What would you do with this garbage gateway

[travistee]

I bought a gateway FX7026 ( with the Intel DG33SXG2 )
It was a refurbished computer from Tigerdirect.
I bought it because the parts are worth more than the whole box.
It has a core 2 quad Q9300.
Naturally it was delivered with problems.
CPU goes up to 61C compressing videos.
Only 57C doing a virus scan.
47C idle.

Gateway first told me to get another fan and run it in a cooler room.
Then they said they would take it back for repair.

Would you:

1. send it back for the repair
2. pay an extra $109 for an extended 1 year warranty so I could
keep using it then have it repaired on site.
3. Take it apart and use the parts to build another system
4. Try a good HSF to see if that fixes the problem. ( it could be the motherboard, not the HSF.

[zandrax]

Re: What would you do with this garbage gateway

I bought a gateway FX7026 ( with the Intel DG33SXG2 )
It was a refurbished computer from Tigerdirect.
I bought it because the parts are worth more than the whole box.
It has a core 2 quad Q9300.
Naturally it was delivered with problems.
CPU goes up to 61C compressing videos.
Only 57C doing a virus scan.
47C idle.

The load temps (57 and 61 Celsius degrees) seem very good to me, the idle one could be 5 to 10 degrees lower but it doesn't bother me much: what's the matter?

Gateway first told me to get another fan and run it in a cooler room.

What a smart guy! Such a pity a cooler room, I'd ask a plane ticket to Noth pole :p

1. send it back for the repair

Why? It doesn't seems broken.

2. pay an extra $109 for an extended 1 year warranty so I could keep using it then have it repaired on site.

If you're quite handy with computer and you already replaced an heatsink, there is no need for an extended warranty.

3. Take it apart and use the parts to build another system

Does this computer satisfy you? If it does, I see no reason in dismantle it.

4. Try a good HSF to see if that fixes the problem. ( it could be the motherboard, not the HSF.

First update the bios to the latest version, then install RMClock and reduce cpu voltages. Voltage reduction is a step-by-step procedure: for every multiplier you lower the voltage until you get instability (Prime95 complains about wrong results or, worse, the pc hangs), then set the sligthly higher value and test it for a few hours. You should be capable of running the cpu at a way lower vcore than default.
If temps are still too high, buy a socket 775 heatsink from the most effective and less noisy among those suggested by Frostytech: it should cost about $40-50.

Zandrax

[bgavin]

Re: What would you do with this garbage gateway

Look into a GOOD downdraft cooler, i.e. Noctua, Zipang, TR AXP-140 (not out yet), etc. You should use a bolt-through kit on all these, as they are all HEAVY coolers. 1200rpm 140mm fans move a lot of air, and are reasonably quiet.

I suggest downdraft, because everybody is ga-ga over the side draft coolers, and forgetting about the breeze is required across the VRM for cooling. If your VRM is entirely heat-piped, this is a non-issue. Most are not.

Downdraft also cools those very hot Northbridge chips. The Zipang does a great job of this (I own three). I use the Red Scorpion 140mm fan instead of the factory slug fan. I get ample VRM cooling and a pretty quiet fan. The factory fan is simply too slow. Dead quiet, though.

You can use the Thermalright bolt-through 775 kit with the Zipang. It is a *huge* PITA to install, but it works well. Board removal is mandatory. Pay attention... you might have connector problems with the Zipang in the way.

***

IMO this machine is a piece of shit. There is nothing I like about the machine, after having two of them shit the bed for one of my clients. Gateway service is simply dreadful, and they should go bankrupt and go away. I wouldn't recommend a Gateway to anyone. Well, an enemy, maybe.

***

If you have to reinstall this machine, you will find a slipstreamed CD with the Intel and ITE combo driver pack is required. No floppy controller on board, and 99.44% of all USB floppies are not recognized by the XP text installer. Slipstreaming is what is needed.

This machine also comes with a VIXS or some-such media controller. Sorry, Vista only... no XP drivers available. Remove card, discard.

Junk.

[travistee]

Re: What would you do with this garbage gateway

This is what Intel gave me on the temp questions:
-------------
The maximum operating temperature of the Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad processor Q9300 is 71.4 degrees Celsius. As long as the processor is operating under this temperature it is operating within specifications. We do not have a normal operating temperature for the processor as this temperature will vary depending on the chassis and other hardware installed on the system as well as the actual load the software is placing on the processor.

You may verify the thermal information for this processor here:
http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SLAWE

There is always going to be a 5-to-10-degree difference between cores because there is a main core, which is going to have the constant load of the system (even when this is at idle conditions) and a secondary core that the motherboard and the operating system would determine when to function.
---------------

What happens if I try to use the gateway Vista install CD with a different Mobo?

[zandrax]

Re: What would you do with this garbage gateway

The maximum operating temperature of the Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad processor Q9300 is 71.4 degrees Celsius.

All right, replace the heatsink.

What happens if I try to use the gateway Vista install CD with a different Mobo?

Some discs are system restore ones and will run only on same brand computers (they check manifacturer ID in bios); others are plain OEM Dvds so they can be theorically installed only on the licensed machine. In practice you can install on any computer provided you have an OEM serial code matching the hardware: if not, you'll have to explain Microsoft your case (e.g. I replaced the motherboard).

Zandrax