Member Avatar for jcrawford777

I have a Gateway MX7340 laptop that is two years old. Windows XP SP2. When I power it up all I get is a black screen and I do not hear any processes running, only the fan. Nothing happens at all. The computer did not come with a start up disc. Any ideas???

Edited by Ezzaral because: zombie
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Good next steps depend on whether the laptop is failing to POST or only the display path is down. Building on ’s video-output check and ’s power/EC reset tip, try to narrow it like this:

  • Strip to minimum hardware. Remove drives (HDD/SSD and optical), the Wi‑Fi card, and any USB devices. Boot with a single known‑good SO‑DIMM. If there are two memory slots, test one module in each slot, one at a time. A bad slot will block POST even with good RAM. If you get any beep/LED error pattern, note it; memory- or video‑related codes point you in the right direction.

  • Differentiate panel/backlight vs. no‑video. With the machine powered on, shine a bright flashlight at an angle across the LCD in a dark room. If you can just make out a faint desktop, the GPU is drawing but the panel is not lighting. On older MX‑series, that often means a failed CCFL inverter or its cable; on newer panels it could be the LED driver or LCD cable. If you cannot see a faint image and an external screen stays dark too, suspect GPU or motherboard.

  • Watch for symptoms of power shorts. ’s note that the power LED drops out immediately when the button is pressed usually indicates a short on a rail. Try AC‑only (battery removed) and battery‑only (AC removed). If it still cuts instantly with RAM removed, the fault is likely on the board or DC‑in circuitry.

  • Context for Gateway P‑68xx FX owners (): those models shipped with discrete NVIDIA graphics. A unit that powers fans and LEDs but never shows internal or external video after the basics above commonly has a failed GPU/motherboard. Repair typically means a board swap; “reflow” fixes are temporary at best.

Also check the lid‑closed sensor: strong magnets in phone cases, watch bands, or desk accessories near the palm rest can make the laptop think the lid is shut, blanking the display. Moving the magnet away or testing in a different spot can rule that out quickly.

Recommended Answers

All 12 Replies

Member Avatar for disophisis

If the computer runs and has no display try the reseating the memory modules, as usually the video does not work if there's a problem with the memory.

First, try plugging in an auxiliary monitor into the VGA port if this laptop has one, and see if you get a picture from it.

Also, try the Fn key, cycling this key may make a display work whereas it would not before.

Member Avatar for jcrawford777

Thanks, I will give these things a try and let you know. JC

Member Avatar for myboo23

If the computer runs and has no display try the reseating the memory modules, as usually the video does not work if there's a problem with the memory.

First, try plugging in an auxiliary monitor into the VGA port if this laptop has one, and see if you get a picture from it.

Also, try the Fn key, cycling this key may make a display work whereas it would not before.

i have tried to do the fn and plugging in another monitor and still nothing happens at all

Member Avatar for myboo23

I have a gateway laptop and the screen is black. i can hear it when i turn it up as if its going to start up but thats all it does. i can see the lights to let me know that the power works but thats all. i have plugged in another monitor to the laptop and i have tried the fn key and still nothing works.

Member Avatar for yomomma

Try taking out the laptop battery, holding down the power button for 10-15 seconds, pop the battery abck in, then power it on, your screen should come back.

Member Avatar for ghost_marquez

I have the same problem and tried all of these remedies to no avail. If there is anything else to try and remedy the problem it, would be a great help.

Member Avatar for lundgren_o

Did you guys solve this problem? Ive got the same with a Gateway p6860fx.
screen just black
cant use hdmi, or connect it to another pc.
tried with different ram modules.

Member Avatar for charsle

hello, i have a gateway laptop power off,when i plugge in the ac adepter the power
led indicator will come on but when i press the power button it will go off. any solution?

Member Avatar for charsle

thank you.

Member Avatar for rayed26

@ YOMAMA
Thanks I have been trying since Christmas 2010 to get my monitor to come on and nothing helped. I did what you said by taking battery out holding power button. Soon as I put the battery back in I have a screen :) thanks again

Member Avatar for Greenla96

I have a gateway Gt5428 , I can see the cursor come up but everything else is black, Please help

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Member Avatar for Rik_

You need to start a new thread. This one dates back to 2007!

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