Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

First, for a personal computer, is the phrase "power transformer" often used
interchangeably with "power supply"? Below I am assuming yes.

I purchased a Gateway Essential 900c in September, 2001. I get a fair amount of
crashes (freezes; requires shutdown; reboot with scan) with it. A friend told
me Gateways were notorious for having poor power transformers.

In others' experience, would it be worthwhile to replace the power transformer?

What's the identifying information on the transformer (so I know what to ask for
at a shop)?

About how much should the transformer cost?

Where is it located inside the casing? (I'll also start researching this on my
own. I have had the computer apart for cleaning before. I'm pretty handy and
have a decent mechanical and electrical background.)

What's a good place to buy a transformer?

Might E-bay have these transformers?

Thanks in advance.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

He is suggesting to replace the power supply. There is no power
transformer as such,in these computers. The power supply comes as a
complete interchangable module. If you are not familiar with this,
take the machine to an authorised computer store for your make of
machine, and let them fix it for you. This way the job will be done
right.

Jerry G.
========


"Caroline" wrote in message hlink.net...
First, for a personal computer, is the phrase "power transformer" often used
interchangeably with "power supply"? Below I am assuming yes.

I purchased a Gateway Essential 900c in September, 2001. I get a fair amount of
crashes (freezes; requires shutdown; reboot with scan) with it. A friend told
me Gateways were notorious for having poor power transformers.

In others' experience, would it be worthwhile to replace the power transformer?

What's the identifying information on the transformer (so I know what to ask for
at a shop)?

About how much should the transformer cost?

Where is it located inside the casing? (I'll also start researching this on my
own. I have had the computer apart for cleaning before. I'm pretty handy and
have a decent mechanical and electrical background.)

What's a good place to buy a transformer?

Might E-bay have these transformers?

Thanks in advance.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

Caroline wrote:
First, for a personal computer, is the phrase "power transformer" often used
interchangeably with "power supply"? Below I am assuming yes.

I purchased a Gateway Essential 900c in September, 2001. I get a fair amount of
crashes (freezes; requires shutdown; reboot with scan) with it. A friend told
me Gateways were notorious for having poor power transformers.

In others' experience, would it be worthwhile to replace the power transformer?

What's the identifying information on the transformer (so I know what to ask for
at a shop)?

About how much should the transformer cost?

Where is it located inside the casing? (I'll also start researching this on my
own. I have had the computer apart for cleaning before. I'm pretty handy and
have a decent mechanical and electrical background.)

What's a good place to buy a transformer?

Might E-bay have these transformers?

Thanks in advance.



The problem may not be hardware at all. If you are using Windows 9x or
ME, Microsoft is most likely the problem.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

A computer of that age may very well be suffering from the bad electrolytic
cap problem. Go to this thread on that problem.
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e... .windows.misc

If the link doesn't work, it's at comp.windows.misc and look for the subject
"computer resetting - may not be windows' fault but please help".

WT


"Bennett Price" wrote in message
m...
Caroline wrote:
First, for a personal computer, is the phrase "power transformer" often
used
interchangeably with "power supply"? Below I am assuming yes.

I purchased a Gateway Essential 900c in September, 2001. I get a fair
amount of
crashes (freezes; requires shutdown; reboot with scan) with it. A
friend told
me Gateways were notorious for having poor power transformers.

In others' experience, would it be worthwhile to replace the power
transformer?

What's the identifying information on the transformer (so I know what to
ask for
at a shop)?

About how much should the transformer cost?

Where is it located inside the casing? (I'll also start researching this
on my
own. I have had the computer apart for cleaning before. I'm pretty handy
and
have a decent mechanical and electrical background.)

What's a good place to buy a transformer?

Might E-bay have these transformers?

Thanks in advance.



The problem may not be hardware at all. If you are using Windows 9x or
ME, Microsoft is most likely the problem.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

Thanks, Wayne. I read the thread and went to the www.badcaps.net site that a
poster suggested. Very interesting.

Thanks also, Jerry and Bennett.

Update:

I carefully inspected the capacitors and none are leaking. Nor do they appear to
be bulging. Also, the badcaps.net site suggests that massive motherboard
capacitor problems may have only begun shortly after I purchased my computer in
September, 2001. So I think I have lucked out on this count.

Without too much difficulty I disconnected and removed the 90-Watt power supply
and took its dimensions. After some research and leg work, it turns out the big
trick in replacing it is that it's a "micro" size. CompUSA had a perfect fit 150
Watt version for $70 at its store; online CompUSA had a $33 (taking into account
shipping) 145 Watt version.

