Need some quick computer help

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:04 pm

I got a sub-laptop in china, its a fujitsu, but i don't know the model. The thing is that windows is in chinese, so obviously its a pain in the but. It is running windows ME. I got windows ME in english, and i need to install it. Heres where i started running into problems. I tried putting all the files on the hard-drive of the sub and then running the setup. The result was the error "windows character set mismatched", and it told me to do a clean install. There are a few problems with that. 1. Some dip-$hit password protected the bios... which are in chinese. 2. Being a sub, it has no form of disk drive. If anyone has any suggestions as to how i could get engrish ME onto it, they would be much appreciated.

Hawke · Post by **Hawke** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:22 pm

Problem #1, Windows ME is horrendous.
Problem #2, without the model #, it's going to be hard to crack that bios unless you, or someone you know, know's chinese.

Ex-Cyber · Post by **Ex-Cyber** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:33 pm

The only thing I can think of would be to do the MS-DOS mode hack and try starting setup from DOS mode. Note that this does involve renaming system files and thus carries some risk of rendering the system unusable if you mess up. Also, I haven't tested this method, but even though this is from a Random Slashdot Comment [TM], it's from a guy who in my experience knows his stuff when it comes to Windows hacking.

Alex Ionescu wrote:I think most of you don't understand that the only thing they've done is remove the DOS option from the boot menu, as well from the shutdown menu.... You STILL have access to the DOS prompt, you can STILL boot to DOS by using a diskette.
And I know a little trick that will boot you too DOS very easily... All you have to do is make a batch file that renames c:\windows\system\vmm32.vxd to c:\windows\system\winlod.vxf and then rename c:\windows\command.com to c:\windows\system\vmm32.vxd.
You then restart your computer and voila BOOM you're in DOS. Just make another batch file which does the contrary and restart, and voila BANG you're in Windows.

impetus · Post by **impetus** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:38 pm

http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/biosp.htm

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 10:39 pm

Yah, i know ME is awful, I wouldn't even know where to begin with cracking the bios, however my host is coming to America in september, he could probably help, but i'd like to be able to use my laptop untill then... I've tried searching for what i think is the model #. The sticker on the bottom says FMV-253L.

here are some pictures:

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:26 pm

Ok, i think this plan is reasonable, tell me if you think this will work

1. Create batch files for renaming c:\windows\system\vmm32.vxd and c:\windows\command.com
2. Restart computer, and let it boot to DOS.
3. Use DOS to format C:
4. Use DOS to transfer windows setup files from thumb drive E: to hdd C:
5. Use DOS to run windows setup files, and let it install in the clean directory.

I think that would work, however, i need to make sure it will before i do it.

Smurph · Post by **Smurph** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:08 pm

Nemesis wrote:Ok, i think this plan is reasonable, tell me if you think this will work

1. Create batch files for renaming c:\windows\system\vmm32.vxd and c:\windows\command.com
2. Restart computer, and let it boot to DOS.
3. Use DOS to format C:
4. Use DOS to transfer windows setup files from thumb drive E: to hdd C:
5. Use DOS to run windows setup files, and let it install in the clean directory.

I think that would work, however, i need to make sure it will before i do it.

No CD-ROM?
And unless the laptop has built-in support for USB in DOS, it won't work.

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:34 pm

yah, i know.... i should probably test it to see if it has USB DOS support first, But what would my other options be if it doesn't?

butters · Post by **butters** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:39 pm

Nemesis wrote:yah, i know.... i should probably test it to see if it has USB DOS support first, But what would my other options be if it doesn't?

You could connect the hard drive to another computer and dump the files in that way.

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 6:33 pm

butters wrote:
Nemesis wrote:yah, i know.... i should probably test it to see if it has USB DOS support first, But what would my other options be if it doesn't?
You could connect the hard drive to another computer and dump the files in that way.

i'm not sure if the hdd is standard though, most sub-laptops, especially older, and especially foreign, use non-standard parts. I'll open it up and see though. thanks for the good idea!

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:34 pm

YOU ARE A GENIUS AND I LOVE YOU, it is standard 2.5', and i just happend to have a usb adapter for standard laptop hdds!!! yay! now i can swap out this tiny 5gb hdd for a massive 40 gb one too!!!

Sir Savant · Post by **Sir Savant** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:05 pm

Nemesis, what was the biggest size luggage (non-carryon) you could bring to China? 54 inches?

How much did the laptop cost anyways?

Nemesis · Post by **Nemesis** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:38 pm

I think it was like 64 inches, but there is a weight limit going to and from and in china. The weight limit in china (like say if you were flying from Liu-yan to Bejing) was 40lbs, but going to or out of was like 60 something. that laptop cost me the equivalent of $200, i got another one (full-sized, brand new, great hardware) for the equivalent of $800.