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Advent 6552 Laptop

Specification

CPUIntel Pentium Dual-Core T3400 (2.16GHz)
BIOSPhoenix BIOS. Press F2 to enter
ChipsetIntel GL40 Express
Memory3GB DDR2 667MHz PC2-5300 SODIMM (2 memory slots. Max 4GB)
Hard Drive250GB Western Digital WD2500BEKT-60F3T1 **
CD DriveTSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633A
Screen17" Widescreen TFT (native resolution 1440x900)
Video CardIntegrated Intel GL40 Express Chipset Family
WebcamBuilt in
Sound CardRealtek ALC662 High Definition Audio
Network CardRealtek 8139 / 810X (Onboard)
MSI MN54G 802.11bg Wireless G Mini PCI Card (MS-6877)
Ports1x Headphone
1x Line-in
1x Microphone
1x Expresscard slot
1x Card Reader
2x USB 2.0
1x Kensington Lock
1x LAN
1x eSATA *
1x DVI
BatteryU40-3S3700-B1Y1 (11.1v 3700mAh)
Size27.8 x 287 x 402mm (HxWxD)
Weight3.4kg
ColourBlack
Made ByF71IL1

* The eSATA port also doubles up as a 3rd USB port.

** May have a 250GB Toshiba MK2552GSX or a 250GB Toshiba MK2555GSX drive fitted instead.


Drivers

Your laptop should have been supplied with a Utility CD which contains a copy of the user manual and all the drivers. There is also a copy of the drivers on the laptop itself, you can find it by browsing to the c:\applications\drivers folder.


Memory Upgrades

This laptop has two memory slots. One slot is accessed by removing the cover underneath the laptop (see the "Bottom of Laptop" section below), the other slot is hidden somewhere under the keyboard though I'm not sure how you get to it.


Bottom of Laptop

6553 underneath


Function Keys

Fn+F1 - Put the laptop into Suspend Mode
Fn+F2 - Eco Mode (where supported by processor)
Fn+F3 - Mute/UnMute Sound
Fn+F4 - Change display mode - Laptop Screen/ External display/ Laptop and External display
Fn+F5 - Increase the speaker volume
Fn+F6 - Decrease speaker volume
Fn+F7 - Increase brightness
Fn+F8 - Decrease brightness
Fn+F9 - Enable/ Disable touchpad
Fn+F10 - Enable/ Disable Wireless
Fn+F11 - Enable / disable webcam


In the Box

Disks Supplied

  • Microsoft Works SE 9.0
  • Notebook drivers CD

Items Supplied

  • Advent 6552 notebook
  • Mains power adapter
  • Mains power cable
  • Advent Welcome Pack

Documentation Supplied

  • Advent Setup Guide
  • Your Guide to Microsoft Windows Vista
  • Advent Troubleshooting and Recovery Manual
  • Advent Safety & Regulations Manual
  • International Support numbers leaflet
  • Integrated Webcam addendum

Recovery Disc

Hard Drive Recovery

Should your Windows develop serious errors or fail to start, you can restore your computer back to factory settings by using the hard drive recovery located on a hidden partition on the hard drive.

To restore your computer back to factory settings, follow the steps below:

  1. Turn on the computer and keep tapping F8 until the advanced options menu is displayed
  2. Use the up/down arrow keys on the keyboard to highlight Repair Your Computer and press enter to select it
  3. Select the language you wish to install (normally English is the only option)
  4. Once you have chosen your language you will be presented with the available recovery options
    • Microsoft Repair Environment - after choosing the UK keyboard layout you will be asked to choose the Operating System you wish to repair. If Windows Vista is not listed then you cannot repair the OS without doing the full recovery. After choosing Vista the Microsoft Vista startup repair tool will run and attempt to repair any startup problems you are experiencing
    • Reinstall Windows - gives you the options available to reinstall Vista
    • Advanced Options - this launches the diagnostic centre allowing you to run chkdsk, launch notepad or bring up a command prompt
    • Exit & restart computer - Exits withut running the recovery process
  5. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Reinstall Windows
  6. On the next screen you have the ability to launch Vista System Restore and roll back to a date when Vista was last working ok or to run the Full Destructive Recovery. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Start Full Destructive Recovery
  7. After choosing the Full Destructive Recovery option you are presented with the warning screen that all data will be lost. It is important to make sure all data has been backed up to disk if possible and to realise this process deletes all data and reverts the machine back to it's default state. To continue with the recovery program you need to tick the box indicating you are aware of data loss
  8. The recovery process will then run through, the computer will restart a couple of times during this. You will also need to go through the Vista "Out of Box Experience", to configure Vista. This is fairly straightforward so just follow the onscreen instructions

Recovery DVD Creator

Your computer comes supplied with a hard drive based recovery allowing you to reinstall Windows Vista very easily should the need arise. You also have the ability to create a recovery DVD which is recommended on all machines. To create a recovery DVD (note - you cannot use CDs) do the following.

  1. Double click on the Techguys DVD icon on the desktop or from the start menu
  2. The first screen will prompt you to insert a DVD into your drive. Click OK.
  3. On the next screen make sure your DVD drive is selected in the 'To' field. To reduce the risk of errors ensure the write speed is set to the lowest value and tick verify recorded data. Click Burn
  4. Once the process has completed, label your DVD, keep it in a safe place and in a protective case to avoid damage

DVD Recovery

Should your Windows develop serious errors or fail to start, you can restore your computer back to factory settings by using the Recovery DVD you may have created or been sent.

To restore your computer back to factory settings, follow the steps below.

  1. Start the computer with the Recovery DVD in the optical disc drive
  2. After the usual startup screen has vanished press a key when prompted to load from the DVD
  3. Select the language you wish to install (normally English is the only option)
  4. Once you have chosen your language you will be presented with the available recovery options
    • Microsoft Repair Environment - after choosing the UK keyboard layout you will be asked to choose the Operating System you wish to repair. If Windows Vista is not listed then you cannot repair the OS without doing the full recovery. After choosing Vista the Microsoft Vista startup repair tool will run and attempt to repair any startup problems you are experiencing
    • Reinstall Windows - gives you the options available to reinstall Vista
    • Advanced Options - this launches the diagnostic centre allowing you to run chkdsk, launch notepad or bring up a command prompt
    • Exit & restart computer - Exits withut running the recovery process
  5. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Reinstall Windows
  6. On the next screen you have the ability to launch Vista System Restore and roll back to a date when Vista was last working ok or to run the Full Destructive Recovery. To continue with the recovery program you need to choose Start Full Destructive Recovery
  7. After choosing the Full Destructive Recovery option you are presented with the warning screen that all data will be lost. It is important to make sure all data has been backed up to disk if possible and to realise this process deletes all data and reverts the machine back to it's default state. To continue with the recovery program you need to tick the box indicating you are aware of data loss
  8. The recovery process will then run through, reinstalling Vista and also recreating the hard drive recovery system for future use.
  9. When it has finished copying files it will ask you to remove the DVD and then restart the computer. It will then go through setting up Vista, you will need to go through the Vista "Out of Box Experience". This is fairly straightforward so just follow the onscreen instructions