[mgrah123]

Recently I started getting a message on start-up reading "AMD data change..Update new data to DMI" and then my computer would either load windows or read "failure to load operating system" under "Boot from cd:".

It just started going through some Nvidia boot agent and telling me to enter system disc and press enter. Nothing happened when I did this. I tried to reinstall the operating system but so far it is not working for me. I got a lucky reboot and that's how I am on the computer now writing this since the computer runs perfectly fine once it gets booted.

I have no idea what to do and have been looking in my BIOs and searching tech support forums all day.

Gateway GT5662 Desktop Computer
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-Core
Processor Count: 4
RAM: 3069 Mb
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT , 256 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 465643 MB, Free - 442493 MB; D: Total - 11295 MB, Free - 4588 MB;
Motherboard: ECS, MCP61PM-GM, 2.1
Edit: system specs

[crjdriver]

From your post it seems that the system is not finding the hard drive. To start troubleshooting, I would do the following;
1 Open the case and reseat the connections for you hard drive; both data cable and pw connector. Make sure you reseat both ends of the data cable.

2 With that old of a system, I would replace the cmos battery as well when you are in the case. These are cheap and available at just about any store. Even walmart has them.

3 Once done with that, restart the system and enter the bios. Load defaults; save settings and restart.

4 Find out who made the hard drive [look on the label] download and run the drive maker's diagnostic for the drive. Note most of these have a dos or boot version and a windows version. Get the boot version and make the boot CD. Test the hard drive with the diagnostic.

Post back with how it works out.

One other item I see. The even # first generation amd quad cores ie 9500, 9600, etc have problems. There was a bios update to fix this issue. Check to see if you have the update installed and option enabled in the bios. This does not pertain to your current issue, just something I noticed from your specs.

[mgrah123]

Okay I had disconnected the hard drive yesterday when trying to figure out the problem, and I am positive I completely removed the data cable and put it back in. I have been afraid to shut the computer off since I got it booted at about 5 am this morning.

I downloaded WD data diagnostics lifeguard and am going to run an extended scan on my hard drive and also have a CMOS battery on the way to me right now.

I am not sure once I power off and install the new CMOS battery that I will be able to boot it up again(probably why you said to get the boot version of HDD diag.) but I don't have any discs to put it on.

We will see what happens and if I can't boot up I will have to go to a friend's house to update the thread.

[crjdriver]

CDRs are almost free now with rebates, etc. I was at Staples a few days ago and they had a 100 pack of disks for $9.99 <10cents per disk.

I much prefer the dos or boot version over the windows version. It removes windows from the problem.

[mgrah123]

Yea I just don't really have the extra cash right now but hopefully my buddy has some still.
Should I replace the battery before running the hard drive diagnostic or does it not matter?
I was going to run the scan which says it could possible take a few hours, and run to my friends for a disc while I let the diagnostic tool run.

Is the battery a number 1 priority before the diagnostics?

[crjdriver]

Just run the diagnostic on the drive. Install the battery when you get a chance. It is most likely a 2032 battery and they are around $3 at walmart.

[mgrah123]

Yea it's a 2032 I checked it earlier but my errand girl at walmart couldn't find it so I will have to go tomorrow.

Will run diagnostics and update when finished.

[crjdriver]

It is in the camera dept. The same battery is used in my dog's bark collar.

[mgrah123]

Well just got home and the extended test as well as the quick test came back as successful(Pass).

I am really at a loss here. Tomorrow I will toss a new CMOS battery in and reset the BIOS to defaults.

I am not too familiar with the BIOS setting at all. I browsed it a bit when trying to figure the problem out for myself but really didn't do anything other than change boot order between hdd/cd-rom and I know they were reset to default on my last bootup.

Edit: maybe I didn't use the right diagnostic tool?

I downloaded a Western Digital Data LifeGuard Diagnostics ran the quick test and then an extended test that took about 2 hours.

[crjdriver]

If the drive checks out OK, then really the only other thing it can be is a failing mb. I assume you have tried a new data cable and a different pw connector for the drive. I doubt that is the problem however it never hurts to check.

ECS is not noted for being a quality mfg of mb so it is not unusual for one to fail.

[mgrah123]

Ouch! Well that hurts, I don't know what I am going to do now. Do you think it would be possible for me to find a similar mb or the same one so I don't have to switch out any other parts?

Edit: nvm I can search for it since my computer is on(and going to stay on).
http://www.ecrater.com/p/8617509/gat...mcp61pm-gm-am2 Decent deal? I couldn't find it on newegg or any other electronics places.

WHen the mb fails will I know by it not booting at all?

[crjdriver]

It might be possible however there are problems;

1 You have a gateway so if you swap boards, you must buy a retail copy of windows. The oem ver that came with your gateway is only legal on the original hardware OR the mfg designated replace mb. You would have to buy the board from gateway and that is very expensive.

2 IMO that old of a system is not worth putting much money into. It is at least 3 generations old technology. If it were me, I would save my money until I could build a system. You can salvage some parts from your current system ie keyboard/mouse, optical drive, floppy drive, etc.

[crjdriver]

One last idea. Do you have a sata drive or an ide type drive? The board you have supports both.

[mgrah123]

Haha alright, Should I just leave this beast running until she quits on me? So at least I can still have a computer for x amount of time.

[mgrah123]

sata I believe
yea I just googled sata vs ide and it's sata