If you're still using the recovery program within the Gateway laptop...and it freezes when installing drivers, applications, etc., before trying to click anything or move your mouse, let it finish installing the drivers for your hardware.
If it continues to hang...then there may be a problem with the recovery program itself. Using the manufaturer's recovery CDs are more practical...there's no telling what's wrong with the recovery program already installed on the drive.
Also...depending on how old the laptop is...flashing the BIOS may be a good idea...but only if needed...and only as a LAST RESORT.