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#166
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
If you mean does it matter when I click the Admin or User
account sooner, does it affect performance, no but connecting to the internet, yes because the slowness has remained throughout all of this. Previously, the 8500 connected as fast or faster than the 780. The 8500 came up with Malwarebytes not started again. I tried restarting and then powering off (3) times with the same result. http://i66.tinypic.com/2ef0sc7.jpg - Malwarebytes not started and connected with no other issues aside from still being slow. The 780 connected immediately with no problems or issues. At this point since we seem to be out of options, maybe we should re-install the OS? However, Dell didn't give me any master disks only (2) drivers and utility disks. So how do I go about it? and I just extracted the bookmarks and put them on the patriot key. This also means all the Clones and Mrimgs files are useless because they are also corrupted and have to re-do everything, including opening the 8500 for the first test boot once I re-clone the spare drive, correct?. Thoughts/suggestions? Robert |
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#167
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Since refreshing FF didn't work and nothing else has, how about I do a system restore with a date as far back as I can go? What do you think? Robert |
#168
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Unfortunately, when I refreshed FF
it must of wiped the restore points clean because it only has yesterday. hmmmmmmm maybe try a mrimg restore? or try the re-installing the OS? Robert |
#169
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Mark Twain wrote:
If you mean does it matter when I click the Admin or User account sooner, does it affect performance, no but connecting to the internet, yes because the slowness has remained throughout all of this. Previously, the 8500 connected as fast or faster than the 780. The 8500 came up with Malwarebytes not started again. I tried restarting and then powering off (3) times with the same result. http://i66.tinypic.com/2ef0sc7.jpg - Malwarebytes not started and connected with no other issues aside from still being slow. The 780 connected immediately with no problems or issues. At this point since we seem to be out of options, maybe we should re-install the OS? However, Dell didn't give me any master disks only (2) drivers and utility disks. So how do I go about it? and I just extracted the bookmarks and put them on the patriot key. This also means all the Clones and Mrimgs files are useless because they are also corrupted and have to re-do everything, including opening the 8500 for the first test boot once I re-clone the spare drive, correct?. Thoughts/suggestions? Robert Getting Win7 images now is a bit of a problem. The COA sticker on the 8500 and on the 780, the key from that will not make the Microsoft download page for Windows 7 work. I tried this using the COA from my laptop. The system builder license key off my Test Computer, that one worked. But OEM (Dell) keys are no good for getting reinstall ISOs. To fix that, use the tool on heidoc. First, check that they support the version you need. https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/techno...download-links Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-59186.iso latest and greatest The download tool is this thing. There is a link on the page for this. https://www.heidoc.net/php/Windows%2...Downloader.exe Note that, the tool doesn't actually download anything. What the tool does, is "generate a URL for the browser". The instructions are here. https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/techno...-download-tool On the right-hand side in the picture, below the "Choose Version" table, is a gray rectangle "copy link for 64 bit". Once you've made your selection following the instructions, the gray button should activate. When you click the button at that point, it's like doing a Copy&Paste kinda thing. Right after clicking the button, flip over to your browser, and Paste the URL into your browser URL bar. When you hit return in your browser, your download should start immediately. What the tool does, is convince the Microsoft download page to provide a copy of the OS. The link is valid for 24 hours. You must complete the download within 24 hours, as after that period of time, the temporarily generated file on the Microsoft server you are downloading, will be deleted. You can compute a checksum of the disc later, and Google it. To see if it is valid. For example, you can use Microsoft fciv checksum tool. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/841290 cd /d C:\users\rob\Downloads fciv -sha1 X17-59186.iso and it will compute a SHA1 checksum. If you Google that checksum value, you can figure out after a bit of work, whether it seems legit. Since you are downloading from the Microsoft site, chances are good that it is. When you paste the link into the browser, the URL will give you some idea where it is coming from. I got a couple ISOs off DigitalRiver while it was still open, but those days are over now. With any luck, you might be able to convince Microsoft to give you a copy :-) Paul |
