Gateway shutdown problems?

[rgrne]

I have found a very good deal on a Gateway desktop with a Core2 Q8200 processor and am considering buying it. However, upon Googling for reviews and experiences by people who have bought Gateways, I have found all sorts of recent horror stories about Gateway computers of different models (both laptops and desktops) repeatedly shutting themselves off for no reason (hard shutoff, not a crash or freeze up) and people sending them back to Gateway, Gateway failing to fix them, people getting the run around etc. etc. This problem seems to have been occuring since at least late last year.

Some people have posted in forums to try to find what the problem may be. This usually results in multiple suggestions ranging from a weak power supply to a weak CPU fan to dust buildup to motherboard problems. Unfortunately, these people never seem to post again to tell the world which suggestion (if any) worked.

If this shutoff problem is just a fan issue or a power supply issue, I can deal with it. Both things can easily be replaced. If it is something more serious, or is of multiple or unknown causes, I am going to steer clear of anything with the name Gateway on it.

Does anyone know definitively what the cause of this issue with Gateway computers is? It appears rather widespread, so I am hoping that it has some simple root cause like the company trying to skimp on cost by using cheap weak fans or somesuch. Has anyone on this board encountered this problem with a Gateway computer and found the cause and the fix? Are there specific models that have this problem?

 

[PatPheFox]

why even bother with them, their just one of the many computer builders.

post the computer your thinking of buying pls.

 

[rgrne]

why even bother with them, their just one of the many computer builders.

post the computer your thinking of buying pls.

Gateway - Desktop with Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor
Model: SX2800-01 | SKU: 9352336

Intel® Core™2 Quad processor 8200; 4GB DDR3 memory; DL DVD±RW/CD-RW drive; Labelflash technology; 640GB hard drive;

This model just happens to be on sale at a local store, meaning I could get more bang for the buck vs. others that I looked at in the same price range - IF the thing works reliably.

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Yeah, sounds like it is a bad power supply problem. Due to that most of the companies put the bare minimum depending on the system.
And that computer has a 220W psu. It'd probably need an upgrade if it gives you those kind of problems.

 

[PatPheFox]

here and here upgrade the cpu to the 60 more one for the dell desktop, its a 2.8 dual

Gateway - Desktop with Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor
Model: SX2800-01 | SKU: 9352336

Intel® Core™2 Quad processor 8200; 4GB DDR3 memory; DL DVD±RW/CD-RW drive; Labelflash technology; 640GB hard drive;

This model just happens to be on sale at a local store, meaning I could get more bang for the buck vs. others that I looked at in the same price range - IF the thing works reliably.

i still kinda think you shouldnt be going for a brand that would do that sort of thing, other failures might occur