Ebay also lists many 145 W and higher Watt versions whose dimensions and screw
holes appear to fit dead-on, too. Lowest price with shipping = $32 at the
moment.

I drove to three independent computer shops and they had nothing that would
physically fit. Also, they were not optimistic I'd find one locally.

Again, I don't know if a new power supply will improve my computer's
performance. Like Bennett said, it could be a software problem. Or it could be
something else. It's not crippling my computer use, but I figure it can't hurt
to replace the power supply. I did clean the power supply fan more thoroughly
than I ever have, so maybe this will help, too.

I will watch Ebay for a week or so then make a decision.

Whatever happens, I have a little more command of how the hardware of my
computer goes together and look forward to maybe putting together my own when
this one dies. So I appreciate everyone's "community service" in offering
assistance here and shall try to return the same "service" to others.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

When capacitors are mentioned as leaky, they mean "electricaly leaky",
and not physicaly leaky. You will need the proper test instruments to
really determine if a cap is electricaly leaky or not. On some
occasions, they can leak some electrolyte if they were severly
overheated, but this is not very often.

To properly test caps, an ESR meter, and a true capacitance meter are
required. Or, a proper capacitor analyser can be used. Each one does a
different type of test, to determine if the cap is defective or not.

In the case of a power supply, these are normaly changed as a complete
module. The value of the parts and the time involved to service one,
is not very viable. Also, the manufactures do not support component
level service on power supplies and cards.

You should call the manufacture of your computer for proper and safe
power supply. It not only has to physicaly fit, but you also want it
to be electricly rated, and electricaly safe for your application.

Before changing the supply, you should take the machine to a proper
computer service centre to have it properly evaluated, so you know
that for sure the supply is defective. You may end up spending money
on a new supply, and the machine will still have the same fault!

Jerry G.
http://www.zoom-one.com

--


"Caroline" wrote in message nk.net...
Thanks, Wayne. I read the thread and went to the www.badcaps.net site that a
poster suggested. Very interesting.

Thanks also, Jerry and Bennett.

Update:

I carefully inspected the capacitors and none are leaking. Nor do they appear to
be bulging. Also, the badcaps.net site suggests that massive motherboard
capacitor problems may have only begun shortly after I purchased my computer in
September, 2001. So I think I have lucked out on this count.

Without too much difficulty I disconnected and removed the 90-Watt power supply
and took its dimensions. After some research and leg work, it turns out the big
trick in replacing it is that it's a "micro" size. CompUSA had a perfect fit 150
Watt version for $70 at its store; online CompUSA had a $33 (taking into account
shipping) 145 Watt version.

Ebay also lists many 145 W and higher Watt versions whose dimensions and screw
holes appear to fit dead-on, too. Lowest price with shipping = $32 at the
moment.

I drove to three independent computer shops and they had nothing that would
physically fit. Also, they were not optimistic I'd find one locally.

Again, I don't know if a new power supply will improve my computer's
performance. Like Bennett said, it could be a software problem. Or it could be
something else. It's not crippling my computer use, but I figure it can't hurt
to replace the power supply. I did clean the power supply fan more thoroughly
than I ever have, so maybe this will help, too.

I will watch Ebay for a week or so then make a decision.

Whatever happens, I have a little more command of how the hardware of my
computer goes together and look forward to maybe putting together my own when
this one dies. So I appreciate everyone's "community service" in offering
assistance here and shall try to return the same "service" to others.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

In this particular instance, leaking meant leaving a brown trail on my
motherboard! I had 2 leaking and running down the board, 12 more that had
bulged tops, of which most of those had started to puke a bit of electrolyte
out the top, and one still good. However, I replaced it also. :-)
Computer works just fine now.

WT

"Jerry Greenberg" wrote in message
om...
When capacitors are mentioned as leaky, they mean "electricaly leaky",
and not physicaly leaky. You will need the proper test instruments to
really determine if a cap is electricaly leaky or not. On some
occasions, they can leak some electrolyte if they were severly
overheated, but this is not very often.

To properly test caps, an ESR meter, and a true capacitance meter are
required. Or, a proper capacitor analyser can be used. Each one does a
different type of test, to determine if the cap is defective or not.

In the case of a power supply, these are normaly changed as a complete
module. The value of the parts and the time involved to service one,
is not very viable. Also, the manufactures do not support component
level service on power supplies and cards.

