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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: VICTORIA on Thursday 08 August 13 14:26 BST (UK)
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Hi, I have just had a motherboard installed in my Toshiba Satellite L 300D Laptop.
When I picked it up from shop the enginer switched it on and Windows page booted up.
However when I turned it on at home a black screen appeared with this message.
Intel Undi PXE-2.1 ( build 082 )
Copyright ( C ) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation
For Realtek RTL 8101 E PCI-E
Ethernet Controller v1.07 ( 08320 )
PXE-E61: Media Test Failure check cable.
PXE-MOF.Exciting PXE ROM
Then Microsoft OS booted up.
I thought this was normal until a couple of days ago the dreaded blue screen appeared and closed my laptop down. I turned it back on and an addition to wording as on black screen above this was added. No bootable device - insert boot disk and press any letter.
I dont have boot disk. Laptop bought some time ago from PC World with OS already installed without any discs. Even if I did have boot ( start ) disk I do not have product key and none is attached to laptop. Before I go back to shop has anyone any reasons for this to happen
Any help appreciated
Victoria
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Take it back. Sounds like it might be a hard drive issue. It may be some of the connections might need rebedding.
No product key ??
jim
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Thanks will take it back tomorrow. ? Wouldn`t I need authentication product key to re install Windows ? or wouldn`t that be necessary.
Victoria
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There was a backup/reinstall on the hard drive, partition called D as I recall.
Brian
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Hi Victoria
I would also check the boot sequence within the BIOS. and make sure it is looking for your OS on the hard drive first.
You need the licence key to return a legal version to your PC. The original key matches the specific machine. You could also try PC World telling them that the lack of a key is causing you problems trying to get your PC repaired. They (or their supplier) should have a record of the key linked to the serial number of the PC so they can prove they have not used the same key on more than one machine.
Unfortunately the best time to make a restore disk is when you buy a new PC
Ken
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Victoria: Your repairman should be able to sort it quickly.
Really depends if he has deleted the restore partition on the hard drive.
Brian
[Just to add Victoria, assuming your repairman does his job can you get him to make you a restore disc. (Blank DVD -R disc required) 8)
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Hi
[ Turn the laptop over, the key should be on the "official windows" sticker. ]
Take the machine back to whoever "repaired" the laptop and tell them exactly what you have told us.
Ray
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Thanks for replies. PC World will only supply you with disk for £50:00 I took laptaptop back this morning. He said it was the hard drive. A new one he said would cost approx £99 but he said he could fit a reconditioned one for £20:00. I hope I am not being bad minded but ? what is a reconditioned hard drive ?. If hard drives can be reconditioned couldn`t the present one be reconditioned. I was willing to wait in shop while he fitted reconditioned one ( he removed drive out from bottom so easily ) I assumed a new one would just be fitted by just installing into laptap.
He said other things would have to be done and I can have it tomorrow. He said the hard drive was the boot disk ?? ???
Victoria
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Personally I would stay away from a reconditioned hard drive, you just do not know why it is so called 'reconditioned' or have any history of it's former life. Reconditioned could mean anything, from a customer return or a repair of some description.
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What are 'PC World' doing about the information that was on the hard drive Victoria?
Brian
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Thank you. My daughter bought laptop from PC World some time ago. I remember she had problem and that is when they asked her for £50:00 for disk. I dont think purchase would be on record now. Haven`t decided about reconditioned drive as yet. I will google for information.
Victoria
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Practically speaking there no such thing as a reconned hard drive.
They are sealed & there's little that can be done to fix one that's broken.
He's probably got some old laptops & he's taking one out to put in yours.
If you go for this option insist on having the old one back.
You may be able to get the data from it.
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Thanks, how would I get data from it. ???
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Victoria: See my reply No 5 :o
Should have done this instead of going to PC World ???
Brian
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how would I get data from it.
You can buy a lead that connects to your old drive externally thru' a USB. You may be able to view & transfer the data from it, this depend on what's wrong with it of course.
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Thanks for advice. Brian we went to PC World a couple of years ago just after laptop was bought and had problems. I am thankful for all help everyone has sent me, as a silver surfer I am not too "techy" minded. Will have to see what happens when I go back to repair shop. Will let you all know.
Victoria
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Pc World are good at selling a complete solution, I always go elsewhere for bits and pieces.
Brian - Also a silver surfer
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Victoria: Any further update on your laptop.
Last we were told, faulty hard drive (PC World) you would need original hard drive to be still in place for your local computer shop to do anything.
Brian
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Hi Brian, reluctantly I had refurbished drive installed. ( probably one from old laptop which had been ? cleaned ) I got fed up travelling back and forward into town carrying laptop. He charged me £20 and gave me what he said was drive that was removed from my laptop. Dont think it was my old drive as when I got home I had a look at date it said DOM 2012 ( ? date of manufacture )this could not be my old drive as I have had laptop for several years. Thinking of taking it to a computer engineer in a shop ( I just found ) closer to home to ask him if he can find any files on it, this will reveal if he lied to me.
Victoria
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hi victoria might not be broken check out this link https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?2655-PXE-E61-Media-Test-Failure-check-cable regards nick
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Thanks Nick, information looks good but too complicating for me ???
Victoria
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hi victoria what boot sequence means is what starts up first when pc starts up. on your laptop you probably have a cd drive a hard drive (where vista is installed) the ethernet port is where you put your cable to connect to internet. looks like it was not set up to start from hard drive. what you have to do is hit delete on keyboard when laptop starts. you will be presented with a list ,at the top one should say boot. press enter you will get boot priority at the top,press enter. should have a list of boot priority 1,2 and 3. do this then send me a message back
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Thank you for your help. The laptop has been repaired now by engineer. I had it fixed for my grandson who needs it for uni. If he has any problems I will get back to you.
Victoria
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:) :) :) :) :) :)
That's what I like to hear, hoping the laptop has found a loving home!
Brian