A few Advent FAQs - please read before posting

[ForestChav]

(can someone pin this please?)
To save repeating ourselves here's some answers to some of the more recent questions:

My PC was not supplied with any disks, is this normal?
Yes. The PC will be supplied with a hard drive based recovery solution in a hidden partition, all the files are on the PC to restore it.

How do I restore my PC to factory settings?
If Windows still boots up then you can do this from Start > All Programs > System Recovery > System Recovery, press OK and the PC will restart and load the recovery program.
If not, then if you begin tapping F10 repeatedly as soon as you have pressed the power button, then it should start recovery instead of loading Windows.
Note if you have created recovery CDs you don't need them to recover as it copies the recovery files to CD leaving them on the HDD.

I would like to create recovery CDs, how can I do this?
Start > All Programs > System Recovery > Recovery Media Creator. The creator will tell you how many CDs/DVDs it will take. You can use either. Follow the onscreen instructions, if it fails you might need new recovery disks.

I have installed my own copy of Windows on the PC, where do I find drivers?
Normally the TechGuys website is a good place, also, you can find them on the manufacturer's site (eg ECS).
Really the best way to manage this if you must install your copy is to create the recovery CDs, or at the very least copy the C:\Applications folder to a CD before doing so.

How can I reinstall drivers or supplied applications?
All the files to reinstall these are located in the C:\Applications\Driver or C:\Applications\Tool folder. Navigate to the appropriate program and run setup.exe.

I have an annoying electrical noise on the line out/headphone socket, what can I do?
Unfortunately nothing. This is due to poor electrical shielding between the line out trace and the other components. Quite a common problem, but nothing a user can do, maybe a replacement mainboard which is better shielded will fix it - it's back to PC World with it really.

I cannot get my PC to detect any wireless networks
First of all check that the wireless switch is on. This is normally located as a physical switch by the power button, or as a Fn key combination with one of F1-F12. Check the graphics on the F keys, the user manual, or the Techguys site for information on it.
Secondly, if your PC is based around an Intel Pro 2200 BG chipset, then this guide might have the solution
http://support.thetechguys.com/layout.aspx?ID={e74fd16b-e0d5-4298-ac91-23d1dadb45eb}&CatID={6a5baa5b-067b-4e07-982e-53ca9c07d0de}
(NB- copy and paste into the browser as phpBB doesn't like the links!)
If this still isn't working try the laptop on another wireless network, there might be a problem with the router or a security setting.

[ForestChav]

You can find information on the TechGuys site at

http://support.thetechguys.com/adventnotebooks
http://support.thetechguys.com/adventdesktops

Please add any other useful information...

[cheester]

Nice work btw ForestChav,
I have stickied the thread

Cheers for your input too

[ForestChav]

If you have your nice Vista upgrade CD then yeah, go for it, it's great. (IMO)

BUT DO MAKE RECOVERY CD FIRST BEFORE INSTALLING IT.

Otherwise you have to pay £35 to PC ServiceCall if you want to reinstall XP.

If you have an older Advent machine with a v3 recovery CD you will need to create an Update CD before you commence.

- At the ‘Press R to display system recovery options’, press ‘R’
- Once in the System Recovery screen, press ALT + D to access the WinPE command prompt.
- Type COPYSI and hit Enter to copy the SmartImage.
- Return to Windows and then copy the contents of the C:\Update CD\ folder to CD (N.B. Do not copy the ‘Update CD’ folder itself)

[elraso]

Iwill try that thanks again hope I have not been to dense just bungerling along . thanking you again for your help, elraso .

[mbobmurray]

I'v been tolc my wireless needs to be switched on. how do I do this?

[Ranibeke]

Hi
Wireless operation varies with different makes of hardware.
Could I ask you to repost your query in the Laptop/Notebook Help forum and include your Advent model number.