e_briggs

The anti-virus is McAfee. Do you not recommend that? That is an additional cost of £40 that I could take off if it is not recommended and a free one is better. I know I can get pc guard from virgin (my supplier) anyway but not sure how good it is. When you say upgrade the battery is there only one choice of upgrade?

bundled crap?

Oh and I will be using it for storing music, pictures, files etc. surfing the web, and also playing games such as the sims.

BaseIntel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 Cache)Microsoft Operating SystemGenuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 - EnglishMemory3072MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [1x2048 + 1x1024]KeyboardInternal UK English Qwerty KeyboardVideo CardIntel Integrated GMA 4500MHDHard Drive320GB (5,400rpm) Serial ATA Hard DriveOptical DevicesDVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)Wireless NetworkingIntel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCardCables1 Meter Power Cord - UKShipping DocumentsEnglish - Documentation Inspiron 1545Gedis Bundle ReferenceN0354504Standard Warranty1Yr Limited Warranty - Collect & ReturnEnhanced Service Packs1 Year Limited Warranty - Collect & ReturnBluetoothNo Bluetooth UpgradeOrder InformationInspiron 1545 Order - UKPrimary Battery6-cell batteryCarrying CasesNo Carry CaseDell System Media KitInspiron 1545 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)Camera1.3 Mega pixel Integrated Web CameraColour ChoiceBlack Colour with Matte FinishAccidental Damage SupportNo Accidental Damage SupportOnline BackupDataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 yearLabelsWireless Label (Intel Wireless Cards) - Core 2 DuoLCD15.6" Widescreen WXGA CCFL (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife™Microsoft Application SoftwareMicrosoft® Works 9.0 with Home and Student Trial - EnglishProtect your new PCMcAfee® Security Centre - 36 Month Protection - EnglishPower Supply65W AC AdaptorBiometric IdentificationBlack palmrest

I am looking for a new laptop as the post title suggests. I have been looking at the dell inspiron 1545. It is costing £488.99 atm with 3 years anti-virus. Is this a good choice? Is there a better choice? Any suggestions would be greatly received!

So what do I need to do?

Yeah tiny unfortunately went bust about 3 or 4 months after I got my pc! lol Just my luck. Do you still think it is possible for the data to be recovered?

Its a tiny pc lemme go check the model number if I can find it... a tiny s35, does that sound right?

Umm it is mostly music, pictures, word,pp,excel etc docs. Aswell as saved games as in sims. Other than that I dont actually remember.

I was unfortunately doing some home tutoring while he was actually doing the assessment. I arrived just as my mum was writing the cheque and he said something along the lines of he couldn't access the drive, that the linux has been half installed, that he took the hard drive out (as in literally) and plugged it into his laptop and still couldn't get access to it. He said something about installing windows but I dont have it and (if im not mistaken PCs come with it pre-installed don't they?) that I would need to go to a data recovery specialist which could cost £700. I have my pc which does zilch and my work laptop (which is the property of the school I work for). It isn't up to much cop either due to the school not having a proper techie to look at it and sort the problems it has... My life is filled with ICT problems!!! Maybe I should go back to chalk and talk!!!!

I would have no clue how to do that. I think the repair guy tried to, he said that he couldnt access the hard drive at all.

Had a repair guy come round tonight and he couldn't do it. He said that I would need to go to a data recovery specialist which could cost up to £700!!! The PC isn't worth that much. He thinks that my best bet is to buy a new pc. I'm at a loss as to what to do. I cant think of what exactly is on my PC that I really need to keep. Grrrr bloody Acer have alot to answer for!!!

Ok. Are you aware of a reputable repair shop in the area of Chigwell? Or nearby? I have used a shop in Loughton before but wasn't totally happy with the result. Is there anyone that can recommend a repair shop nearby that has had previous experience and success with them? Thank you for all your help and advise.

A blank disc. I clicked on your link, said save. Then selected the disk to save it to and looked at the file type and it was either an iso file or All files. I went for Iso

I have put the disk in and it is still doing the same thing. If I press enter it just retypes the L 99 99 99 99 99 99