Advent 8465 Laptop
Specification
| CPU | Mobile Intel Pentium III 650 MHz |
| Memory | 128MB PC133 SDRAM SODIMM (1 memory slot. Max 192MB) |
| Hard Drive | 12 GB Hitachi |
| CD Drive | 6 x Toshiba DVD ROM |
| Floppy Drive | Floppy disk drive fitted |
| Screen | 14.1" TFT (Native Res.1024x768) |
| Video Card | S3 Savage/MX 3D 8MB |
| Sound Card | Aureal Vortex |
| Modem | Rockwell SoftK56 |
| Ports | 1x Headphone 1x Mic in 1x Audio In 1x Serial Port 1x Parallel Port 1x Docking Port 1x Modem 1x VGA 1x TV Out 1x PS/2 Port 2x USB 1x Kensington Lock Port 2x PC Card (PCMCIA) 1x IrDA |
| Made By | Asus L8400 series |
Drivers
The laptop should have been supplied with a "Notebook Utility CD" which contains a copy of the drivers.
The 8465 is basically a rebadged Asus L8400 series notebook (this should be printed on the underside of the laptop) so you can download the drivers from the Asus website. I'm not 100% sure on the exact model number but it could be the L84B.
Memory Upgrades
This laptop has one memory upgrade slot which is accessed by removing the keyboard. It also has 64MB built into the motherboard, this cannot be removed or upgraded.
Adding RAM is the most cost effective way to boost your computer's performance.
Function Keys
Fn + F1 - Places the notebook in suspend mode
Fn + F5 - Programmable key
Fn + F6 - Programmable key
Fn + F7 - Toggles the display panel on/off
Fn + F8 - Toggles between LCD, External Monitor, and LCD+External Monitor
Fn + F9 - Toggles the TV output on/off
Fn + Num Lk - Toggles the numeric keypad on/off
Fn + Up Arrow - Increase screen brightness
Fn + Down Arrow - Decrease screen brightness
In the Box
Disks Supplied
- Recovery CD & Bootdisk
- Microsoft Windows 98 SE CD
- Notebook Utilities and Drivers CD
Items Supplied
- Advent 8465 notebook
- Mains power adapter
- UK modem cable
Documentation Supplied
- User manual
- Read This First booklet
- Troubleshooting manual
- Warranty booklet
- Getting started with Microsoft Windows 98SE
- Freeserve document
Recovery
The recovery process will restore your computer to its "out of the box" state. This will delete all your personal files. Make sure that you save these to disk before you begin. Once the computer has been recovered you will not be able to retreive these files.
A Bootable Recovery CD is supplied with these machines (some earlier machines are supplied with a bootable floppy disk). To recover the system:-
- Insert the CD (and floppy disk if required) into the appropriate drive.
- Reboot your PC.
- You will be asked if you wish to proceed. Press Y followed by Enter. Note. This procedure will erase all your files, make sure that you save any important files to disk before you begin this procedure.
- The Ghost program will now be load, this takes a little time so be patient.
- You will be presented with another screen asking if you wish to load partition information, press Y at this point at the recovery will begin.
- The recovery is a simple ghost procedure and upon completion you will be asked to remove the bootable recovery CD and floppy disk and restart the computer.
- The computer should now be recovered back to manufacturers defaults.
If the recovery procedure asks for a password at any point then the password is "maximum".
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 Knowhow (basically "The Tech Guys" under a new name), their website is http://www.knowhow.com/. If you laptop is covered under warranty then you need to contact them for repairs.
There are also plenty of other companies that do repairs or supply spare parts, here is a selection -
TechnoMart - http://www.techno-mart.co.uk
DriveMyLaptop (replacement drives) - http://www.drivemylaptop.co.uk
Laptop Solutions UK - http://www.laptopsolutionsuk.co.uk
PartMaster (spare parts) - http://www.partmaster.co.uk