#170
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Mark Twain wrote:
Unfortunately, when I refreshed FF it must of wiped the restore points clean because it only has yesterday. hmmmmmmm maybe try a mrimg restore? or try the re-installing the OS? Robert When you reinstall the OS... 1) You have that MRIMG you've been using to restore C: so far. That can serve as your repair source if the installation doesn't work well. 2) You can make a backup of what you've got now, if you are at all concerned about losing some data files or whatever. 3) It is a very good idea to have your driver files all queued up. When a Dell tells you to burn recovery discs, one of the discs has "driver collection". And that disc has most of what you need. The video card you added to the computer, you'd probably want to keep the file for that handy on a USB stick. Another thing you can search for now, is a copy of the RealTek NIC driver. That would be especially useful, if you don't have a Dell driver disc. So besides acquiring a Win7 Pro disc, that's another project you will need to work on. You cannot easily "bootstrap" yourself, if the NIC driver is missing. Sometimes Win7 DVD has the NDIS driver on the media, and something will install for you. But like a Boy Scout, you have to Be Prepared. If I was doing it, I'd track down a driver. (The 780, because it has Management Engine, it probably has an Intel NIC. While the 8500 might be RealTek. Check Device Manager and see.) The PCI Express RealTek NICs are here. This would be my best guess what the 8500 could be using. Maybe you can confirm the part number of the NIC somehow ? http://www.realtek.com/downloads/dow...&GetDown=false HTH, Paul |
#171
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Seems every time I ask a question, I
open a Pandora's box,...... I have to think about all of this,.... We've already been at a long time.... Robert |
#172
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Mark Twain wrote:
Seems every time I ask a question, I open a Pandora's box,...... I have to think about all of this,.... We've already been at a long time.... Robert I don't think installing OSes is all that difficult. But it is work and takes time. Practice makes perfect. You have two computers, and the 780 can be used to download drivers as required. If you only had one working computer, then you'd have to be *much* more prepared before starting. You're living in luxury with two :-) My record so far, is I have managed to break two computers (at the same time), requiring a third to get the materials I needed. But that was some years ago :-) Even if you had zero drivers, the machine should come up after the installation is complete. The purpose of having driver materials available, is to reduce the interval until things are in decent shape. Only the hard drive receiving the OS should be present during the install. And I think your machine is set up that way anyway (the external can be disconnected). Paul |
#173
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
So if I understand you correctly, that
even if I do this it may or may not be a verified copy of Win 7 and then I'm back where I started. Worst, then I would have to do a Mrimg to restore. What about buying a hard copy? I would much rather buy a hard copy and have something I could always use. The only other option is to leave things as is, just like your problem. Robert |
#174
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Mark Twain wrote:
So if I understand you correctly, that even if I do this it may or may not be a verified copy of Win 7 and then I'm back where I started. Worst, then I would have to do a Mrimg to restore. What about buying a hard copy? I would much rather buy a hard copy and have something I could always use. The only other option is to leave things as is, just like your problem. Robert You *do not* have to buy a hard copy. You download an official Microsoft ISO, using a tool that generates the dynamic URL for it. Try to make sure it matches the OS type, installed on the computer already. If you have Dell Win7 Professional x64, you download a Retail Win7 Professional x64 (and use the license key printed on your COA sticker). Then, burn a DVD if you want a permanent disc to hold in your hand. What I'm trying to teach you, is when you download stuff, to use whatever means are available to verify the authenticity. You can tell in this case it is authentic, because the URL should be pointed at Microsoft. But, it never hurts to checksum the resulting ISO, to make sure it is complete. If you were using BitTorrent, to get an ISO from an unknown source (uploader), it would be a different matter, and you'd have to be a lot more careful. The URL in this case, you can look at it, before you do the download. Paul |
