How To for Gateway Computers

[PtBetsie]

I have a PIII Gateway Computer *(833mHz) which is almost ready to pass onto a student. My concerns are with the hard drive which is very noisy. I could replace the hard drive IF I could figure out how to get it out of the pc. Gateway no longer has a support program and all inquiries are referred to another company. That company does not have documentation listed for selection. There are green slide bars on all the drive bays. I tried moving the one for the HD into both possible positions but the HD just will not budge. The drive cage does not come out as it is riveted in place. Has anyone worked on a PIII who could give me a suggestion on how to extract the HD?

[Sun-Tzu]

What is the model number on the Gateway? You may still be able to find the manual somewhere online.

[PtBetsie]

There's no model no on the pc; only a serial no. That number leads me to MJC which is of no help.

[FTT]

There has to be something, a series number like, Gateway2000 etc?

Have you removed the back panel, is there rear, bottom or opposite side screws retaining it? It went in, it has to be able to come out.

If you are still confused to the model, try running Belarc Advisor or Everst Home from the drive if still usable or a live cd, etc.

[Relztrah]

PtBetsie,

I've torn apart a lot of Gateways and otherwise and regardless of how the HDD is fixed in the case, there is a way to remove it. Sometimes you have to "pinch" the two bars together to release the drives. Often times there are screws on either side and you have to remove both sides of the case to access the screws at the back of the drive bay. Also, try taking off the front cover to see if that reveals a screw or two that have to be removed to take the drive out. The front cover often has three tabs along the side that have to be pressed in simultaneously in order to pop to cover off. Not a problem if you have three hands! :) Other front covers simply push in and hold with pressure and will pop off with a good tug.

I learned how to get at the guts of any computer not by consulting a manual or exploded view (although that's certainly the best way) but through trial and error. (More of the later than the former.) Get in there with a flashlight and remove anything that can be removed and you'll probably see what's holding the drives in place.