laptop issue fr->en & cd/dvd drive fail

[cpatula]

Hiya all any help on this would be appreciated !

My ex partner has a acer travelmate 4150, problems start with the fact that it was bought in France, hence windows is all in french. (i dont understand french)

 

Thought i would just do a clean install, using a windows os xp disk i no longer use, but the second problem is that the cd/dvd drive isnt working.

device manager says nothings wrong with the drive, and ive tried to update the driver ( i think it was successfull)

It makes a disturbing noise when trying to read anything and then gives up, ex partner is aware that the drive might not be fixable, so im only worried about it if i absolutly need it for the clean installation.

 

i dont currently have access to a usb cd/dvd drive (working on that)

and i dont fancy reformatting my external HDD (1tb seagate,modded)

 

Now I assume i should be able to boot through a lan network (correct me if im wrong.... and if im not some advice wouldent hurt, as ive never attempted it before)

ive done a factory restore,so no personal data

 

 

If any more info is needed just request it, ill try and help but understanding/translating it could be a problem

 

recap:

 

-> changing the language though windows would be great

-> i need OS changed to english from french (currently xp Family edition, sp3)

-> would really help if disk drive worked (cant boot install disk)

 

Cheers in advance

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hello cpatula

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

Well the first thing I must ask is has that version of XP been installed on another pc at any time?

 

If the cdrom drive is removable it may be beneficial to fit a new one.

 

Do you have access to a network that would allow you to boot from it?

[cpatula]

nope, the oem is new hologram coa originally got it when i got my vista laptop just in case i dident like it.

 

it seems that the cdrom drive can be removed as ive googled around and seen some that have sold, cant find any around nz at the moment though, still looking.

 

only network i have admin rights too are my home networks, set up through a dlink g604t using 4 port ethernet, or wireless.

im gussing that i cant just use a simple crossover connection for this then?

 

i maybe able to take it to work and set it up on there network if required.

 

-for the record i did a system restore using alt+f10 (was called Erecovery or something simular, what ever acer has built in)

when i did this there was 3 options all with language settings (unfortunatly all written in french) i picked all the english settings but to no avail.

 

cheers in advance

[RandyL]

An OEM disk is a recovery disk and is only meant to be used on the computer it came with. You will need a full retail version of XP.

[cpatula]

Windows® XP Home (Full Product) is the full retail version i was going to put on.

sorry about the confusion, id seen the term oem thrown about and assumed it was the correct term to use. (corrected by RandyL)

[Goku]

Hello and Welcome to FPCH Pat. :)

 

Please read the following article and follow the suggested instructions. See if they help or not.

 

Configuring and Using International Features of Windows: How To Change the language used to display menus and dialogs in MUI

 

Let us know how it goes though. Good Luck.

 

-- Goku

[RandyL]

If I'm not mistaken only a few settings can be changed with regions without reinstalling Windows. Since you do have a full retail version of XP that has never been used that's your best option.

 

Forget about a LAN setup and get a CD drive that works. It's by far the best option and probably your only option that is even remotely practicable.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Agreed

[Seth]

Acer Travelmate 4150 Laptop DVDRW Drive SOSW-833S G85 on eBay, also DVD R RW Drives, Drives HDD CD DVD, Laptop Accessories, Computing (end time 17-Oct-08 16:42:43 BST)

[cpatula]

thanks for all the help guys, ill pick one up and report back on how it all went.