#175
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Mark Twain wrote:
So if I understand you correctly, that even if I do this it may or may not be a verified copy of Win 7 and then I'm back where I started. Worst, then I would have to do a Mrimg to restore. What about buying a hard copy? I would much rather buy a hard copy and have something I could always use. The only other option is to leave things as is, just like your problem. Robert And in terms of your materials in hand: 8500 - doesn't this have the factory recovery partition still on it ? You can use the hidden copy of the Dell OS, and restore that. - restoring the Dell factory OS, requires no typing of the license key. Only any new hardware (like, if you replaced the video card) would need a new video driver. The Dell OS already has the vast majority of drivers in place for immediate usage. - If you use a Windows 7 Pro DVD to do the install, you would need the license key from the COA sticker on the 8500. (That's what I did to my OEM laptop, instead of using the factory restore image.) 780 (refurbished) - Probably does not have a factory restore partition. - OS parentage is uncertain. - An ideal situation, would be finding either a factory partition, or being given install media in the box. - To be maintainable, a COA sticker would be nice. Pulling a key with Belarc Advisor or MagicalJellyBean, may not find the key to be usable for separate installations. - If no restoration materials of any kind come with the box, then using the downloaded Microsoft DVD image is the only option. No drivers of note would come with it, so you'd want to have your video driver handy perhaps. You should download Microsoft media now, in case a day comes where even that is unavailable any more. The factory restore is triggered by typing things like "ctrl-F11" (using the Control key) at startup. http://en.community.dell.com/support...524/t/19420706 Only if that is broken, do you look at the following site to try to fix it. It looks like the restore software assumes the second partition is C: and it puts a copy of the OS in there. So you would want to look at the hard drive as it stands now, to see if the setup at all resembles a factory setup. (In other words, you want to make sure you haven't messed up the boot drive too much. The restore does tolerate a change to the size of C: and all it needs is maybe 20GB of space to stuff the restore back into place.) http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/ http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/recover.shtml Paul |
#176
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Here's the 8500:
http://i65.tinypic.com/1gi3gy.jpg - C: drive How do I access the recovery partition in the 8500 to restore it? Joy Systems says they loaded genuine Windows 7 OS on the 780 To access and type the product key I had to tap down the down arrow key until it entered the Windows Boot Manager appeared with two options: Windows 7 System Restore I need to remind you of something ,.. I'm disabled and right now I have a sciatic problem on my left and a previous sciatic problem on my right that is flaring up so 'practice makes perfect' doesn't work for me. I'm in pain as I write this and have been throughout. This is why I didn't want to delve into the problem not because I'm not interested. Robert |
#177
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Mark Twain wrote:
Here's the 8500: http://i65.tinypic.com/1gi3gy.jpg - C: drive How do I access the recovery partition in the 8500 to restore it? Joy Systems says they loaded genuine Windows 7 OS on the 780 To access and type the product key I had to tap down the down arrow key until it entered the Windows Boot Manager appeared with two options: Windows 7 System Restore I need to remind you of something ,.. I'm disabled and right now I have a sciatic problem on my left and a previous sciatic problem on my right that is flaring up so 'practice makes perfect' doesn't work for me. I'm in pain as I write this and have been throughout. This is why I didn't want to delve into the problem not because I'm not interested. Robert You have some options: 1) Leave the 8500 booted. Wait however long it takes for the network icon to appear. Use the computer as normal. At the end of a session, select "Sleep" from the shutdown menu. (Or even better, but a bit slower, use "Hibernate" from the menu.) These should be options in the shutdown menu. This stops the vast majority of power usage of the computer, and the monitor should go dim when the signal is lost from the computer. As long as the Device Manager entry for the keyboard, is set in the Power Management, to "Allow this device to wake the computer", you can tap a key to cause the