What can I do with this PC ?

elektra

I think this might be a question for NiftyDigits

I'm currently thinking the best thing would be to put Linux on it or just use the drive as a backup drive, but thought I would ask you first to see if I could get a valid Windows system.

It is an Esystem Ei205 with a DIXONSXP P4M900-8237A motherboard.

It has a Windows Vista retail sticker but partially ripped off, so full code can't be read.

It currently boots up as Windows 7 in a foreign language and has not been activated, activation period now expired.

It has a windows.old folder, which I presume is Vista ( the C drive is labelled 'Vista')

I have found the instructions to restore from windows.old but it mentions need to have a Windows 7 disk. I have a Windows 7 recovery disk from a Samsung laptop - will that work?

Even if I managed to restore and found it had a valid Vista key I would want to reinstall as a clean system, so would need your help.

Thanks

NiftyDigits

NiftyDigits is on holiday, so he has decreased his workload. He'll be back in the UK in April.

He tells me that the Motherboard is likely a Foxconn P4M9007MB-8R2SH and that you can apply the latest BIOS update to that machine as it often brings added benefits.

He suggests that if you are nervous of updating the BIOS, as there is some risk associated with that action, you can simply reinstall Vista with the help of the Vista OEM disc for Dixons machines.

Before one goes further, you should cross check the Motherboard details using Everest and post the BIOS details here.

iSaving

Just to confirm. Your Samsung recovery disk for Windows 7, will NOT work for this system.

danthemoneysavingman

With some trial and error you may be able to change the language to English. See how it's done on an english W7 version.
Unless you don't want W7.
But wanting Vista is perverse as it is not a good OS.

If W7 in english isn't convertable to a valid windows OS you would have to buy a key / use "other" methods, at your peril ;-)

Or save yourself much both and nick the HHD yes.

Just some musings

NiftyDigits

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

With some trial and error you may be able to change the language to English. See how it's done on an english W7 version.
Unless you don't want W7.
But wanting Vista is perverse as it is not a good OS.

If W7 in english isn't convertable to a valid windows OS you would have to buy a key / use "other" methods, at your peril ;-)

Or save yourself much both and nick the HHD yes.

Just some musings

?

What an odd collection of thoughts.

elektra

NiftyDigits wrote: »

He suggests that if you are nervous of updating the BIOS, as there is some risk associated with that action, you can simply reinstall Vista with the help of the Vista OEM disc for Dixons machines.

You mean PC won't be usable at all if BIOS update fails? I'd be willing to give it a go

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Before one goes further, you should cross check the Motherboard details using Everest and post the BIOS details here.

I already had these BIOS details using SIW, sorry for not including in OP
http://freetexthost.com/e6jild0i2u

Is that enough info or do you still need me to run Everest?

NiftyDigits

elektra wrote: »

You mean PC won't be usable at all if BIOS update fails? I'd be willing to give it a go



I already had these BIOS details using SIW, sorry for not including in OP
http://freetexthost.com/e6jild0i2u

Is that enough info or do you still need me to run Everest?

Run Everest and provide me with all of the details.

elektra

BIOS type - AWARD
BIOS version P4M9007MB 683D2p12 123006
Phoenix AwardBIOS v6.00PG
P4M9007MB 683D2p12 123006

System BIOS date 12/30/06
Video BIOS date 11/22/06

Phoenix Technologies Ltd
www.phoenix.com/en/products/default.htm
www.aida64.com/bios-updates

danthemoneysavingman

Didn't mean to crash your private party...
My comments were not hard to follow

elektra

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

Didn't mean to crash your private party...
My comments were not hard to follow

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

With some trial and error you may be able to change the language to English. See how it's done on an english W7 version.
Unless you don't want W7.
But wanting Vista is perverse as it is not a good OS.

If W7 in english isn't convertable to a valid windows OS you would have to buy a key / use "other" methods, at your peril ;-)

Or save yourself much both and nick the HHD yes.

Just some musings

I had already googled changing the language but everything I read said you needed Windows 7 Ultimate and this was Home Premium and seeing though it did not have a licence it seemed pointless pursuing that route any further.

Although the first post may have implied I wanted Vista - it was more that it was an option to explore, as it previously had Vista. I had/have not decided what I will do with PC if I get it up and running - someone may be glad of a Vista PC rather than none at all.

Thanks for your comments anyway.

NiftyDigits

Refer to post #2 for the BIOS update. You'll need a USB drive under 4GB.
In order to make the drive bootable, you can use Rufus

Here are some indicative settings:

The drive letter will vary dependent on what drive letter is produced when the flash drive is plugged in. Second option as shown and the next two, leave as Default.
You can choose FreeDos or MsDos...that's up to you.

Once created, un-zip the contents of the 'latest BIOS update' in post #2. Inside the resulting folder are three files. Highlight them, right click and send them to the drive.

Once done, you are ready to Flash the BIOS. Set the PC to boot from the USB drive. Once you have booted off it and get to Command Prompt(black screen with white writing), type:flash.bat then hit the Enter key and hope for the best. :eek:

Some indicative pictures of what to expect once you have entered the Flash.bat command:



Leave it to complete and then choose F1 to reboot.
Boot into the BIOS Setup screen by pressing F1 at start up and choose to set to Optimised Defaults.

Let me know when you have completed the task.