Advent 5471 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 Celeron 700MHz |
| Memory | 128MB PC100/PC133 SDRAM SODIMM (2 memory slots. Max 256MB) * |
| Hard Drive | 10GB (removable) |
| CD Drive | 6 x Torisan DRD U624 DVD ROM |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44mb 3.5" |
| Screen | 14.1" TFT (Native Res.1024x768) |
| Video Card | ATI Rage LT Pro 8MB |
| Sound Card | ESS Maestro2E |
| Modem | either a Conexant 56k Fax modem V.90 or a Lucent 56K v.90 (PCMCIA) |
| PC Card | Will take either 2x Type I/II or 1x Type III |
| Ports | 1x Kensington Lock 2x PC Card slots 1x IR 1x Line-in 1x Mic-in 1x Audio-out 1x Modem 1x PS/2 2x USB 1x Expansion Port 1x Serial Port 1x VGA 1x S-Video 1x Parallel |
| Battery | Smart Li-ion |
| Made By | Gericom Overdose2-3100C (Download Drivers) |
* The maximum is as stated in the manual though I have heard from an owner who says it will take 256MB modules which would make the maximum 512MB.
Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance.
Bottom of Laptop
In the Box
Disks Supplied
- Recovery boot floppy disk
- Recovery CD ROM
- Supervoice CD
- DVD ROM and suspend driver floppy disk
Items Supplied
- Advent 5471 notebook PC
- UK mains power cable
- Mains adapter
- UK modem cable
- S-Video cable
Documentation Supplied
- Advent notebook user's manual
- User guide for fax modem
- Freeserve leaflet
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: this process will erase all files from your computer. It is important that you save any personal files to disk before you begin.
A bootable recovery CD is supplied with these machines. To recover the system:-
- Insert CD (and floppy disk if supplied) into the drive.
- Reboot the PC.
- A warning message prompting you to backup data before proceeding.
- Press Y to continue.
- A final warning that all data will be erased is displayed.
- Press Y to continue.
- Finally a message "Remove CD-ROM when prompted" is displayed.
- Press Y to continue.
- The image file will load. Once complete you will be prompted to remove the CD and press CTRL + ALT + DEL to restart.
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
Blank screen or EMM386 error after recovery
Once the recovery has completed the screen goes blank or an EMM386 error message is dispalayed. This happens because the laptop is having problems displaying the message to remove the CD and restart. Simply remove the CD from the drive and restart the laptop, first time setup will begin as normal.
Getting Hold of the Service Manual
The Advent 5471 is also known as the Gericom 3100C, this should be printed underneath the laptop. You can download the service manual for the 3100C from here - http://www.acomp.hu/pub/gericom/Notebook/Manuals/Service/Service%20Manuals/