Packard Bell Master Recovery Problem

[Vet_2010]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone here may be able to help me.

I have recently been trying to restore my old packard bell computer to the original factory state - I-Media 5054
I have booted from the recovery floppy and got to the point where it asks for Master CD 1, however when I insert this CD and click ok it checks for a few moments and then asks for the CD again. Presumably it is not recognising the CD.
The CDs are definitely correct as I lost the originals one time and had to purchase new copies from packard bell and they have worked many times before.

If anyone could suggest what I should do next I would be ever so grateful.
The computer is now out of warranty and coverplan and so I have no technical support to call.

Thanks,

Colin

have you tried pressing F10 or F11 to see if the system has a recovery partition that does not require media

[Peter_]

If you have another PC then try downloading another XP O/S disc or possibly try a Linux live CD which will give you the chance to try before you install.

You can try Ubuntu, Fedora or Mint which are all novice friendly.

You could also try the Packard Bell Support forum http://forum.packardbell.com/en/

[Vet_2010]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick replies.

Unfortunately no recovery partition.

Will an XP O/S Disk allow me to install from the Packard Bell Master CDs, they don't require a Windows XP Disk?

I have a Windows XP Disk for another computer of mine which is just a single CD. The packard bell recovery media is 4 CDs worth, could I get away with formatting the hard drive and installing Win XP fresh from the Win XP CD?

Thanks

as long as the version matches the key on your laptop

[Peter_]

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

as long as the version matches the key on your laptop

Is the anywhere he can download the correct version that is on the key.

[Vet_2010]

Apologies for being such a noob where remastering is concerned.

In the past I have only had to insert the CDs and it did it all itself but this time the computer won't recognise the master CD for some reason.

Originally Posted by Moldova

Is the anywhere he can download the correct version that is on the key.

I have one cd with 9 different versions of XP on it which in turn will either boot from and choose or create individual isos however its questionable even though it wont install without a key or activate without a legit key. I also have an AIO Vista 64 and 32 bit which is the same installs the version the key is for (this I think MS actually sell) These come in handy to legally reformat systems that come to me without media. I simply use the key on the license sticker and away you go

---------- Post added at 22:55 ---------- Previous post was at 22:55 ----------

Originally Posted by Vet_2010

Apologies for being such a noob where remastering is concerned.

In the past I have only had to insert the CDs and it did it all itself but this time the computer won't recognise the master CD for some reason.

clean it? perhaps run a head cleaner on the rom