You should call the manufacture of your computer for proper and safe
power supply. It not only has to physicaly fit, but you also want it
to be electricly rated, and electricaly safe for your application.

Before changing the supply, you should take the machine to a proper
computer service centre to have it properly evaluated, so you know
that for sure the supply is defective. You may end up spending money
on a new supply, and the machine will still have the same fault!

Jerry G.
http://www.zoom-one.com

--


"Caroline" wrote in message
nk.net...
Thanks, Wayne. I read the thread and went to the www.badcaps.net site
that a
poster suggested. Very interesting.

Thanks also, Jerry and Bennett.

Update:

I carefully inspected the capacitors and none are leaking. Nor do they
appear to
be bulging. Also, the badcaps.net site suggests that massive motherboard
capacitor problems may have only begun shortly after I purchased my
computer in
September, 2001. So I think I have lucked out on this count.

Without too much difficulty I disconnected and removed the 90-Watt power
supply
and took its dimensions. After some research and leg work, it turns out
the big
trick in replacing it is that it's a "micro" size. CompUSA had a perfect
fit 150
Watt version for $70 at its store; online CompUSA had a $33 (taking into
account
shipping) 145 Watt version.

Ebay also lists many 145 W and higher Watt versions whose dimensions and
screw
holes appear to fit dead-on, too. Lowest price with shipping = $32 at
the
moment.

I drove to three independent computer shops and they had nothing that
would
physically fit. Also, they were not optimistic I'd find one locally.

Again, I don't know if a new power supply will improve my computer's
performance. Like Bennett said, it could be a software problem. Or it
could be
something else. It's not crippling my computer use, but I figure it
can't hurt
to replace the power supply. I did clean the power supply fan more
thoroughly
than I ever have, so maybe this will help, too.

I will watch Ebay for a week or so then make a decision.

Whatever happens, I have a little more command of how the hardware of my
computer goes together and look forward to maybe putting together my own
when
this one dies. So I appreciate everyone's "community service" in
offering
assistance here and shall try to return the same "service" to others.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

Jerry Greenberg wrote:


You should call the manufacture of your computer for proper and safe
power supply. It not only has to physicaly fit, but you also want it
to be electricly rated, and electricaly safe for your application.

Before changing the supply, you should take the machine to a proper
computer service centre to have it properly evaluated, so you know
that for sure the supply is defective. You may end up spending money
on a new supply, and the machine will still have the same fault!

Jerry G.
http://www.zoom-one.com

Just curious. Do the Gateway rigs use something other than the typical
PC power supply or is this some laptop version? Easy enough to just
borrow one for a try-and-see test.

It really doesn't make much sense to repair at a component level
motherboards and PC power supplies unless one is simply doing it as a
hobby. There's SOOO many things that could cause the OPs scenario and
my first suspicion would be software problems. An old version of
Netscape (for example) will often misbehave as described. My rig
crashed daily when I was using Netscape 4.7.

They (computers) can be fun to play with. If the goal is to save money
on repairs its not gonna likely happen with a few simple discrete
component replacements.

But hey, go for it. Its a learning experience and if I hadn't been thru
this scenario several times then I couldn't give advice. While you're
learning, keep your eye open for a good deal on another rig.

-Bill

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

On Thu, 29 Apr 2004 18:18:53 GMT, "Caroline"
wrote:

First, for a personal computer, is the phrase "power transformer" often used
interchangeably with "power supply"? Below I am assuming yes.

I purchased a Gateway Essential 900c in September, 2001. I get a fair amount of
crashes (freezes; requires shutdown; reboot with scan) with it. A friend told
me Gateways were notorious for having poor power transformers.

Sounds like a typical spyware/virus infestation. Suggest running Spybot Search
and Destroy as well as AVG Antivirus, both available as freeware from their
respective sites.

http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Alan Harriman

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

On 30 Apr 2004 15:57:45 -0700, (Jerry Greenberg)
wrote:

When capacitors are mentioned as leaky, they mean "electricaly leaky",
and not physicaly leaky. You will need the proper test instruments to
really determine if a cap is electricaly leaky or not. On some
occasions, they can leak some electrolyte if they were severly
overheated, but this is not very often.


Actually the hoopla over the MB caps was that the caps would
physically leak their electrolyte all over the MB. The impact was
two-fold in that the caps lost their capacitance and the goo would eat
into the traces. I've tossed over a dozen MBs at work so far.

