Re: Not sure I understand the semantics of BIOS settings.

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babel17 wrote:
babel17 wrote:
I have been told by technical support that I need to upgrade the BIOS on my Gateway FX530XM desktop to a newer version.

I have been told this in response to a problem I described to them involving one of the computer's fans intermittently making a lot of noise.

Before I install the update I know that I have to record all the present BIOS settings. Therefore, I am in the process of writing down all of the settings in the BIOS, and I have an important question about the settings.

I see some settings listed as either <ENABLE> or <DISABLE>.

Does <ENABLED> mean that the item referred to is already enablED or that if I use the BIOS Setup to change the setting, then it will be enablED?

In other words, when it says <ENABLE> is it "ON" or is it "OFF"?

Thank you.

OK - I just entered BIOS setup and changed the setting Advanced > Boot Configuration > System Fan Control from <ENABLE> to <DISABLE>.
Due to the odd semantics of the missing "D" I can't tell if I turned system fan control on OR off, but I can tell you that I turned an annoying sound into a load roar. I have just reversed what I did and I am back to an annoying noise. The fan that got louder appears to be the large one connected to the shroud which is connected to the large heat sink, Even with the screwdriver trick I am not sure because the screwdriver appears to change the pitch of the sound.

In any case I agree with all that I can't see a BIOS update (preceded by a time-consuming recording of settings) as fixing this problem, a problem which seemed to have followed a technicians replacing a drive adjacent to a fan.

I think your advice is correct and I will have to bite the bullet and bring the machine. First I must convince Gateway to take it.

No, I don't know why my last post is there so many times except that I got an error message from Thunderbird a few times and had to hit "send" a few times.

So here's the latest: Despite my paying Gateway good money for a four-year warranty AND paying them extra for "on-site" service, in their reply to my latest e-mail they have informed me that there are NO local repair places that they will authorize and that all authorized off-site warranty work must involve my SHIPPING MY COMPUTER TO THEIR SITE IN TEXAS !!!

So I guess my options are bringing the computer to a local shop and paying for the work or doing what they say and updating the BIOS, though I doubt that's the problem. The fan itself is in a case; I can't even see it. I am not sure enough of my skills to open the fan casing and work on it. My doing the work myself is not really an option. So I guess next chance I get, likely next weekend, I will do the BIOS thing, and when it doesn't work, find a reputable shop.

By the way, the problem is very intermittent. At the moment, although a bit louder than it used to be, the fan noise is quite tolerable.

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Kindly remove "notme" to reply.
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: How to access and edit the BIOS
    ... I went to the Gateway site and had no luck ... computer would have access to the Safe Mode or BIOS screens? ... That is probably the factory settings. ... you a few minutes to make a complete set of pictures. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: How to access and edit the BIOS
    ... I went to the Gateway site and had no luck finding any info on that model number. ... I, too, suspect that the "Load Optimal Defaults" would be the factory settings, and that that is what was loaded when the system clock was returned to January 1, 2002. ... But does that mean that a "guest user" who turns on the computer would have access to the Safe Mode or BIOS screens? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: Not sure I understand the semantics of BIOS settings.
    ... Therefore, I am in the process of writing down all of the settings in the BIOS, and I have an important question about the settings. ... Due to the odd semantics of the missing "D" I can't tell if I turned system fan control on OR off, but I can tell you that I turned an annoying sound into a load roar. ... First I must convince Gateway to take it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Not sure I understand the semantics of BIOS settings.
    ... Therefore, I am in the process of writing down all of the settings in the BIOS, and I have an important question about the settings. ... Due to the odd semantics of the missing "D" I can't tell if I turned system fan control on OR off, but I can tell you that I turned an annoying sound into a load roar. ... First I must convince Gateway to take it. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Not sure I understand the semantics of BIOS settings.
    ... the system fan control will THEN be ON? ... | this might be the problem IF Gateway is correct that this is a BIOS ... you have access to the Gateway manual and to Gateway technical ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)