Hi I am trying to get a+ certified so I opened up and explored my drives and motherboard, cpu, HDD etc. and then I made the mistake of taking out my memory module which is 128MB then I reinserted it and tried to start my computer but nothing started only the power button turned a strange amber color and now I need all the help i can get PLZ help!

Does 'nothing started' mean no fans spin, hard drives don't spin, no activity lights on the cdrom? If so, it sounds like a PSU problem. If it's got a 115/230 voltage switch make sure it's in the correct position. Make sure the PSU-to-motherboard connection is tightly installed.

Or does it mean the fans and drives spin up but no posting screen? Do you get any beeps? Remove the memory stick. Do you get any beeps now? You'd normally get some 'memory error' beeps if there's a problem with the memory or it's not there. If you get no beeps the problem is probably not with the memory stick. Make sure any cards are firmly seated. You may want to remove all except the video card and see if things improve.

I'd suggest removing and reinstalling the cpu but if you got into this much trouble with just removing the memory stick it's probably best to wait on doing anything with the cpu.

While inside the case did you remove and then reattach any data cables? If so, make sure they're reconnected correctly. Or temporarily disconnect them and see if anything improves when you boot up.

If you get beeps, check the code:

http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beep...

Your gateway probably has a phoenix bios.

It's probably best to remove and reinstall the memory. Clean the slot with compressed air to remove any dust. Make sure the memory stick contacts are clean. The stick will only fit in one way but it's possible to jam it in backwards and have it almost seem to be in correctly. So make sure the notch in the stick matches with the raised tab in the memory slot.

Well yes It does have a 115/230 volt switch on it and when I switch it to 230 the fans come on but only the light when it is on 115 also I have already replaced the PSU around 4 years ago, otherwise I get no beeps and I cant install anything bc It doesnt get the signal to my monitor. My HDD does not spin at all. While inside I didnt remove any IDE or data cables

I think you may have damaged your power supply and possible other components as well.

Playing around with the voltage switch is not something to be recommend. It is something you get right first time, not something to experiment with as you normally don't get a second chance.

You should know the mains voltage of the country your are in. Set it at that and then leave it.

Stuart

If you live in an area where 115VAC is the normal current then setting the voltage selector to 230VAC will NOT harm the components. You are in essence stepping the voltage down to 62.5VAC when doing that.

Football

You evidently have something connected wrong or not fully seated.

If you have removed components with the computer plugged in THEN you may have damaged some components. Modern systems always have power to the motherboard if the computer is connected to the AC power and the PSU switch, if so equipped, is on.

Give more detail for more comprehensive help.

Yes I live in an area where the Alternate current is 120v standard so Thats good it wouldnt harm any components but I reinspected It and noticed a power cable that was hidden in the other power cables and I asked one of my friends for advice and he said It is probably just an extra but I saw a few open ports and I guess I shouldn t try to plug it in any of the ports bc if im not sure then I would most likely damage some of the components on my motherboard bc the plugs were directly on the motherboard. Is it possible if I leave my pc with no power for a long period of time the system clock could get unsynchronized?

If you are referring to the power connectors like are in use on your drives, there may be extra connectors attached to the power supply. That is actually a good thing. Mny times PSUs don't have enought leads and you must use splitters.

As far as the extra leads causing damage, I suppose it might be possible but unlikely that could happen.

More likely you haven't reassembled something correctly.

BTW, I suggest you do some basic reading and hang here for awhile before taking things apart again.

The cmos battery on the motherboard keeps track of the date, time and other settings when the PC is off. So you don't need it to be powered up to keep time. And if the battery goes dead or is removed, no big deal, you just replace it and reset the date and time.