Laptop with several XP problems

[mm]

Revised:

A young friend with not much money was given a beautiful laptop with
XP on it, as originally sold.


Oh, yes, Mike, sorry. It's an Averatec 3700 Series, with AMD 1800 MHz
CPU, 512Meg RAM, 60 Gig HDD, 4 in 1 card reader, Firewire, USB2, DVD
and CD-RW burner, wireless, and only 4 lbs.

No evidence of a hidden partition in the manual. Folder Options has
"Show hidden files and folders". Is that enough to see it?

It also has checked "Hide protected operating system files", but
unchecking that didn't show me a partition in Windows Explorer.


But it has a strange collection of problems!

Maybe they're related or maybe some are well known?

1) None of the 3 USB ports work, with a flashdrive or a mouse. I think
they used to. The mouse or flash drive light up when plugged in, but
aren't noticed by Windows. How do I tell if this is a software or
hardware problem? (I really need a USB mouse because I hate the
built-in pad.)

2) The sound doesn't work and it says there is no sound device, though
there used to be!

3) When Device Manager is displayed, NO devices appear.

4) It boots maybe quicker than mine, but some things are verry slow.
A virus/trojan full hard drive scan showed nothing.

When I had this problem, a month after installing XP, I disabled all
the services and startup programs and reinstalled them a little at a
time. I found two services**, either of which slowed me down
tremendously, but he doesn't have either of those. Before checking
the services for him and startup programs, is there something I should
do first?

**Shell Hardware Detection, and Uninteruptable Power Supply.

Thanks a lot.

 

[windrider]

It sounds like the orignal owenr formated the HD then reinstalled the OS.
When this is done many non-microsoft drivers are not reinstalled (I've had
the same problem). You can either hunt down the individual drivers or order
the Recovery CD form the manufacturer. When I did this it cost $20 and a lot
less headaches.

 

[Mike S]

Revised:

It's an Averatec 3700 Series, with AMD 1800 MHz
CPU, 512Meg RAM, 60 Gig HDD, 4 in 1 card reader, Firewire, USB2, DVD
and CD-RW burner, wireless, and only 4 lbs.

No evidence of a hidden partition in the manual. Folder Options has
"Show hidden files and folders". Is that enough to see it?

It also has checked "Hide protected operating system files", but
unchecking that didn't show me a partition in Windows Explorer.

<snip>

Sorry I wasn't clearer. Instead of giving out CDs or DVDs for OS
reinstallations often there is a hidden partition that I don't think
Windows will show you (but a partition manager would) that has an image
of the OS. Anyway I'd give this a try if you don't mind wiping out
everything on the machine and starting over with a clean OS, the
condition it was in when the computer was new.

To be clear, if these instructions work, EVERYTHING will be deleted and
all data will be LOST. So if you're okay with that follow the
instructions to restore the machine to the factory defaults. Then you'll
have to install all Microsoft updates, and all software you want,
including your own security software, e.g. antivirus, antimalware, etc.
along with any drivers for any new hardware you want to use.

------
http://www.fixya.com/support/t887129-need_restore_factory_defaults

"When you turn on your system press F4 until you see the Phoenix
recovery Software appear. This should guide you to fix your problem.."

http://forum.notebookreview.com/averatec/244550-how-restore-3700-if-cant-boot.html

"When booting up, press F4 to access Recovey Option if your hard drive
has a hidden partition which stores factory images."
------

Does that work on your computer? Make sure you press and hold down the
F4 key immediately after turning the computer on. I think you may see
the typical windows graphics for a while, so don't reboot immediately,
give it a chance to load and make sure whether Windows or the restore
programs has loaded.

The manual can be downloaded here:
http://www.trigem.com/us/support/manuals.asp
You'll have to rename the download filename from 3700 to 3700.pdf to be
able to open it.

Mike

 

[pcs365.10]

Hi mm,

I can suggest you few steps starting with device manager because this main thing,
Try booting in safe mode and then check if plug and play is running ie
Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK to see if the plug and play "status" is listed as "started" and that the "startup type" is set to "automatic".


2. Usb issue;
Driver details, all contained in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers hence did ou check that also check the registry key which is
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion the item DevicePath must point to %SystemRoot%\inf additional items seperated by a semicolon.

