Packard Bell Recovery

[noobs-delight]

I have a PB Imedia 1402 which is running ridiculously slow.So I am trying to format it to get it back to how it was when I first bought it.I have done this before a long time ago but lost the instructions I believe that you have to 'unlock' XP from a hidden Parttion drive called FAT32.So far I have made a recovery disc from here http://support.packardbell.com/uk/it...p?i=6945490100
Then I reboot - press f11 but turn into a noob because I have no idea what to do next.....Any help would be much appreciated.

[LSainsbury]

Welcome!

When you hit F11, what happens? It should run a wizard of some kind...

[Strzelecki]

Try following the instructions here.

[noobs-delight]

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Welcome!

When you hit F11, what happens? It should run a wizard of some kind...

I pressed f11 and the following 3 options came up.
1st Floppy Drive
HDD:PM-ST380011a
CD/DVD:SM-HL-DT-STDVDRAMGSA-4
I selected the 3rd option and it went through a few motions.The following is from the last page
......Processing archive A:other.exe
extracting bioslock.exe to c:\bioslock.exe
uncompressing 41408 bytes ok 1 files
this computer has no valid information........

---------- Post added at 09:22 ---------- Previous post was at 09:18 ----------

Originally Posted by Strzelecki

Try following the instructions here.

Tried this but got the following pop up box -
access violation at address 013412C3 in module 'necbiosl.dll'.Read of address 00173000

This one is realy annoying because I can actually see where the button to start the whole recovery process...

[nffc]

You aren't tattooed. Did you make the recovery CD yourself, using this machine? Has either the HDD or the mainboard been changed since you got it? Is the version of XP on there the same as the one supplied or has someone installed XP (Pro or Home) from a different disc?

[damien c]

most times with these types of computers ie bought from a shop when you first turn it on there will be a button, to press to bring up the recovery options and then there should be a advanced option so that you can to a complete factory restore with the possibillty of clicking a, few tick boxes it will reinstall the original software ie antivirus etc if needs be go to the pb website and see if you can get, any instructions on how to do a complete factory restore i know acer/hp/sony/toshiba and fujitsu seimens all have these options.

[noobs-delight]

Did the recovery disc from here http://support.packardbell.com/uk/it...p?i=6945490100

And the motherboard isnt the original (was fitted professionaly instore) Everything else is untouched.This is the info from Aida32 about the MB if it helps.

Motherboard ID 63-113-0000010-00101111-081506-INTEL$P4i6G113
Motherboard Name Unknown

---------- Post added at 11:01 ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 ----------

Looking through 'all programmes' I came across something called SNAPSYS in the PB Support section.When I clicked onto it I was asked to insert the Master CD.Is this something I can create or does it just apply to PCs which were shipped with it.

[damien c]

some will come with the master cd it would have come with all the instructions if i remember correctly, aslong as yours was meant to with the motherboard changing im not sure how that will effect the restore the only thing i, could reccomend is getting in touch with pb customer services and see if they can help unless anyone else can help. but i know one thing you normally dont need the recovery cd's aslong as everything is still on the recovery partition, that would have been created by pb when the computer was originally built. sorry i cant be of any more help.

[nffc]

You can't use the OEM Windows after changing the MB, as it contravenes the EULA, and the OS dies with the old board.

As PB use a Bios lock to prevent you using it on a new board, then the only solution is to buy a copy of XP.

[Strzelecki]

If the machine was bought through DSG (Currys, Dixons or PC World) and the replacement motherboard was also installed by one of the stores (or PC Servicecall/ Tech Guys) then they should have retatooed the machine to enable to Packard Bell Recovery system to work correctly. If this is the case and you still have the paperwork then take it back and get them to retatoo it. If the recovery partition has been erased then you'll need to purchase a set of recovery CDs to do a Packard Bell restore. Probably easier to do as nffc says and buy a copy of XP instead.

[nffc]

Originally Posted by Strzelecki

If the machine was bought through DSG (Currys, Dixons or PC World) and the replacement motherboard was also installed by one of the stores (or PC Servicecall/ Tech Guys) then they should have retatooed the machine to enable to Packard Bell Recovery system to work correctly. If this is the case and you still have the paperwork then take it back and get them to retatoo it. If the recovery partition has been erased then you'll need to purchase a set of recovery CDs to do a Packard Bell restore. Probably easier to do as nffc says and buy a copy of XP instead.

If that was the case, then legally they have to repair using the same model MB where possible, and retattoo. PB do customise their boards to allow the DMI to be tattooed, there is no way a replacement OEM board will work for this, nor is it legal to.

[noobs-delight]

Just to let you know I ended up taking my PC to a local repair shop and they managed to do it.The recovery prog is back on (think its called snapsys).
Something somewhere was corrupt/faulty but I am just happy to have it back running as new again.So I just wanted to say thanks for the help and suggestions.

[peter dowling]

i have a packard bell laptop i had a problem took it back to curreys they rebooted and presed a button and laptop went back to factory settings what button did they press as i need to go back to factory settings

[Ben B]

F11 or F10

[nffc]

Have a look in the manual.