So...damn...angry!

[Broomjockey]

I must be spoiled by HP then, you pop the general big battery out, then there is a little flap on the back you unscrew 2 screws to remove, and the battery for the bios is right there. Pop it all out/off, wait five and put everything back together =(

The thing is, I'm not even sure what you're proposing to fix with this. It passes POST. Clearing the CMOS isn't going to do much. It's an OS-level issue.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Well, howdy campers. I'm typing this from my old laptop. I found the boot disk for my version of Windows and re-installed it.

It appears all my old files were saved, which is good because I had stuff I really didn't want to lose, such as vacation photos. However, I'll be limited to using IE since Firefox seemed not to want to work.

Still, it beats the hell out of using my sister's old laptop. That thing was slow and ancient.

BTW, I'm still getting the new laptop. At least this way I can get my files where they need to be when the new one comes, and then wipe my old laptop clean.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Let's just say it's a damn good thing I could get my old laptop working again. Otherwise I'd be irate right now. Irv smash. I'd be feeling like I just got the screwing of a lifetime, even though it's probably my own fault.

My new computer arrived about an hour ago. I went to get it all set up--and found no place to plug in the phone. There was a port on the side that the cord kinda fit into but not quite.

Dug out my instructions and found there should be a modem port on the other side. Turn the computer around to find--the spot for the modem port covered up. Apparently this brand spankin' new machine came without a modem, so dial-up internet is a no go.

I thought a modem would be a standard piece of equipment on a computer, like a radio in a car. I mean, some people cannot use wireless or high-speed internet or can't afford it, so why should they have to do extra research and purchase additional equipment? Still, I recognize this is probably my own fault. I should've read the specifications more carefully.

All is not lost. I signed up for high-speed wireless internet with AT&T for about twenty bucks a month for a year. I should have the equipment necessary for it tomorrow and the service will be set up in their system sometime between 8 am and 5 pm tomorrow. I will be getting something that plugs into the phone jack, and I had wanted to get rid of my landline anyway. But if for some reason this does not work, my options are:

• Keep my old computer and return the new one
• Try to find a modem for the new computer and install it
• Admire my new $600 paperweight

I guess I'll know everything I need to by tomorrow night. I really don't want to have to return this new computer. It's a nice machine.

[Broomjockey]

I thought a modem would be a standard piece of equipment on a computer, like a radio in a car.

Sorry, hasn't been that way for a long time. Not putting a modem in a laptop saves space and component cost, and there's not as much requirement for a modem in a laptop anymore. After all, dial-up usually requires specific settings, and a laptop is assumed to be moving to different locations, meaning it'd need different settings at each place you take it to. A modem in a laptop just simply reached the point where it's a niche product. It's more comparable to one of those built-in VCR/DVD units for cars. Most people operating the vehicle won't need it, or particularly want it, and would rather save the space and cash it'd otherwise cost, but those who want it appreciate it.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I've made up my mind. I'm returning the new computer. No sense in plunking down $600 for something that may not work the way I want it to, and something I wouldn't have needed anyway had I not gotten so wound up in the first place.

There's a Best Buy store half an hour south of me. I'll go there.

[trailerparkmedic]

Hope I catch you before you return the laptop--I don't know about all ATT internet, but mine is wireless (I have a uverse package with TV & internet). Almost all laptops have wi-fi built in now, so there's probably a good chance that it would work.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

You're too late. I just got back. I got back the entire amount I paid, with no restocking fee.

The girl at the counter was very nice. Next time I decide to buy a laptop, I think I will just go right to that store.

Assuming the wireless internet works, my computer should work with it too. I wasn't happy about having to shell out for a new laptop anyway when this all started. Now I can put the money I would've spent in savings or put some of it toward replacing my computer.

Next question--how do I go about removing the old, borked version of Windows from my computer? When I start it up, it gives me the option to choose between Microsoft Windows Vista (the new version) and Windows Vista (the borked version). The recovery disk (D) on my computer is getting dangerously full.

[AccountingDrone]

You're too late. I just got back. I got back the entire amount I paid, with no restocking fee.

The girl at the counter was very nice. Next time I decide to buy a laptop, I think I will just go right to that store.

Assuming the wireless internet works, my computer should work with it too. I wasn't happy about having to shell out for a new laptop anyway when this all started. Now I can put the money I would've spent in savings or put some of it toward replacing my computer.

Next question--how do I go about removing the old, borked version of Windows from my computer? When I start it up, it gives me the option to choose between Microsoft Windows Vista (the new version) and Windows Vista (the borked version). The recovery disk (D) on my computer is getting dangerously full.

invest a hundred or so in a back up external hard drive to store your pictures and any documents on ... trust me. Then your laptop borking wont be so painful next time.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I already have an external hard drive.

I still need to know what to do to clean up the old version of Windows here. I'm down to 96.3 mb space left on the recovery disk--that probably is not good. I don't want to just go clicking around and removing stuff that could cause problems later.

[Dips]

Since this seems to have drifted to the point where you need tech help, I moved it to Tech Help for you.

More likely someone who knows the answer to your question will see it here.

[SteeleDragon78]

I already have an external hard drive.

I still need to know what to do to clean up the old version of Windows here. I'm down to 96.3 mb space left on the recovery disk--that probably is not good. I don't want to just go clicking around and removing stuff that could cause problems later.

you should be able to run a full system backup from the control panel, once you have that(btw dont bother with the system image) you can wipe the entire drive and recover completely. depending on what brand you have there may be a recover to out of box status. from there you can then restore your backup and have everything back to happy status in a couple of hours

[Pedersen]

Next question--how do I go about removing the old, borked version of Windows from my computer? When I start it up, it gives me the option to choose between Microsoft Windows Vista (the new version) and Windows Vista (the borked version). The recovery disk (D) on my computer is getting dangerously full.

I still need to know what to do to clean up the old version of Windows here. I'm down to 96.3 mb space left on the recovery disk--that probably is not good. I don't want to just go clicking around and removing stuff that could cause problems later.

From what you're saying, you did not run the system recovery partition, but rather ran an installation from a Vista install disk. When you did so, you installed the new version of Windows into your recovery partition.

Well, here's the bad news for you: Were I in your shoes, I'd consider the system hosed beyond hope. I would do a backup of all data to an external drive, and then do a full nuke and reinstall (all partitions, including recovery, get destroyed, and everything gets installed from scratch). The process is going to be painful, since you have to make sure you download the latest and greatest drivers for all the hardware in your system first. Getting everything prepped is going to take a lot of time and effort. This sort of prep work is not something that can realistically be done with forum assistance, either. Some form of IM, desktop remote control, or in person assist is about the only way it's going to be able to be done effectively and even relatively efficiently.

As for the good news? Well, let's see... The process is doable.

Sorry, but that's about all the good news I have to offer for this. Heck, with what it sounds like you did, your recovery partition might have even been reformatted. Actually, it's quite likely that it was, since most recovery partitions that I've seen are too small to hold an installed and runnable copy of Windows and an inert, ready to be installed. This system is pretty badly hosed, if I'm right.

[tropicsgoddess]

Office Depot and Walmart usually have good deals on laptops, Irv. I got mine last year from Office depot. I paid $510 for mine (total and tax) and it's a Toshiba Satellite Series! Betcha right now with tax season, you'll see tons of specials and sweet deals.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Well, I do think my computer is now fixed. I nuked it and bought a copy of Windows 7. I've spent all evening loading that and getting DSL set up.

It's finally done. I have a working computer again.

[technical.angel]

Go Irv!!!!!