Windows Vista & Windows XP

[Greg4691]

I have an A45-S120 which I purchased new in 2004. It works fine; I absolutely love it. Over the years I've added a lot of programs and uninstalled loads of programs. I've had worms, trojans, simple viruses, malware, mild and horrific and managed to clean them all off. Avast has been very good to me and so has Malware-bytes.

However, I thought it might be a good time to reimage my unit and take it back to the factory state. I backed everything up, made sure I had all the discs for reinstallation and then took out my restore disc.

When I ran the disc I got a warning message that the disc was only for the restoration of the A45 model and that my computer was not correctly configured to use it. Therefore, the disc would not run.

HUH? Now what? Do I just reformat the drive and reinstall Windows XP? Is there somewhere I can get a restore disc? Can I download the restore from a Toshiba site?

[Hfreeman]

Please read this post which I have provided the link..

Then evaluate these instructions and determine if this is something you want to consider do.  THIS IS A DECiSION YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE.  Remember the forum is not for support but for dialogue.

Hank Freeman - E105-S1402 user...

Re: Copy of Windows is not genuine........  This comment is on Page Two of this hyperlink.

08-13-2009 11:38 AM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. The problem has been resolved as follows:

1.  Contact MS Support.

2.  They forwarded a link that ran a diagnostic on my laptop.

3.  Everything checked out ok and the product key I have is a valid one.  They sent me to

    MS tech support.

4.  MS tech support sends me to Toshiba tech support.

5.  Toshiba support suggests that the copy of Vista on my laptop was not properly loaded originally.  They suggest

      re-installing it.  No recovery disc was needed for my laptop.

6.  Disconnect any devices on the laptop with the exception of the power cord.

7.  Shut down the computer.

8.  When shut down, depress and hold the "zero" key.

9.  While holding the "zero" key down, re-start the computer.

10.  When you hear the "beep", release the "zero" key.

This will automatically begin the re-install of Vista, and put the laptop in its original condition.  Just follow the prompts.  Be sure to save any data that is needed as the hard drive will obviously be wiped clean.

Kind regards,

B

[Hfreeman]

Hank Freeman - E105-S1402 user...

Re: Copy of Windows is not genuine........  This comment is on Page Two of this hyperlink.

08-13-2009 11:38 AM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. The problem has been resolved as follows:

1.  Contact MS Support.

2.  They forwarded a link that ran a diagnostic on my laptop.

3.  Everything checked out ok and the product key I have is a valid one.  They sent me to

    MS tech support.

4.  MS tech support sends me to Toshiba tech support.

5.  Toshiba support suggests that the copy of Vista on my laptop was not properly loaded originally.  They suggest

      re-installing it.  No recovery disc was needed for my laptop.

6.  Disconnect any devices on the laptop with the exception of the power cord.

7.  Shut down the computer.

8.  When shut down, depress and hold the "zero" key.

9.  While holding the "zero" key down, re-start the computer.

10.  When you hear the "beep", release the "zero" key.

This will automatically begin the re-install of Vista, and put the laptop in its original condition.  Just follow the prompts.  Be sure to save any data that is needed as the hard drive will obviously be wiped clean.

Kind regards,

B

[Jerry_Lippey]

Satellite A45-S120 

---

When I ran the disc I got a warning message that the disc was only for the restoration of the A45 model and that my computer was not correctly configured to use it.

---

Greg, you apparently need to update the DMI sting. This should do it.

   Toshiba Notebook PC DMI Update Utility

[Hfreeman]

Jerry,

DMI meaning Desktop Management Interface ???

Hank

[Jerry_Lippey]

In this case, Hank, it's Digital Machine Identification.

[Greg4691]

Your string mentioned Vista-- I'm running XP. Any critical differences here?

[Jerry_Lippey]

Mentioned Vista? Where?

In any case, the DMI string is a group of identification bits internal to the computer. It has nothing to do with what's on the hard drive or the optical drive.