Hello all: A few days ago I installed an MSDNAA copy of Windows 7 Professional on a Gateway GT5026E desktop (specifications below). The installation went fine and I completed setup, account creations, software/application installations (Firefox, iTunes, Rosetta Stone, AVG, etc) and Windows updates. The computer went through several restarts with no issue and I finished by letting the machine shutdown after installing the last batch of Windows updates. I turned the machine on this morning and I cannot reach my desktop. I get a black/white message from Windows Error Recovery informing me that Windows failed to start. If I try to launch the Windows Repair utility, I received a BSOD that the BIOS in the system is not "fully ACPI compliant". I also cannot launch a fresh setup or access repair through my Windows 7 boot disk because of this error. I am seeking a solution, preferably a work around, for this issue. It seems to be a common problem, but I have not found any support topics for a PC that has already completed a successful installation of Windows 7. I have downloaded the updated BIOS for this Gateway desktop, but I do not know how to update the BIOS if I cannot access the desktop. I am accessing the support forums via a notebook and appreciate any feedback or advice. This is incredibly frustrating :-( Thanks in advance! Feature Specification Processor Intel® Pentium® D processor 820 Operates at 2.8 GHz, 800 MHz FSB 2 × 1 MB L2 cache Chipset Intel® 945G Memory Installed: 1024 MB 533 MHz (PC4200) DDR2 memory (two 512 MB modules) Expandable to: 4 GB Video Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900 Hard Drive 250 GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive Optical Drives DVD +/- RW, 16X Multi-Format Double Layer drive Up to 8.5 GB with Double Layer media Write max: 16X DVD +/-R, 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW Reads max: 16X DVD-ROM, 40X CD-ROM discs Modem 56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem Network Intel Integrated 10/100 LAN Interfaces PS/2 keyboard port PS/2 mouse port Seven USB 2.0 ports (four on rear panel, two on front panel, one in media reader) Three IEEE-1394a ports (one on rear panel, two on front-panel) One serial port One parallel port One RJ-45 LAN port Seven audio jacks (five on rear panel, two on front panel) One S/PDIF digital audio out Input Devices Wireless multimedia keyboard Wirelss optical mouse Wireless receiver for mouse and keyboard Power Supply 300 watt

There is a "How to install" link on the Gateway BIOS download page. See http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=20668&dscr=Cortez%20Motherboard%20BIOS%20UpdateRevision:%20NT94510J.15A.0109.2006.0501.1628&uid=292448433.

There is a "How to install" link on the Gateway BIOS download page. See http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=20668&dscr=Cortez%20Motherboard%20BIOS%20UpdateRevision:%20NT94510J.15A.0109.2006.0501.1628&uid=292448433. Thanks for the reply and link, Dominic! Unfortunately, I cannot access my desktop to install the new BIOS. I downloaded it on my laptop and put it on a flash drive. I am trying to figure out how to install it onto the Gateway machine :-/ I cannot find a work around to get passed the blue screen. I have tried booting Windows in Safe Mode and I have also tried fiddling with the following settings in the BIOS: Parallel Ports: changed from Enabled to Disabled and ACPI: changed from Suspend 3 to Suspend 1 I cannot launch Windows repair from my recovery screen and I cannot access setup from the Win 7 boot disk. My worst case scenario would be to install Win XP, then install Win 7 and make sure I update my drivers before doing Windows updates. From what I have read on other sites, I'm not sure if that will be a viable option. I am also concerned that I will lose media and documents that are not backed up (silly me, I know) on the current Win 7 install. On a side note... does anyone know if a Windows.old folder is created if you install XP after 7 without formatting the drive? I believe the media/documents would be preserved there. I hope I'm being detailed enough and readers can understand what I'm posting, haha. This error is new to me and I'm so incredibly lost.

You need the iFlash utility to flash from a DOS boot. This should have been supplied with your system. If you do not have a floppy drive you will need to create a DOS boot CD, or a USB DOS boot stick if your system supports booting from USB.