Advent 4480 DVD Laptop
Can You Help?
If you own one of these laptops can you take a couple of minutes to check the information on this page is correct. If you come across any errors or have any other information that can help fill in the gaps then please email me at info@uktsupport.co.uk.
Many thanks, Matt
Specification
| CPU | Intel Pentium III 800MHz |
| Memory | 128MB PC133 SDRAM SODIMM (2 memory slots. Max 512MB) * |
| Hard Drive | 20 GB |
| CD Drive | 8 x 24x Torisan DRD-U824 DVD ROM |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44mb 3.5" |
| Screen | 14.1" TFT (Native Res.1024x768) |
| Video Card | SiS 630 8MB shared |
| Sound Card | SiS 7018 |
| Modem | SmartLink 56K - HAMR 5600 V.90 |
| Network Card | SiS 900 |
| PC Card | Will take either 2x Type I/II or 1x Type III |
| Ports | 1x Infrared 1x Kensington lock 1x USB 1.1 1x RJ-11 modem 1x PS/2 1x Microphone 1x Headphone 1x External VGA 1x Serial 1x Parallel 1x RJ-45 network |
| Battery | Li-ion |
| Made By | Gericom Webboy-340s2 (Download Drivers) |
* There is very little official information available on Advent memory upgrades and while I've done my best to make sure this page is accurate I would recommend double-checking before buying. One way is by running a system scanner like the one provided by Crucial Memory (shameless plug for advert below).
Bottom of Laptop
1. Fixing screw
2. Hard drive bay
3. CPU heatsink / fan grill
4. Fixing screw
5. CPU heatsink cover
6. Battery latches
7. Battery pack
Upgrading the Memory
Many thanks to Tom Evans for the additional notes on how to remove the keyboard.
1. Ensure that the power is off, the unit is unplugged and the battery is removed.
2. Remove the keyboard by lifting the 3 small clips at the front of the keyboard with a small screwdriver. *
3. Lift the keyboard clear of the notebook, there is a ribbon cable attached to the keyboard so take care.
4. Now lift the metal keyboard protector from the case.
5. You now need to remove the metal cover in the middle of the case.
6. You now have access to the 2 memory slots.
* These consist of one located at approximately 2 cm from each end of the keyboard, and one additional one located in an odd, off centre position. This central one is the most difficult to find, as it lies approximately 1.5cm to the right of the right edge of the mouse pad... directly below he scroll lock indicator (but on the front of the keyboard). NOTE: You may also encounter a difficulty in that the key locks may not be accessible without first prying the keyboard from its metal backing (or at least in my case it was). I suspect that after slipping the keyboard in place, the very small spring loaded keys simply released and slipped between the keyboard base and it's metal backing.
Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance.
In the Box
Disks Supplied
- Advent notebook recovery CD
- Utility and Driver CD
Items Supplied
- Advent 4480 notebook
- UK power cable
- Mains power adapter
- UK modem cable
Documentation Supplied
- Advent notebook user's manual
- Installation instructions
- Getting started with Microsoft Windows 98
Recovery
Replacement recovery discs can be ordered from a company called "The Tech Guys". More information is available on their website - http://support.thetechguys.com//recoverymedia/.
Warning: do not manually format the hard drive on this notebook. This will prevent driver installation during recovery. If the drive has been formatted you will need to contact the Advent notebook helpine to obtain a ghost image recovery CD.
A bootable recovery CD is supplied with with your notebook. Insert this into the DVD drive and restart your computer. The recovery CD boots up into a menu offering the following options :
- Recover Current Windows. Reinstall Windows whilst keeping your personal data and any installed applications. All original Windows installation files will be restored.
- QuickRestore System - No Format. This option will install a new operating system whilst keeping all your data. However, any Windows applications and settings will need to be reinstalled. Your old Windows is backed up!
- QuickRestore System - Quick Format. This option will format the hard disk and install a new operating system. All personal data and applications will be erased.
Use the tab, arrow, enter keys to navigate. The options can be selected using standard radio buttons. When the required option is selected, click Next.
Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the restoration of the software.
Driver CD
The notebook is supplied with a Utility CD. This can be used to restore corrupt drivers.
Useful Links
Repairs and Spares
All official service and support is handled by The Tech Guys (http://www.thetechguys.com/), if you laptop is covered under warranty then you need to contact them for repairs.
If your laptop is out of warranty then there are a number of other companies who do either repairs or supply spare parts, here are a selection -
TechnoMart - http://www.techno-mart.co.uk
Advent Spares - http://www.adventspares.co.uk/
DriveMyLaptop (replacement drives) - http://www.drivemylaptop.co.uk
Laptop Solutions - http://www.laptopsolutions.net/index.htm
DAB Solutions - http://www.dab-solutions.co.uk/
Accessories
There are plenty of internet sites that sell power cables, adapters, batteries, etc. for Advent laptops, here are just a selection -
MDS Battery - http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk
LaptopShop - http://www.laptopshop.co.uk
PartMaster - http://www.partmaster.co.uk
FAQ
What happens when a program asks for a Windows 98 CD and I wasn't supplied with one?
The files are stored on your hard drive. Point the program to C:\Win98.
Replacing the CMOS Battery
The laptop takes a standard CR2025 battery. Access to the battery is from underneath the laptop. First remove the CPU exhaust cover flap, next remove the CPU exhaust itself. This should give you access to a gold coloured flap under which you'll find the battery. To help this make sense you can download the webboy 340s2 (which the 4480 is based on) service manual from here - http://www.acomp.hu/pub/gericom/Notebook/Manuals/Service/Service%20Manuals/