I have a Gateway laptop (MN- MX3416) that seems to be freezing at the BIOS flash screen, but it gives me a mouse pointer with an hourglass next to it. At first I thought this might be a Windows issue, however I removed the hard drive, and still the error occurs. I replaced the memory next, and the problem persists!

For the time being, I have no hard drive installed, 256MB PC2-4200 memory (the only known good I had around), and no battery. I cannot imagine why this error occurs here, any feedback would be appreciated though!

The odd BIOS still comes around that is mouse controlled and some people who (with all due respect) don't know any better think its part of Windows.

If its freezing on the BIOS screen and you've changed what you can its more likely a problem with the board inside the laptop which would mean its either covered under warranty or the entire unit's a write-off.

Well if anyone cares I did end up resolving the issue. The left mouse button on the touchpad was pressed down (the user had damaged it) and it was causing an error. When I unplugged the mouse from the mobo the computer boots fine.