This should be helpful

Regards
Chris

 

[mm]

<snip>

Sorry I wasn't clearer. Instead of giving out CDs or DVDs for OS
reinstallations often there is a hidden partition that I don't think
Windows will show you (but a partition manager would) that has an image

I have a partition manager. If I don't make enough progress here,
I'll find it and check.

of the OS. Anyway I'd give this a try if you don't mind wiping out
everything on the machine and starting over with a clean OS, the
condition it was in when the computer was new.

To be clear, if these instructions work, EVERYTHING will be deleted and
all data will be LOST. So if you're okay with that follow the

Well, I've been careful not to read my friend or his brother's email,
but not much seems installed. I may leave this decision up to him.
He's only 22 and ready to give up on this thing. I'm the one insisting
it can probably be fixed.

instructions to restore the machine to the factory defaults. Then you'll
have to install all Microsoft updates, and all software you want,
including your own security software, e.g. antivirus, antimalware, etc.
along with any drivers for any new hardware you want to use.

------
http://www.fixya.com/support/t887129-need_restore_factory_defaults

"When you turn on your system press F4 until you see the Phoenix
recovery Software appear. This should guide you to fix your problem.."

http://forum.notebookreview.com/averatec/244550-how-restore-3700-if-cant-boot.html

"When booting up, press F4 to access Recovey Option if your hard drive
has a hidden partition which stores factory images."

Yes, Wow, thanks. This isn't in the owner's manual. So far the only
thing unusual is that it says Mouse not detected, even though the
mouse pad is working in Windows and in this Phoenix cME console
Troubleshooting/System Check section. Aha. Plugging in a USB mouse,
which didn't work in XP, is working here. Now the computer just
turned off for some reason! On restart to the same place, now it says
mouse is detected! And both the USB mouse and built-in mouse pad
work.

So this means, does it not, that the USB port does not have a hardware
problem, only a software problem in Windows?

Everything else in the Pheonix cME console works, but isn't meant to
do much. (Although it will run external programs). Except FWIW, I
looked at Phoenix FirstWare Recover Pro Quick Start, which will
restore to the last or some previous Backup Point, and the mouse
doesn't work there, but the mouse pad does.

Do you think a Restore would help, especially if I can find out when
the sound, USB port, or Device Manager used to work?

Okay I restarted and the mouse doesn't work.

F4 key immediately after turning the computer on. I think you may see
the typical windows graphics for a while, so don't reboot immediately,
give it a chance to load and make sure whether Windows or the restore
programs has loaded.

The manual can be downloaded here:
http://www.trigem.com/us/support/manuals.asp
You'll have to rename the download filename from 3700 to 3700.pdf to be
able to open it.

Thanks again.

 

[Mike S]

Do you think a Restore would help, especially if I can find out when
the sound, USB port, or Device Manager used to work?

<snip>

I agree with a previous post by Dave, doing a complete factory defaults
restore would be the best idea, because it would remove a lot of junk.

Poorly written windows programs may not completely uninstall, bloating
the registry or leaving files that bloat windows. You may have programs
or fonts, or incorrect drivers, or less than optimal windows settings
left over from previous programs and users.

I think you're right about it having software issues, the hardware
sounds like it's working fine, if you are reluctant to do a restore I
would recommend reinstalling all of the drivers you can find.

Myself I would definitely do the factory restore. I just helped a woman
friend do that on a pc she got 2nd hand and she was surprised at how
much faster it was.

 

[mm]

<snip>

I agree with a previous post by Dave, doing a complete factory defaults
restore would be the best idea, because it would remove a lot of junk.

Okay. Thanks to both you and Daave.

I just checked and the factory restore point is the only one on the
list.

When I restore to it, does that nomrally delete data, like email
that's been received, or or remove software, like Chrome Browser?

Poorly written windows programs may not completely uninstall, bloating
the registry or leaving files that bloat windows. You may have programs
or fonts, or incorrect drivers, or less than optimal windows settings
left over from previous programs and users.

I think you're right about it having software issues, the hardware
sounds like it's working fine, if you are reluctant to do a restore I
would recommend reinstalling all of the drivers you can find.