For the original poster, start by checking that all of the fans are
still working. In particular the CPU fan. It's more likely that
you've got a bad fan than a bad power supply. Also beware that the
off-brand $32 power supplies are not exactly high quality. Your
original, even after so many years, is probably a better unit.

You're frequent crashes are probably software related. Given the
vintage, you probably have Win95 or Win98. Both were very buggy and
over time eventually become unstable. Of all the Win9x machines at
work, I've yet to have one make it more than 3 years without reaching
the point where it needed nuked and reinstalled. Of course, now they
get Windows 2000 installed...

-Chris

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

wrote in message
...
On 30 Apr 2004 15:57:45 -0700, (Jerry Greenberg)
wrote:

When capacitors are mentioned as leaky, they mean "electricaly leaky",
and not physicaly leaky. You will need the proper test instruments to
really determine if a cap is electricaly leaky or not. On some
occasions, they can leak some electrolyte if they were severly
overheated, but this is not very often.


Actually the hoopla over the MB caps was that the caps would
physically leak their electrolyte all over the MB. The impact was
two-fold in that the caps lost their capacitance and the goo would eat
into the traces. I've tossed over a dozen MBs at work so far.

For the original poster, start by checking that all of the fans are
still working. In particular the CPU fan. It's more likely that
you've got a bad fan than a bad power supply. Also beware that the
off-brand $32 power supplies are not exactly high quality. Your
original, even after so many years, is probably a better unit.

You're frequent crashes are probably software related. Given the
vintage, you probably have Win95 or Win98. Both were very buggy and
over time eventually become unstable. Of all the Win9x machines at
work, I've yet to have one make it more than 3 years without reaching
the point where it needed nuked and reinstalled. Of course, now they
get Windows 2000 installed...

-Chris


Chris, just a small comment regarding your Win95/98 stability stuff... I
have Win98SE system that went just fine for FIVE years until I actually had
to completely format the system drive... Win98SE is the most stable OS out
of that family (and I'd suggest NOT to install any Windows updates on system
installed from original CD - those updates were THE biggest headache).

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

wrote
snip
For the original poster, start by checking that all of the fans are
still working. In particular the CPU fan. It's more likely that
you've got a bad fan than a bad power supply.

The fan works fine, thanks.

Sometimes I get a weird noise at startup that seem to be coming from the power
supply (possibly specifically its fan). Sounds like a motor scraping against a
casing? The noise goes away after a few minutes. Been like this for a couple of
years.

But it's too much to ask anyone to diagnose something like this sight unseen.
Just noting...

Also beware that the
off-brand $32 power supplies are not exactly high quality. Your
original, even after so many years, is probably a better unit.

Okay. Someone emailed me in private with a similar comment (and many other
thoughts).

You're frequent crashes are probably software related. Given the
vintage, you probably have Win95 or Win98.

No, it's Windows ME.

Both were very buggy and
over time eventually become unstable. Of all the Win9x machines at
work, I've yet to have one make it more than 3 years without reaching
the point where it needed nuked and reinstalled. Of course, now they
get Windows 2000 installed...

Note to exray: It's a desktop computer.

To others saying a shop could perhaps better troubleshoot: The situation is not
crippling. Also, with my last computer, a shop took my money, kept the computer
a week, and failed to repair the problem. Sure, maybe I just had a bad shop. But
no, I do not have money to throw away and I am fairly savvy-engineering wise
(though computer hardware is relatively new). So I'm about somewhere that Bill
says. Namely, no need to look for a new rig yet and definitely inclined to
experiment on my own.

I doubt it's a virus. I use a modem and don't download garbage in emails.

Of course as others suggest, the problem could be software or something else I
haven't figured out yet.

I appreciate everyone's input.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

"Caroline" wrote in message
link.net...
wrote
snip
For the original poster, start by checking that all of the fans are
still working. In particular the CPU fan. It's more likely that
you've got a bad fan than a bad power supply.

The fan works fine, thanks.

Sometimes I get a weird noise at startup that seem to be coming from the
power
supply (possibly specifically its fan). Sounds like a motor scraping
against a
casing? The noise goes away after a few minutes. Been like this for a
couple of
years.

But it's too much to ask anyone to diagnose something like this sight
unseen.
Just noting...

Actually, that one's easy. The lube in the fan is drying up, and it takes a
bit of time to warm up to the point where it flows and the fan works
quietly. The sound you hear is either the bearings scraping metal-to-metal;
or else the bearings themselves have worn themselves to the point that the
fan blade is no longer centered and is scraping against the housing until
air flow dynamically centers it.

