I have a relative with an Averatec laptop that won't boot. Its about 6 months old. She has a corrupt system file (vgaoem.fon). There appears to be no Windows repair feature. She didn't get any Windows installation disks when she bought it. Customer no-service says her only option is to restore the system to original factory settings, start over from scratch, and lose everything. I know that someone (Ken) could probably recover it with Linux, but do you have any other suggestions for me to try first?
Someone has been playing with font size and screen resolution at the same time on a laptop. Big NO NO !! Laptops have fixed resolution compatability with font sizes. Set the wrong one with XP and it will go wacko. Without the Model # on the laptop I don't know what kind of ports you have. I suggest you link the hard drive to another PC and back it up if you have info that can't be lost. NOTE: YOU NEED TO KNOW IF THE UNIT WAS USING XP SP1 OR SP2 ! You will need an XP Disk with the proper "SP-?" on it. If it had SP2 on it and you run an SP1 disk, or vise versa you will create more problems as XPuke stupidly used a different vgasys file in both updates. There is a way to determine the SP version without the OS running, but too lengthy to type here. Google it. Once you have the SP version and the proper disk: 1. Configure your BIOS to start from the CD-ROM, if it doesn't do it already. It should boot from an XP disk with the Averatec factory settings. 2. Insert the Windows XP compact disc into your computer's CD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. 3. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" command is displayed, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP Disk. 4. When the Welcome to Setup screen is displayed, press R to start the Recovery Console. 6. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password, and then press ENTER. 7. At the command prompt, type MAP, and then press ENTER. Note the drive letter assigned to the computer's CD-ROM drive that contains the Windows XP compact disc. It is displayed in a format similar to the following: D: \Device\CdRom0 8. Type the following line, and then press ENTER expand CD-ROM drive:\i386\vgaoem.fo_ drive:\windows\system (CD-ROM drive is the letter of your drive that contains the Windows XP disk): For example, type the following: expand d:\i386\vgaoem.fo_ c:\windows\system Note the underscore character after the "o" in "Vgaoem.fo_". And there is a space between it and the next letter "c". You receive the following message: Vgaoem.fo_ 1 file(s) expanded. 9. Type exit. The computer restarts. 10. Remove the Windows XP compact disc from the computer's CD-ROM, and then start the computer normally. If you don't feel good about doing this yourself PM me for prices on repair.
I have an XP Pro install disk, but I'm assuming that since it is pre-SP1, it probably won't help me. The version on the laptop is most likely SP2. The model is a 7100 series. I don't think anyone was doing anything with the fonts or resolution. The computer was left running on battery power until the battery died. When it was powered back up, that's when the problem started. What irks me is that I know the file I need is right there on the hard drive with all the other installation files. But there is no repair or re-install option! "Start Over" is the only option. Even if I do repair the file, I'm not confident that would end the problem. I've done that before only to find other corrupt files. And people wonder how someone could use a pirated version of Windows. Ha! Thanks guys for the replies. I'll see what she wants to do next.
I pulled your service manual on the 7100. There were 3 OS versions shipped on that model: XP Home SP2 - XP Pro SP2 - MS Media Center. There were 3 models made: AV7115-EA1 - AV7115-EC1 - AV7115-EH1 You only have 2 possible methods for external backup, other than pulling the hard drive. USB or a Firewire connection. For internal backup to a network use Ken's suggestion with the KNoppix CD. The battery symptom you posted would not cause an OS fault. Unless, you modified the power settings. All laptops hibernate and do an OS shutdown at low power. If your unit displayed the problem after the battery went dead, I would have the battery checked for a short or malfunction before proceeding any farther. Any of the Battery stores will check it for you. Having your external power adapter checked would not be a bad idea either. Battery/Power problems can adversly affect the hard drive and cause your symptoms. To circumnavigate the battery, pull it and run on external power only during your OS repair. LAPTOP TIP: If your on external power and your battery is 100% charged pull it. Running your unit on external power with the battery in consistantly will lessen the life span of the battery. These batteries have a circuit board inside and they have a limited life span. They are also notorious for lacking short protection to the entire system at failure.
This might be to simple but have you tried to go back to the last know good configuration If you press the F8 button after the PC splash screen when you reboot your system it will bring up a menu and pick that option. Randy