Myself I would definitely do the factory restore. I just helped a woman
friend do that on a pc she got 2nd hand and she was surprised at how
much faster it was.

My young friend says it's very slow too. And it might be, so that
would be great.

 

[mm]

Okay. Thanks to both you and Daave.

I just checked and the factory restore point is the only one on the
list.

When I restore to it, does that nomrally delete data, like email
that's been received, or or remove software, like Chrome Browser?

I should have said that it is Phoenix Recover Pro.

Apparently this is available free for win2000 and XP. It works even
when windows is totally broken the website says, but I havent' found
the answer to the question above yet. One site:
http://www.pcauthority.com.au/Download/58906,phoenix-recover-pro-6.aspx

 

[mm]

I should have said that it is Phoenix Recover Pro.

Apparently this is available free for win2000 and XP. It works even
when windows is totally broken the website says, but I havent' found
the answer to the question above yet. One site:
http://www.pcauthority.com.au/Download/58906,phoenix-recover-pro-6.aspx

Sorry. it turns out this points to www.phoenix.com , the author,
which doesn't have it anymore, and the other sites are torrents or
something that I know little about except they scare me.
Also, www.nowfreedomdownloads.com seemed to have version 6, but it was
20 dollars a year and I'm afraid of it too. It wanted 6 more dollars
for dl protection, and 5 dollars for privacy. Why would I want
privacy?

 

[Daave]

Okay. Thanks to both you and Daave.

I just checked and the factory restore point is the only one on the
list.

When I restore to it, does that nomrally delete data, like email
that's been received, or or remove software, like Chrome Browser?

Yes. Make sure you back up all data first, including e-mails and the
address book and Web browser favorites/bookmarks, to other media -- for
example, an external hard drive. Backing up e-mail (unless copies exist
on a mail server) can be a bit tricky if you don't know where to look.
If your friend uses Outlook Express, this page should help:

http://www.insideoe.com/backup/

Otherwise, Google for information for the mail client or ask here again.

Programs will need to be reinstalled. Likewise, service packs and
subsequent updates. If the clean restore takes you back to SP1, you may
install SP3 (since it includes SP2). Otherwise, post back for more
guidance.

 

[mm]

Yes. Make sure you back up all data first, including e-mails and the
address book and Web browser favorites/bookmarks, to other media -- for
example, an external hard drive. Backing up e-mail (unless copies exist
on a mail server) can be a bit tricky if you don't know where to look.

I was afraid that would be the case, so I've made arrangements with
him to back the stuff up. What he should have done is make a restore
point after he had everything installed, including service packs, but
he didn't. And every month? or so thereafter. Live and learn. I
don't think he even knew he had this restore program. It's not
mentioned in the manual. I think this will work. I hope so.

If your friend uses Outlook Express, this page should help:

http://www.insideoe.com/backup/

Actualy, I think he keeps all his mail on the web. He doesn't get
that much iiuc. I've been trying to talk him out of that, but this
time it helps him out. Plus maybe some of his brother's stuff is on
it.

Otherwise, Google for information for the mail client or ask here again.

Programs will need to be reinstalled. Likewise, service packs and
subsequent updates. If the clean restore takes you back to SP1, you may
install SP3 (since it includes SP2). Otherwise, post back for more
guidance.

Thanks again. Copy to him with your list of things to back up (plus
any files he stored anywhere), and later to reinstall.

 

[Daave]

I was afraid that would be the case, so I've made arrangements with
him to back the stuff up. What he should have done is make a restore
point after he had everything installed, including service packs, but
he didn't. And every month? or so thereafter. Live and learn. I
don't think he even knew he had this restore program. It's not
mentioned in the manual. I think this will work. I hope so.


Actualy, I think he keeps all his mail on the web. He doesn't get
that much iiuc. I've been trying to talk him out of that, but this
time it helps him out. Plus maybe some of his brother's stuff is on
it.


Thanks again. Copy to him with your list of things to back up (plus
any files he stored anywhere), and later to reinstall.

YW. The advantage of only using the Web (including for e-mailing) is no
backups of data are necessary. Web browser favorites/bookmarks may
certainly be saved.