Virus-ed/Corrupted BIOS?

[gkflyer13]

Recently, my dad gave me his Gateway MG1 FX laptop because it broke. It managed to boot a couple of times, but when it did, it didn't stay powered on long. Here are the symptoms.

 

• The computer had been sitting in a closet for a few years and when I plugged into the AC adapter for the first time, it seemed to be booting okay and I could get into the BIOS settings which needed a password. However, the computer shut itself off not long after I saw the Gateway logo.
• While booting, some words were consistently misspelled, such as D swaps with T and so on. This randomizes each time you can get it to boot.
• After a couple power-ons, the computer just shuts off about a half second after I press the power button. It seems to be purposely turning itself off because while it is on (screen is black but is on, backlighted buttons turn on) the touch-sensor volume buttons can be used and are responsive.

Here is a link to the specs I found online: https://www.cnet.com/products/gateway-p-6831fx/specs/

 

My question is: What can I do to fix a computer without a functional BIOS?

 

[Kilrah]

25 minutes ago, gkflyer13 said:

While booting, some words were consistently misspelled, such as D swaps with T and so on. This randomizes each time you can get it to boot.

This suggests bad RAM, CPU or mobo, nothing to do with the BIOS.

[Robchil]

12 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

This suggests bad RAM, CPU or mobo, nothing to do with the BIOS.

Or the onboard powerboard.

[gkflyer13]

Then this is probably the (thankfully it can't get worse) worst case scenario to this problem. I've checked and ram is fine, so I'm guessing it's the motherboard. I'll probably have to replace the motherboard in its entirety, sadly. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I'll have to order the motherboard off of EBay or NewEgg or something.