Big problem with Advent laptop

wannabe_moneysaver

GunJack wrote: »

do you have your recovery disk to re-install windows & drivers ??

according to the spec I posted, you should have an internal wifi card (the prism one), do you mean a mobile internet dongle rather than a usb wifi adapter ??

Yes, I have a system recovery cd. When I ran it though, it didn't do anything, just showed me all the files on it. I had hoped it would burst into action and save the day!

No, its a usb adapter for sure, the internal thing died a few years ago.

closed

start, run, devmgmt.msc

click view, hidden devices, and try all the view options

try safe mode with networking, by holding down F8 at boot.

which operating system is it, have you tried system restore?

to boot from system recovery, you will probably have to hold down a F12 key or similar, or go into the bios and change the boot order to cd first - you will lose all your data if you use the boot disc

GunJack

follow the Recovery Disk instructions on the UKTsupport page I linked to earlier...you may need to set the pc to boot from cd drive first in BIOS

GunJack

closed wrote: »

to boot from system recovery, you will probably have to hold down a F12 key or similar, or go into the bios and change the boot order to cd first - you will lose all your data if you use the boot disc

there is a non-destructive recovery option, so data shouldn't be lost

wannabe_moneysaver

closed wrote: »

start, run, devmgmt.msc

click view, hidden devices, and try all the view options

try safe mode with networking, by holding down F8 at boot.

which operating system is it, have you tried system restore?

to boot from system recovery, you will probably have to hold down a F12 key or similar, or go into the bios and change the boot order to cd first - you will lose all your data if you use the boot disc

Thanks. Have done the run and view things but nothing has changed.

It is windows xp. The system restore only takes me back to this afternoon, I've done that but no change.

Just seen the other suggestion and will try this now. I'm not bothered about losing anything, everything has been removed that really matters (and more!). Thanks for taking the time.

closed

what about your itunes?

are there no other system restore points?

if you are happy to wipe it, you may as well follow that route.

wannabe_moneysaver

closed wrote: »

what about your itunes?

are there no other system restore points?

if you are happy to wipe it, you may as well follow that route.

I'm past caring really about that!! Definitely no more restore points.

Do I have to catch the black screen at start up and then press f12? Sorry to be so dense!

GunJack

^^^ yes, but it's F2 on your model

wannabe_moneysaver

GunJack wrote: »

^^^ yes, but it's F2 on your model

Ok, I'm in this bios thing and the disc is in, it all looks very scary and I'm stuck! I'm in the boot section and ive got the option of optical drive, removable devices and hard drive. What do I do now please? Thanks so much!

Jai_M

optic, then 'press any key' if it asks you to