computer to pick up where it left off. I generally disable "wake" capability, on both my mouse and NIC. And enable it on the keyboard. Then, tapping a key on the keyboard wakes the computer from one of the two states mentioned above. I cannot predict whether there will be "limited connectivity" on a restart, but maybe it will come back with the network working. This is not a good idea, if you have frequent power outages. My computer is on a UPS, so sleep is a viable option if I'm present to do a full shutdown of it, when required. Sleep is faster to do at shutdown time, hibernate is a bit slower, hibernate is "power safe" so if the power goes off, hibernate comes back in any case. 2) It looks like the 8500 might still support the alt-F11 restore, because the 24GB partition looks large enough to restore the original Dell software. So you can try the restore if you want to, when you're feeling better. 3) The idea of getting an ISO9660 file for future use, is still a good one. If it was me, I would acquire Microsoft media, consistent with the trim level of both the 8500 and 780. (If they both use Professional, get a Professional x64 disc for download.) Then, you will have one more option later. You can burn a DVD, the day you need it, rather than wasting the DVD now and needing to store it somewhere. I keep all my burned media in plastic jewel boxes. The network icon delay is annoying, but since it eventually clears, at the moment you don't need to do a thing. And when you're feeling better, you can review your options again, weighing the nuisance level of the network icon issue, versus the amount of work involved dealing with it. Paul |
#178
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
hmmmmmm whether I use the alt-F11 or download the
ISO966 file to burn a disk to have my Win 7 OS disk for the 8500 I see that I'll still have to do my backups and get all the drivers queued up meaning up to date? Are you talking about Windows update? Should I make a make a Mrimg to store my data? or? I can then try and re-install it from that point. I do feel better now,...... thanks I think I would like to try the Alt-f11 first, and then whether it fails or not I would like to burn a Win 7 Professional OS disk. Robert |
#179
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
Mark Twain wrote:
hmmmmmm whether I use the alt-F11 or download the ISO966 file to burn a disk to have my Win 7 OS disk for the 8500 I see that I'll still have to do my backups and get all the drivers queued up meaning up to date? Are you talking about Windows update? Should I make a make a Mrimg to store my data? or? I can then try and re-install it from that point. I do feel better now,...... thanks I think I would like to try the Alt-f11 first, and then whether it fails or not I would like to burn a Win 7 Professional OS disk. Robert Well, you have one MRIMG already that you've used to restore the machine with. Do you still have that, and does that backup include all the partitions on the disk ? As for the version, I thought both of your machines use Win7 SP1 x64 Professional, so I was hoping one download would cover both of them. The alt-F11 (or whatever key the manual says to use), should be all ready to go in terms of making the computer work. It's when you decide to install a Microsoft version of OS (download the DVD), using the COA key off the computer case, that you want your driver disc handy. And if you don't have the driver disk, nothing stops you from doing it the old-fashioned way (download the drivers one at a time off the Internet). Dell support page will have most of them. And if you want a newer video driver, you could get that from the NVidia geforce.com site. The advantage of the driver disc, is it's a good device for showing you the list of drivers that are included by the manufacturer. So you don't have to make the list with a pencil and paper and staring at Device Manager. And while you might consider it to be a bore, I like to burn my media while the computers are still working :-) Not all media has equal value, and more than half my collection of discs here is garbage. But there are some discs that I would want prepared in advance. In case I needed a way to boot the computer to fix something. Occasionally, I might need the services of a Command Prompt, to use bcdedit or DiskPart, to fix something. And that Win7 DVD can be used for that. Another disc of value, which you've already got, is your Macrium disc for Bare Metal Restore. So those are examples of "good" ones. Some of my others are so out of date, they won't boot the Test Computer (hardware is too new). Paul |
#180
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O.T. - Connection Problem:
I downloaded the ISO file and put it on
the Patriot Key: http://i67.tinypic.com/fx45xx.jpg - download complete http://i67.tinypic.com/5y5f6e.jpg - Win 7 file on Patriot key Robert |
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