Advent 7066M 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 Mobile 1.50 GHz |
| Chipset | SiS 661 |
| Memory | 512MB PC2700 DDR SODIMM (2 x 256MB modules) |
| Hard Drive | 80GB |
| CD Drive | HL-DT-ST DVD+RW GCA-4040N |
| Screen | 12.1" TFT |
| Video Card | SiS 661FX |
| Sound Card | Realtek AC'97 |
| Modem | Creatix 2.0 AC'97 |
| Network Card | SiS 900 Prism 802.11g wireless LAN * |
| PC Card | 1x Type I/II |
| Ports | 3x USB 1x PC Card Slot 1x Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/Memory Stick) 1x Modem 1x LAN 1x VGA |
| Touchpad | Synaptics Touchpad |
| Battery | SMP MS1006 Lithium-ion battery |
| Power Supply | FSP090-1ADC21 |
| Dimensions | 28 x 303 x 225 (HxWxD in mm) |
| Weight | 1.7kg |
| Made By | Medion SIM2000 (MD95092) |
* Switch wireless card on/off using button to the right of power button.
Drivers
Your laptop should have a backup copy of all the drivers, you can find it by browsing to the c:\applications\drivers folder. If this folder is missing then you can some of them from The Tech Guys website.
The 7066M is basically a rebadged Medion SIM2000 so you can also download the drivers + user manual by going to the Medion website - http://www.medion.co.uk/service/?drivers_updates/drivers_updates.htm - and entering the 5-digit MD number printed on the underside of your laptop in the middle search box.
Memory Upgrades
The memory slots on this laptop are accessed by removing the keyboard. I've never been able to find any official instuctions on how to do this, but the method outlined below seems to work ok -
- Take the battery out
- From the underneath remove the screw next to the battery release catch
- Push the plastic moulding in the battery bay held on by the 3 clips upwards until the plastic bit with the power & function buttons comes out. It should now be possible to lift up the keyboard. Take great care not to damage the ribbon cable and do not disconnect it
- Remove the screw in the metal plate near the fan and you should be able to access the memory
Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance.
In the Box
Disks Supplied
- Advent version 2.x recovery CD
- Microsoft Works 7.0
- Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD
Items Supplied
- Advent 7066M notebook
- Li-ion SMP MS1006 14.4V 4400mAh battery
- FSP090-1ADC21. Output: 19V - 4.7A
- 3-pin "Mickey Mouse" power cable
- UK modem cable
Documentation Supplied
- Advent notebook manual
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition "Start here" guide
Recovery Disc
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/.
Due to the nature of the recovery process you should not use FDISK or any other partition management software to delete the partition on your Advent computer. Doing so will prevent the recovery from functioning correctly. If the recovery asks for a second CD you will need to obtain an Update CD from Advent.
To recover your Advent PC you will need your Advent System Recovery CD.
- Place the CD into the DVD drive and restart your computer.
- Press R on the keyboard when prompted.
- The recovery will load and display a menu of options:
- Non-destructive recovery: This option will restore Windows, supplied applications, and drivers. This option will not destroy your documents or programs. These will be backed up along with the registry. These are restored at the end of the recovery process.
- System Recovery - No format: This will reinstall Windows, supplied applications and drivers. It will move your files to a folder called "My old disk structure". Any applications (except those supplied) will need to be reinstalled.
- System Recovery - Quick format: This option will erase your hard drive including your personal files. Windows, supplied applications and drivers will be reinstalled.
- Select the Non-destructive recovery option and press Next.
- You will be informed about System Restore in Windows, click Yes.
- The recovery will begin. Once this is complete you should eject the CD and click Restart.
Additional information.
Press the ALT and D keys at the recovery menu to access a command prompt. This will allow access to C: drive. The command prompt will default to E:\i386\system32 where you can run a variety of tools including CHKDSK.EXE.
Reinstalling applications
From version 2.x of the recovery system onwards you can install applications from the c:\applications folder. Drivers can be installed from the c:\applications\drivers folder and utilities from the c:\applications\tools folder. You will still need to install Microsoft Works from the supplied CD.
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