Advent 2008 Laptop

Specification

Drivers

Your laptop should have a backup copy of all the drivers, you can find it by browsing to the c:\applications\drivers folder.

Memory Upgrades

According to the specification this laptop has two memory slots. The first is fairly easy to find, all you need to do is remove the cover on the underside of the laptop (see "Bottom of Laptop" section below).

The second slot is hidden away under the keyboard making it a bit harder to get to. Many thanks to Peter C. Glen for sending these instructions -

1. Unclip the two screen hinge covers using the cut outs at the back of the unit
2. Fold the screen flat down and carefully release all of the mesh panel covering the top rear section (speakers etc)
3. Undo 1 screw and carefully lift the keyboard up from the back and fold it forward. Don't detach the ribbon cable
4. Undo the two screws on the panel in the centre, and voila! the memory chip is there. (or should be)
5. Replace and reverse the above to re-assemble

Bottom of Laptop

To access most internal components of the notebook, you will need a remove the screws highlighted below using a small Philips screwdriver. Please take anti-static precautions and ensure the notebook is not connected to the mains power supply.

1. MiniPCI/Wireless LAN cover
2. Memory cover
3. Battery release catch
4. Battery
5. Hard disk drive

Function Keys

Fn + F1 - Turn battery beeping sound on/off
Fn + F2 - Mute sound
Fn + F3 - Decrease speaker volume
Fn + F4 - Increases speaker volume
Fn + F7 - Decrease display brightness
Fn + F8 - Increase display brightness
Fn + F10 - Expand video screen or reset to its original size (disabled when playing video)
Fn + F12 - Toggle display between LCD, CRT, LCD+CRT and TV (disabled when playing video or in extended desktop mode)

Recovery

Due to the nature of the recovery process you should not use FDISK or any other partition management software to delete the partition on your Advent computer. Doing so will prevent the recovery from functioning correctly.

Using the HDD Recovery System

Your Advent computer uses the latest recovery system that doesn't require any CDs or DVDs to restore your PC to it's original factory condition.

• There are two ways to start the recovery -
  • Restart your computer. Then Press F10 repeatedly until the message "Starting System Recovery" is displayed.
  • In Windows by clicking: Start / All Programs / System Recovery / System Recovery.
• The recovery will load and display a box with one option:
  • Non-destructive recovery: this option will restore Windows, supplied applications, and drivers. This option will not destroy your documents or programs. These will be backed up along with the registry. These are restored at the end of the recovery process.
  To access the recovery options below that erase all data from the computer, click the Advanced button.
  • System Recovery - No format: this will reinstall Windows, supplied applications and drivers. It will move your files to a folder called "My old disk structure". Any applications (except those supplied) will need to be reinstalled.
  • System Recovery - Quick format: this option will erase your hard drive including your personal files. Windows, supplied applications and drivers will be reinstalled.
• Select the Non-destructive recovery option and press Next.
• You will be informed about System Restore in Windows, click Yes.
• The recovery will begin. Once this is complete click Restart.

Additional information

Press the ALT and D keys at the recovery menu to access a command prompt. This will allow access to C: drive. The command prompt will default to c:\minint\system32 where you can run a variety of tools including CHKDSK.EXE.

Reinstalling applications

From version 2.x of the recovery system onwards you can install applications from the c:\applications folder. Drivers can be installed from the c:\applications\drivers folder and utilities from the c:\applications\tools folder. You will still need to install Microsoft Works from the supplied CD.

Using the Recovery Media

If the HDD recovery doesn't work then you can recover from the discs you should have created. To use the discs (This will completely erase all your data) -

• Start the computer with the recovery CD or DVD in the DVD drive
• If the HDD already has the recovery partition in place, then you will get a screen with two options.
  • Press ‘F’ . This will delete & recreate the recovery partition, then restore the user partition. Do not choose option 'R' at this screen. If you select ‘R’ from the recovery CD start-up options, then this will first check to see if the recovery partition is present on the HDD. If the recovery partition is on the HDD, then the PC will load into the recovery options screen from the recovery partition, and not from the recovery CD/DVD set.
• If a blank HDD has been put into the machine (or there are no partitions on the HDD), then you will only get the option to press 'R'. In this case, just press 'R' , and this will create the recovery partition.
• When all data is copied to the recovery partition, then the user partition is created and formatted.

How can I make a backup of the pre-installed software?

The Recovery Media Creator will remind you to create your recovery media every time you start Windows, unless you tell it to stop reminding you, dismiss it, or create the media.

To access the Media Creator start into Windows as usual, then Click Start / All Programs / System Recovery / Recovery Media Creator.

• You will be presented with a “Welcome” screen. Click Continue.
• You will be shown some information about the creation process. Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Click Start Creation to create your System Recovery CD Set.
• The recovery creation software will advise you how many blank CDs/DVDs you will need to create your System Recovery set. A DVD has a much higher capacity than a CD and will require less discs.
• You will then be asked to insert a blank disc into your computer. Label this CD “Recovery CD 1” and then insert it into your DVD/CD Rewriter drive.
• Once you have inserted your blank disc the process should continue – If it does not, click OK to continue.
• The creation process will continue until you are prompted for a 2nd CD. Label this CD “Recovery CD 2” and then insert it into your DVD/CD Rewriter drive.
• Once the disc creation has completed you will see a “Congratulations” screen. Click OK and the program will exit.
• You have now created a complete set of Recovery disc(s) for your computer. These discs will allow you to restore your computer in case of any problems with your Windows XP software.
• Keep these discs in a safe place.

FAQ

Manually Running the Recovery Media Creator

Sometimes the recovery media creator shortcut is missing from the start menu. To get round this open My Computer and browse to the c:\windows\creator folder where you should find the "CD Creator" application. Run this and the recovery media creator program will start as normal.

Blank Screen

As well as the built in LCD screen the Advent 2008 has the option to output to a normal computer monitor (CRT) or a TV. When switched to one of these other modes the laptop screen will go blank which could give the impression the screen is faulty. To switch between the different display modes hold down the "fn" key and press "F12" which will let you toggle between the four settings - LCD, CRT, LCD+CRT and TV.