computer took a poop

[porsche4786]

My toshiba laptop (A55) is giving me some problems. It wasn't working worth a damn so I was going to re install windows. I have a copy of XP pro so I used that. I reformatted it and installed pro. (It came with xp home on the recovery cd from toshiba). The recovery cd will not let me get the drivers needed to use because it thinks this is the wrong computer I guess. Would toshiba actually make it so you can't upgrade to pro? Not sure what esle I can do.

[yamahonkawazuki]

usually recovery cd's are used before a total format. can you use the recovery cd, and then overwrite it to pro?

[porsche4786]

usually recovery cd's are used before a total format. can you use the recovery cd, and then overwrite it to pro?

I kinda tried to install windows with the recovery cd after I had installed pro but it was saying that it couldn't for some reason, may have to try again.

edit: i just tried to have it install using the recovery cd and it says "wrong computer!"

[CasiUSA]

You should be able to download the individual drivers manually from Toshiba:
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_modSel.jsp


What they most likely did was to have the drivers packaged with the recovery CD, so you may want to try there as well.

[porsche4786]

You should be able to download the individual drivers manually from Toshiba:
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_modSel.jsp


What they most likely did was to have the drivers packaged with the recovery CD, so you may want to try there as well.

yeah, i have the original recovery cd, and the drivers are on it, but the computer won't let me use the cd..or the cd won't let the computer use it. I am re writing the "DMI string" so that the computer will read the cd, something that was erased during the format. The file and instructions are from toshiba, so hopefully this works..

[frankieG]

damn computers...they are wonderful when they work

[porsche4786]

damn computers...they are wonderful when they work

then when they don't....i feel dead. pretty sad! 

[porsche4786]

okay, so when i did a full reformat, it got rid of the DMI string, whatever that is. I found this ... "You need to rewrite the DMI string in your machine so that the recovery disc will work. The utility is available at the Toshiba Tech Support website under the listing for your model. The filename is toshdmi10.exe." So for anybody with a toshiba, if you reformat and don't know about this here ya go...after that it will now read my recovery disk after i installed xp pro, so now i can get to all my drivers and factory programs.

[CndnMax]

thats kinda retarded, the Dell reinstallation disc doesn't care what computer u use it on and doesnt even ask for a cd key 

[97gs500e]

damn computers...they are wonderful when they work

+1
they're also wonderful when they're mac's too

[spc]

amen!!!!

[yamahonkawazuki]

damn computers...they are wonderful when they work

+1
they're also wonderful when they're mac's too

except for teh damned cost. but hmmm i wonder perhaps our resident techies here can answer it. ive built almost 20 pcs in 3 years, 16 of which were mine. ( built and tehn sold to finance next build. ) anyhoo, if i build a unit. can i load a macs os on it. ( essentially making a "white box" mac?)

[frankieG]

i had a mac in my office when i was in university the last time around.  and of course a pc at home.   i really did not have the patience for the mac so i did not really get used to the OS

[spc]

damn computers...they are wonderful when they work

+1
they're also wonderful when they're mac's too

except for teh damned cost. but hmmm i wonder perhaps our resident techies here can answer it. ive built almost 20 pcs in 3 years, 16 of which were mine. ( built and tehn sold to finance next build. ) anyhoo, if i build a unit. can i load a macs os on it. ( essentially making a "white box" mac?)

Ya know that's an interesting question.  I'll try to get my step-brother to ask one his tech geeks.   In theory, I don't see why it wouldn't work.  The new Mac's are running intel chips and the same RAM as most PC's.   

Side note:  There's an iMac in my local craigslist for $700 and a Mac Mini for $400............ I've actually been thinking about buying the Mac Mini to use as a desktop.