Either way, a new fan is indicated. Relubrication is possible, but may be
beyond your skills; and is sometimes only a stop-gap solution (I've had
pretty good luck at it...about four out of five....). Of course, a new
power supply would 'include' a new fan....

jak
snip

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

You're frequent crashes are probably software related. Given the
vintage, you probably have Win95 or Win98.

No, it's Windows ME.


Eew. Even worse. :}

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

"jakdedert" wrote
"Caroline" wrote
wrote
snip
For the original poster, start by checking that all of the fans are
still working. In particular the CPU fan. It's more likely that
you've got a bad fan than a bad power supply.

The fan works fine, thanks.

Sometimes I get a weird noise at startup that seem to be coming from the
power
supply (possibly specifically its fan). Sounds like a motor scraping
against a
casing? The noise goes away after a few minutes. Been like this for a
couple of
years.

But it's too much to ask anyone to diagnose something like this sight
unseen.
Just noting...

Actually, that one's easy. The lube in the fan is drying up, and it takes a
bit of time to warm up to the point where it flows and the fan works
quietly. The sound you hear is either the bearings scraping metal-to-metal;
or else the bearings themselves have worn themselves to the point that the
fan blade is no longer centered and is scraping against the housing until
air flow dynamically centers it.

Either way, a new fan is indicated. Relubrication is possible, but may be
beyond your skills; and is sometimes only a stop-gap solution (I've had
pretty good luck at it...about four out of five....). Of course, a new
power supply would 'include' a new fan....

I gave the re-lubrication a shot on Saturday. Took off the casing, took out the
power supply and removed its side panels, took off the fan grille, studied the
setup looking for bearings, pulled up the sticker in the center, and saw the
center move when I pushed the fan. Looked about as close as I could get to a
bearing. Put a few drops of "Zoom" oil in.

Sounds better. Haven't had the really big noise I have heard now and then in the
past.

Still shopping for power supplies. Found a Fortron at www.newegg.com IIRC for
around $40 total that I think I'm going to go for.

Thanks.

Gateway Computer: Replace Power Supply?
 

"Caroline" wrote in message
link.net...
"jakdedert" wrote
"Caroline" wrote
wrote
snip
For the original poster, start by checking that all of the fans are
still working. In particular the CPU fan. It's more likely that
you've got a bad fan than a bad power supply.

The fan works fine, thanks.

Sometimes I get a weird noise at startup that seem to be coming from
the
power
supply (possibly specifically its fan). Sounds like a motor scraping
against a
casing? The noise goes away after a few minutes. Been like this for a
couple of
years.

But it's too much to ask anyone to diagnose something like this sight
unseen.
Just noting...

Actually, that one's easy. The lube in the fan is drying up, and it
takes a
bit of time to warm up to the point where it flows and the fan works
quietly. The sound you hear is either the bearings scraping
metal-to-metal;
or else the bearings themselves have worn themselves to the point that
the
fan blade is no longer centered and is scraping against the housing
until
air flow dynamically centers it.

Either way, a new fan is indicated. Relubrication is possible, but may
be
beyond your skills; and is sometimes only a stop-gap solution (I've had
pretty good luck at it...about four out of five....). Of course, a new
power supply would 'include' a new fan....

I gave the re-lubrication a shot on Saturday. Took off the casing, took
out the
power supply and removed its side panels, took off the fan grille, studied
the
setup looking for bearings, pulled up the sticker in the center, and saw
the
center move when I pushed the fan. Looked about as close as I could get to
a
bearing. Put a few drops of "Zoom" oil in.

Sounds better. Haven't had the really big noise I have heard now and then
in the
past.

That's basically how it's done. I've washed the bearing out in the past
with degreaser (lighter fluid) before relubing, but couldn't tell you if
that worked better or not. In fact, in an emergency, I just squirted a bit
of lighter fluid in to re-flow the oil and resealed the fan. It worked
until I got around to actually doing it right.

One other thing I've taken to doing is packing with grease *after* doing all
the above. This, on the theory that if the bearings start to heat up, the
grease will melt into the bearing and provide a source of reserve
lubrication...pure supposition on my part, but I've had pretty good luck
getting them to last.

jak


Still shopping for power supplies. Found a Fortron at www.newegg.com IIRC
for
around $40 total that I think I'm going to go for.

Thanks.