Archive for category: Instructions

If you don’t care to read the path I took for find the CDs, go to the bottom.

I searched and searched on Google looking for HP Compaq nc6000 recovery DVDs or CDs.  I couldn’t find anything on HP’s website about them, or even the part number.  I found 3rd party sites selling the discs, but only one had the one for this model and it was going to be hundreds of dollars.

I used a Windows XP Professional SP2 CD from an older HP laptop, but it would give an error saying there was no hard drive present:

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?admit=109447626+1287021157510+28353475&threadId=1089060

Then I followed the direction of putting the SATA drivers on a diskette, which was an ordeal, but I did it (with an old NIC driver diskette and a D620 floppy drive w/USB cable).  Then, after loading the SATA driver diskette, it asked me “insert the disk labeled Windows XP Professional Edition CD-ROM into Drive A:”   I couldn’t get it to do anything after that point.

So, I went searching again the next day.  I finally stumbled upon this, which was what I wish I found the first time, it was perfect.  Hopefully this is high on Google and saves you time and headaches:

…you can order a set of restore disks for your nc6400 from HP if you live in the USA. I ordered some in January. Cost me $10.00 for shipping.1. Write down the part number and serial # on the bottom of the computer on the white tag. The model # is an HP-Compaq nc6400, but the part number will be found on that white tag below the serial #.

2. Call HP at 1-800-952-7689, option 1 (ordering restore disks is part of the list in the option).

3. Provide the info asked by the rep that answers the phone. Some just ask for the serial #, some want both, or they will just want the serial number and type of computer (nc6400).

4. Have a Master Card or Visa ready for purchasing. They don’t take Discover. I believe you will be charged $10.00.

You will receive the disks by First Class Mail or you can pay an additional $10.00 for FedEx shipping.

CREDIT: Paul (pjtikkanen) – http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Operating-systems-and-software/HP-Compaq-nc6400-Laptop-Recovery-CD/m-p/335514/highlight/true#M45812

I was working with a client that couldn’t install iTunes 10 today on Vista Home Premium SP2.  It would pop up a message early in the install process saying, “Windows installer has set policies to prevent installation.”

I visited this blog, which had good advice, but none of it worked.

However, in the comments of that blog, sunny wrote that right-clicking and clicking “Run as Administrator” on the iTunes installation file worked.  It worked for me, too.

After upgrading from QuickBooks 2006 to 2008 (stupid Intuit), I wanted to synchronize my contacts from QuickBooks to Outlook 2000 like I’ve always done.  When I tried, it made me download a sync application and install it (the 2006 version had a small, built-in sync program).  I had to close Outlook for it to install, but when I went to open Outlook, it wouldn’t open.  I finally uninstalled the sync app and closed all my programs and then Outlook opened.  That scared me…

Then I noticed other things..  If I tried to use a right-click Sent To – Mail Recipient or a built-in email function, it wouldn’t work.  Many times I couldn’t get my Outlook to open again, even with the sync app gone.  I finally figured out that with QuickBooks 2008 open, Outlook won’t open and many of it’s functions are messed up.  There aren’t any add-ins for QB in Outlook.

I finally figured out the solution: Edit menu, Preferences, Send Forms, My Preferences tab, change “Send E-mail Using” to QuickBooks E-mail from Outlook.  This will disentangle the programs.  Errr.

(This is an excerpt from my full post about QuickBooks mandatory upgrades.)