Problems with my Advent 7081 laptop

[Mazen]

Hi I was looking to put a wireless cardbus into my dads old laptop so i could free up 1 of the USB ports, but am not sure if it will fit.
While I'm at it, would it be possible you think to swap the hard drive out for a bigger model?
Does it contain USB 2.0 ports? I've checked the documentation and a few searches on google but the results are pretty inconclusive. When mention is made of the USB controller (sis 7100 I believe) used in the laptop the talk just confuses me.

Here's the technical specs for the laptop here( Please don't laugh.)

which iv copied and pasted below.
CPU Intel Celeron M 350 1.30GHz
Chipset SiS 661
Memory 256MB 200pin DDR-266/333/400 SODIMM (1 memory slot. Max 1GB)
Hard Drive 40GB
CD Drive DVD±RW
Screen 14.1" TFT (native resolution 1024 x 768)
Video Card SiS 661GX 64MB shared
Sound Card Realtek AC'97 audio
Network Card SiS 900 integrated fast ethernet
Modem Agere systems AC'97 modem
PC Card None
Ports 1x LAN
1x Modem
1x Kensington Lock
4x USB
1x Headphone
1x Microphone
1x PS/2
1x VGA
Touchpad Synaptics Touchpad
Power Supply Lite-On PA-1700-02
Battery Sole Energy Corp EM-G320L1. Battery life approx 1hr 9mins
Dimensions 32 x 326 x 258 (HxWxD in mm)
Weight 2.8kg
Made By ECS 321

[da_ging]

so long as the wireless card is pcmcia yes

yes it is usb 2

and yes you can upgrade the harddrive so long as you replace it with a 2.5" PATA drive and Not sata

and you should find any other info about the laptop here

[Mazen]

So would something like this or this work for the wirelessness?

and a harddrive like this?

I'l get in touch with the TechGuys about finding the appropriate drivers.
I'm guessing upgrading the cpu is out the question?

Thanks a lot


Edit: Couldnt get in touch with the TechGuys as I'm not a customer of theirs.
Anyone have any idea about enabling the USB 2.0 feature of the ports? I have tried using the windows fix for usb 2.0 but that doesnt appear to have had an effect with my wee ports.

[da_ging]

yes for the wireless cards

no for the harddrive you'd want one of these http://www.scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-18-41-0

why do you say the usb 2 is not working?

[Mazen]

Thanks da_ging, you beat me to editing my own post there.

The Usb isnt working at USB 2.0 speeds as I keep getting the "This device could run faster" message off of XP everytime I insert a USB 2.0 device.
I'm not near the laptop just now but I'l get the exact error message when i get home.

Looks not bad so far- fitting a wireless card, a gig of ram, and a new harddrive for less than a hundred quid. (Incidentally what is scan's policy on items if you buy it and its the wrong kind/not needed?)
Motherboard/any other changes are out the question on that model of lap top yeah?

[da_ging]

The Usb isnt working at USB 2.0 speeds as I keep getting the "This device could run faster" message off of XP everytime I insert a USB 2.0 device.
I'm not near the laptop just now but I'l get the exact error message when i get home.

has it got sp2 on? if not then get it on or sp3 if it has then go to device manager uninstall the yellow exclamation marked usb and reboot and it should be fixed

and yes those bits should be fine although you may have compatability problems with the memory, when you get back to the laptop look on the label on the bottom for the model number and use that too look up what it supports over here http://www.uniwill.com/products/othe...r.php?HL=6&O=1 and any bios upgrades will be here http://www.uniwill.com/downloads/

well that's assuming it's manufactured by uniwill but i think it is , it will say on the label Manufacturer: Uniwill computer, if it is

[Mazen]

going by the specs I entered earlier its made by ECS but il double check when i get in.
Is there anyway if I'l know if I'l get compatability prblems before I put the order in?

Sorry I seem so newbish about all this but Im just not very good with hardware

[da_ging]

uniwill/ecs are as far as i can tell the same people, looks like this is the laptop here should have all the info you need in the manual

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pro...uID=58&LanID=8

[Mazen]

Damn, I don't think my laptop does have a pcmcia slot, but I'm not entirely sure what it is. I know I have an expansion compartment but not sure if that is just for memory or pcmcia too...

[TAKTAK]

Damn, I don't think my laptop does have a pcmcia slot, but I'm not entirely sure what it is. I know I have an expansion compartment but not sure if that is just for memory or pcmcia too...

a PCMCIA slot looks like this


it will be in the side of the laptop

it may/may not have the blank plate in it...

[da_ging]

just downloaded the manual and it would appear that they were stingey as there is no pcmcia slot or internal pci slot so looks like you are stuck with using usb for wireless unfortunately

[Mazen]

Ok phoned scan yesterday morning and they were kind enough to change my order before it shipped.
So it'l just be a case of installing the recovery disk after iv switched the memory and harddrive.
Lovely stuff.

I'l let you's know if i managed all that without burning my fingers.
Oh is there anything I need to dowith the harddrive before slotting it in and saying a little prayer?

[Mazen]

Cheers everything is now working amazingly!
Thanks a lot