1. The manual will sometimes indicate if those cards can be changed.Wifi cards do seem often to be replaceable - more so than graphic adapters.This is the service manual for your model:http://tinyurl.com/377fyg9from which it appears that the max RAM is typically 4Gig; but with "appropriate" memory chipRead more

    The manual will sometimes indicate if those cards can be changed.

    Wifi cards do seem often to be replaceable – more so than graphic adapters.

    This is the service manual for your model:

    http://tinyurl.com/377fyg9

    from which it appears that the max RAM is typically 4Gig; but with “appropriate” memory chips it could be a high as 8Gig – there appear to be two types of RAM modules possible (info at chapter 1 page 1). Oddly at chapter 1 – page 19… the RAM max seems to be 4Gig?

    Wifi module is removable; as is bluetooth, and surprisingly – the cpu seems to be too (though whether or not you can find another faster etc. cpu to upgrade to?). Likewise the webcam… I don’t see any references to removing a graphics adapter; which would lead one to conclude it’s hardwired/integrated within the motherboard. I note the specs do show several graphic adapters – depending on which model laptop you have; but in the manual there is no reference to actual removal of such adapters… Possibly a call to Acer themselves may shed light on that aspect?

    If you do decide to have a go stripping down the laptop – ensure you use screwdrivers with the correct sizes and styles head. Also I suggest you “carefully” note where each screw was prior to removal. Often screws look identical to the naked eye – but aren’t in actuality. Apple use a a mix of almost identical screws to hold the base of Macbooks in place; the screws look the same – but are either different lengths, or have collars, and/or are pan or countersunk heads. I would suggest taking a piece of stiff paper or thin card and insert (or tape?) each screw into (onto) it such away as to clearly show where it came from on the laptop (perhaps with a simple map/outline of the laptop itself drawn on the card).

    These youtube videos may be of interest too (although the poor audio and a high degree of wobbly-cam do make them less than easy to follow at times…)

    http://tinyurl.com/k2po2hw

    http://tinyurl.com/ok9usoj

    http://tinyurl.com/oos859o

    And if one goes parts hunting… it seems to confirm the motherboards do use an integrated graphic card/adapter… An example here:

    http://tinyurl.com/llkkrpk

    message edited by trvlr

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  2. Oh yeah,that's right, pure dos--even 98 dos--will only see files in 8.3 format.Since you appear to have the necessary boot files we can try setting up the flash drive to run the update by itself.I assume you downloaded the most recent update file--P5GC-MX-ASUS-1333-0413.zip--and flasher file--AFUDOSRead more

    Oh yeah,that’s right, pure dos–even 98 dos–will only see files in 8.3 format.

    Since you appear to have the necessary boot files we can try setting up the flash drive to run the update by itself.

    I assume you downloaded the most recent update file–P5GC-MX-ASUS-1333-0413.zip–and flasher file–AFUDOS236.zip–and extracted them and copied them to the flash drive.

    You need to rename the update file on the flash drive so it complies with dos 8.3 format. Your example will work fine so rename it from
    P5GC-MX-ASUS-1333-0413.ROM to P5GC.ROM. (Sometimes when you rename files you unintentionally get a doiuble extension so take a good look at the renamed file and make sure it’s just P5GC.ROM and not P5GC.ROM.ROM.)

    Then use NOTEPAD and write in it a single line exactly as:

    AFU236U /iP5GC.ROM

    Save that file as AUTOEXEC.BAT on the flash drive.

    So the only files on the flash drive should be the two hidden dos boot files–io.sys and msdos.sys–as well as command.com, afu236u.exe, p5gc.rom and autoexec.bat.

    With that, the drive should be ready to go. Autoexec.bat will run on it’s own and give the command to do the update. Now it’s possible part of the update process will ask something like ‘are you sure you want to do the update’ which of coiurse will require a keyboard response.

    If that happens shut down the computer and remove the flash drive and put it in the working computer. Run notepad again and open the autoexec.bat file on the flash drive. Edit the line from:

    AFU236U /iP5GC.ROM

    to:

    AFU236U /iP5GC.ROM /y

    Adding the /y is sometimes seen by the command as answering ‘yes’ to its built-in question. It may or may not work in your case but give it a try if you are asked the ‘are you sure’ question. If that doesn’t work then we’ll have to find a flasher that is compatible with the bios chip and won’t pause to ask questions.

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  3. Your problem is most likely a power problem. When you just restart, everything is still running at a minimum draw, but as processes start, hardware warms, drivers load, the power supply's components themselves warm, the draw on the power supply goes up and the available available current goes down (Read more

    Best Answer

    Your problem is most likely a power problem. When you just restart, everything is still running at a minimum draw, but as processes start, hardware warms, drivers load, the power supply’s components themselves warm, the draw on the power supply goes up and the available available current goes down (especially on a cheaper power supply). The make and model of your power supply, or at least the full specs INCLUDING the amperage on it’s 12Volt rail(s) would help confirm you need more power. You should look for a power supply with the following:
    A quality name brand.
    80% efficiency rating ‘bronze’ (or higher)
    A SINGLE 12 Volt rail (very important) NOT multiple rails.
    500 to 650 Watts with a significant number of Amps on the 12 Volt rail.
    Look at the top 5 on this page:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ…
    These all have between 38Amps and 50 Amps on the 12 Volt rail and all are quality products. Yours probably does not.

