Stupid Gateway splash screen

[dkubarek]

Using the wiki, I disabled all kinds of garbage in Windows XP and have it just about where I want it. However, I still can't get rid of that Gateway splash screen. I've heard you can disable it somewhere in the bios, but I am very unfamiliar with the registry and don't want to go fooling around unless I'm sure I know what I'm doing. Can anyone direct me? Thanks.

[swaffar]

well for starters, you'll need to edit your BIOS not the registry... as soon as your start up i'll have to hit either Esc, F2 or F12 (depends on what BIOS your rig has on it)  but your screen should display a message telling you what to press or hold to enter BIOS settings.

look around in there to enable/disable the splash

[dkubarek]

BIOS? Registry? See, I told you I don't know what I'm talking about.  Thanks for the help. I'll check it out.

[jfunk]

A lot of times, with OEM stuff like that, you won't be able to edit hte splash image in the BIOS.  They LIKE forcing you to see their logo when you load up.  Free advertising 

If you can't through the bios settings, find out the exact type of motherboard/bios..  Sometimes, you can get lucky on a  Google search and find a standalone piece of software that can be used to update the splash image..

[dkubarek]

Yea, I hear that. I "turned it off" and it started by showing system checks for a split second WITH a new, smaller Gateway logo. I plan to keep this arcade in sleep mode, and most of the time the screen beats the monitor to startup, so I'll just live with it for now. Thanks for the help, guys. dk

[Encryptor]

You might also check Gateways website. I have a Compaq in mine and it was the same way with the Compaq flash screen. I was able to get a utility from their website that allowed me to change it to what ever I wanted. It's worth a shot.


Encryptor

[dkubarek]

I'll try that. thanks.

[Organic Jerk]

If all else fails and you really want to keep that computer, you could try the hardware method laid out on that wiki page...

It's not a pretty method and you have to deal with a blank screen during the few second of bios, but it may be a better help to the illusion than a bunch of post data...

From the wiki:

A Hardware Solution For Hiding BIOS & Boot Screens

    This may be set-up dependant thus it may or may not work for your setup. In the first step, a cheap or even free part is recommended. This will make testing this method easier on the wallet.

       1. You must be using an AGP video card in your PC. Add a PCI video card to your system (use the cheapest model you can find - it may not even have to work, so you may be able to find a free card!)
       2. Go into the BIOS setup screen of your PC, and find the "Video Card" setting. Change it to "PCI" instead of AGP.
       3. Reboot your PC

    The BIOS messages and boot screen should now be output only to the PCI card. The monitor, still plugged into the AGP card, should stay blank until Windows starts. If any BIOS changes are needed, you'll have to plug the monitor into the PCI card, so ensure your PC's BIOS settings are configured prior to attempting this step.