and put them in another laptop. Use the repair guide for Gateway MD2614u RAM Replacement if you need instructions for removing the cards. If the other laptop functions with those RAM cards, then the RAM is not the problem.

Try ATX resetting. Remove the battery and power cord from your laptop. Use the repair guide Gateway MD2614u Battery Replacement for help on removing the battery. Press the power button and hold for 15 seconds(without any power source connected.) Plug in only the power cord, leaving the battery out of the laptop. Try booting up the computer. If it boots properly, then shut it down. Put the battery back in and boot it up again. If the computer does not boot up with only the power cord in it, unplug the power cord and hold the power button for 15 more seconds. Reset the battery in the computer, plug in the power cable, and boot up the computer. If your computer does not work, you will need to replace the battery.

If all else failed, then there is a problem with your motherboard. In most cases, it is less expensive to buy a new computer than it is to replace the motherboard.

Keyboard is not detected by the computer operating system

If your keyboard has missing keys, then your laptop will not detect keystrokes. Verify that unresponsive keys are not loose. It is common for keys to break and need replacement. For replacing loose or broken keys, use the guide for Gateway MD2614u Key Replacement.

A dirty keyboard will not allow your computer to read your keystrokes. To avoid this problem, purchase a compressed air can to clean it. Use the can once you have turned the keyboard upside down, and after you spray tap the back of it to get debris to fall out. Then use a clean cloth to wipe the keys down

The speakers have poor sound quality

Dirt and dust build up can severely reduce speaker efficiency. If your speakers aren’t quite outputting as efficiently as before, checking to see if they’re dirty should be one of the first steps you do in fixing your speakers. Grabbing a cloth and a can of compressed air, wipe down the speakers while using the compressed air to expel any residual dust and dirt.

Sometimes your sound settings accidentally change. You can check that your sound settings are set as default by going to the Start button, clicking on the Control Panel button, and selecting Sound. When you are in the sound options, select Set Defaults.

If resetting your sound settings does not fix the problem, then the next step is to check for software problems. You can do this by going into the manufacturer's website and downloading and installing newly updated sound drivers.

If the problems continue after you checked your sound settings and installed new drivers, then the next option is to check your sound card. First, replace the sound card in your laptop. Then, find a sound card test from the manufacture's website to see if the replacement functions properly.

Your computer will not connect to the internet

Power cycling can be used in order to strengthen the reset the router. This process involves shutting off the router and unplugging any electrical cords. It is customary to leave the router unplugged for at least thirty seconds for the router to refresh itself.

Soft resets can also be used in order to refresh the connection between the router and the modem. To do a soft reset, unplug the Ethernet cable connecting both the router and modem together. After waiting a few seconds, plug back in the Ethernet cable and check your internet connection.

Reset your modem, or simply unplug it and plug it back in. Reconfigure the modem for your internet connection.Worst case scenario, you will be required to call your internet service provider, whose technical support employees will assist in remotely getting your modem to work.

Try connecting to the internet through an Ethernet cable. If the internet works, then you know that the problem is in the wireless router, or in the wireless receiver of the laptop.

Try resetting the Gateway by holding down the reset button for thirty seconds. Unplug the power cable from the computer and wait thirty seconds. Plug the power cable back in, boot the computer and configure for internet connection.

Perform a fresh install of Windows to eliminate the possibility of software issues.

If all else fails, then replacing the wireless card might be necessary. For help on taking out the wireless card, see the guide Gateway MD2614u Wireless Card Replacement.

The CMOS battery, more commonly referred to as the ‘Clock Battery,’ is the small battery that stores the settings and time of your computer when it is turned off and not connected to power. This battery often lasts the lifetime of the computer, but users of older devices may find that it no longer functions. As this is a hardware error, the only way to solve the problem will be to replace the CMOS battery.