    You have to be a little bit crazy to keep you from going insane.

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  4. > Make sure it's not something simple like a brightness or> contrast adjustment. That happened to me once. I needed to make the room dark,so I turned the brightness all the way down. A few minutes laterI shut the computer off. When I started it the next day, I failed torecall that I turned theRead more

    > Make sure it’s not something simple like a brightness or
    > contrast adjustment.

    That happened to me once. I needed to make the room dark,
    so I turned the brightness all the way down. A few minutes later
    I shut the computer off. When I started it the next day, I failed to
    recall that I turned the brightness down, so I thought something
    was seriously wrong, and had to get help from a friend to fix it.
    He turned the brightness up and said it was the easiest fix he’d
    ever done.

    — Jeff, in Minneapolis

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  5. The manual also indicates a solid LED on could mean the paper roll isn't properly installed. This could also mean the paper being properly threaded through the rollers. Check the paper path. Grab yourself a can of compressed air at you local computer/office supply store and blow out the paper path rRead more

    The manual also indicates a solid LED on could mean the paper roll isn’t properly installed. This could also mean the paper being properly threaded through the rollers. Check the paper path.

    Grab yourself a can of compressed air at you local computer/office supply store and blow out the paper path really good. Paper dust can sometimes cover infrared paper sensors and give false errors.

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  6. Of course, 2GB isn't nearly enough RAM for W8.1. How is the HDD partitioned? W7 & W8 setup the HDD differently so you will have to delete the System Reserved partition & the Windows partition & they will then be combined into unallocated space. Create a new partition, format, then continRead more

    Of course, 2GB isn’t nearly enough RAM for W8.1. How is the HDD partitioned? W7 & W8 setup the HDD differently so you will have to delete the System Reserved partition & the Windows partition & they will then be combined into unallocated space. Create a new partition, format, then continue with the installation.

    Assuming you have a SATA HDD, you will need to create an XP installation disc with the SATA drivers slipstreamed into it. I’m guessing you already did that using nLite?

    I think you’re making a mistake installing XP at this late stage, have you ever considered Linux?

    http://zorin-os.com/tour.html

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  7. "Sony vaio PCGF70A"Old Sony models have TWO model numbers. One on a label on the outside of the computer, and one shown in the bios Setup.Sony only has info about the model number shown in the bios Setup. The model shown in the bios Setup in this case can be any one of:PCGF701, PCGF707, PCGF709, orRead more

    “Sony vaio PCGF70A”

    Old Sony models have TWO model numbers. One on a label on the outside of the computer, and one shown in the bios Setup.

    Sony only has info about the model number shown in the bios Setup.

    The model shown in the bios Setup in this case can be any one of:

    PCGF701, PCGF707, PCGF709, or PCGF709K
    ….

    For PCGF701, PCGF707, and PCGF709

    Instruction / Operation Manual
    ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/manuals/Notebooks/F/F700/F700_H_UK.pdf

    (copy the link to your address line)

    Bios Setup Menu screen – page 81

    Many references to See Sony Notebook Setup in Software guide

    Software manual
    ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/manuals/Notebooks/F/F700/F700_S_UK.pdf

    (copy the link to your address line)

    Customizing your notebook computer – Sony Notebook Setup

    Not much there.

    “For more information about each option, click on Help in the Notebook setup screen to display the help file.”
    …..

    Both manuals also available in German and French:
    http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/pr…
    ….

    Support for PCGF701:
    http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/pr…

    440BX Celeron 500

    Support for PCGF707:
    http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/pr…

    440BX PIII 600

    Support for PCGF709, or PCGF709K:
    http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/pr…

    440BX PIII 750
    …..

    Your notebook came with either Windows 98SE or Windows 2000.

    XP just barely runs as it was intended to when you have 256 mb of ram installed.

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  8. As you want all users to be able to run the program, open a Run window (Windows Logo key+R), type Shell:Common Startup and press Enter. Now drag the program’s shortcut to the open Startup folder. FYI. If it’s for your account only, type Shell:Startup, press Enter and drag the shortcut to it.

    As you want all users to be able to run the program, open a Run window (Windows Logo key+R), type Shell:Common Startup and press Enter. Now drag the program’s shortcut to the open Startup folder.

    FYI. If it’s for your account only, type Shell:Startup, press Enter and drag the shortcut to it.

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  9. See this (typo 'but' for 'bit' on there):https://www.ricksdailytips.com/wind...Your 32 bit spec is the issue.Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanksmessage edited by Derek

    See this (typo ‘but’ for ‘bit’ on there):
    https://www.ricksdailytips.com/wind…
    Your 32 bit spec is the issue.

    Always pop back and let us know the outcome – thanks

    message edited by Derek

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