Advent 4123 newbie - need to know some stuff

[Guest TheNerd]

Hi folks,

Had a disaster with my laptop and was forced to go out and buy a new machine from PCWorld (ahhhh!) but they have a good deal on at the moment with the Advent 4213.

First I want to do a "TechGuys Recovery Backup" which requires a 2Gb USB flash stick or SD card. I put a 4Gb mini SD into an SD adapter and slot it into the inbuilt card reader. It recognises it then when running the backup, I get an error and it can not go any further. So tomorrow I have to either go and buy a 2Gb or greater flash stick or get a ful size SD card. (I think?) I would rather use a cheap SD card and have it permanently keep the recovery backup and wherever the notebook goes, the SD card goes just in case. Good plan? I just wonder why I can't run the backup on the mini SD.

1) Can I image the backup from the flash stick/SD card to a hard drive for archiving and then use the card or stick for something else (then put the image back on for use when required)?

2) Why won't the mini SD and adapter thing work?

3) Does a SDHC card work or does it have to be non SDHC?

Next I'm thinking of adding a Linux OS (ubuntu) and the Mac OS X (thanks for the tutorial on the 4211 Paul), and running it tri-boot with Windows XP. Probably will have a few pains but there seems to be a lot of help from the many who have done similar things. Wondered if the laterst copy of Max OS X (10.5.6) was OK to use for the procedure or if it had to be 10.5.4. I am paying a visit to the Apple store tomorrow and will probably only be able to get the latest edition, so would like to know if I would be better getting an older 10.5.4 version from Ebay? (Could save a bit of money and hassle maybe but I'm happy to shell out the cash to Apple if it warrants the latest edition).

Finally, had a quick look at the accessories (namely carrying cases) for the netbook. Does anybody have a particular favourite which is especially good for a netbook? I'm a bit worried about getting something that resembles a handbag (or God forbid a "Manbag") but will be keen to protect my littl'un from harm as I don't have much luck with laptops.

It's a hell of a machine by the way folks. Really recommend it. I'm sure the next gen of netbooks will wipe their butts on it but for now the price is good and with a bit of smoothtalk you can get s few extra goodies thrown in as well! (PS The keyboard is utter pants, I know but I can probably live with it when I need to!)

[Guest TheNerd]

Gosh, my typing was really quite bad wasn't it? I blame the squished up keyboard. :)

Errmmm... Anybody got a link for the service manual for these things?

[Guest pd.ryder]

Crikey -- it's quiet in here isn't it?

I don't know the 4123 personally, but I have got an MSI'd 4211. The Tech Guys Recovery disk can be copied across to the HDD or other storage medium. I insisted they sent me a proper OS backup disk which they did eventually. The contents of the disk can be copied onto a USB stick or SD card and used as a bootable drive for reinstalling the Win XP OS, all necessary drivers etc. I can't shed any light on why the 4GB miniSD wasn't accepted. It does seem odd.

It's been a while since your post, so hopefully you've got it sorted by now B)

EDIT - SDHC cards should be fine btw :(

Edited February 18, 2009 by pd.ryder