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  • #2227578

    I have no operating system

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    by roobee81 ·

    Ok. My brother gave me a Toshiba Satellite Laptop. After getting I replaced the optical drive. But, now I have no operating system. I called Toshiba and they won’t sell them to me because I am not the “owner”. How can I get the operating system?

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    • #2477789

      Clarifications

      by roobee81 ·

      In reply to I have no operating system

      Clarifications

    • #2477618

      Two obvious questions . . .one not so obvious.

      by older mycroft ·

      In reply to I have no operating system

      [b]Obvious questions[/b]
      1. Why have you not asked your brother?

      2. Why change the optical drive without turning it on first?

      You could always just walk into a ‘shop’ and buy the operating system!

      [b]Not so obvious question[/b]
      Why do you come to TR for help on what is a rather sensitive matter but [b]turn off[/b] your private message port?

      • #2477580

        Not obvious

        by roobee81 ·

        In reply to Two obvious questions . . .one not so obvious.

        1. My brother is a truck driver and extremely hard to get a hold of.
        2. I did turn it on everything was fine except the optical drive. Now it is not and Best Buy says it’s not their fault.
        3. I’m not the greatest with message boards and I did not see private message port. I put my question and went back to what I was doing on my home PC.

        • #2477572

          Three risque, slightly dubious statements . . .

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to Not obvious

          1. You literally got your Tosh off the back of a truck. Now why does that not surprise me? However, unless it’s an interstellar truck he’ll have a cell phone that works interstate.

          2. You first post inferred you fitted the optical drive yourself, since no third party was mentioned. If you have a legal grievance with the repairers – take it to court.

          3. You can’t be blamed for not being able to read properly although you managed to tick the ‘no private messages’ box, albeit inadvertently. If you have a working home PC why are you bothering Toshiba – you are already aware of where operating systems come from – Microsoft.

        • #2477562

          Response from an idiot

          by roobee81 ·

          In reply to Three risque, slightly dubious statements . . .

          Your humor is astounding. Yes, his cell phone works in the 48 states he drives in. As you seem to not be aware of, truck drivers do drive at night and have driving laws that they have to obey. So, when he is up I am sleeping. His HOS right now does not give him a lot of daytime to talk to people or deal with computer issues. That is why he gave it to me and bought himself a Mac.

          My apologizes for not stating that I had the optical drive done by a professional. I am not a trained computer tech and do not want to screw up something I don’t know a lot about. All I knew was it was broke and needed to be fixed and when I got it back the tech just stared at me and said that I needed a new operating system.

          I can read properly. I was tired when I came on here and didn’t see this no private message box you are talking about. But, I am extremely excited for coming to a place where I thought someone could help me out and now feel like a complete moron.

          Oh, the Toshiba is not for me but for my husband who is also a truck driver. It would help him with navigation. As, I am tired of having to run to the computer every time his company gives him bad directions.

        • #2477550

          Thankyou for the compliments . . .

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to Response from an idiot

          Not many people manage to see-through my thinly disguised veil of stupidity.

          TechRepublic is frequently, nay – deluged frequently, by first time posters that always seem to have laptops with boot-passwords that for some strange reason – are unbeknowns to them.

          In the vast majority of cases, the inquirer is a ne’re-do-well who has purloined said boot-password-locked laptop by devious means, then expects us to ‘crack’ their passwords for them. Following on a close second are the posters who seem to have ‘forgotten’ where their genuine operating system is, assuming we can magic one out of thin ether for them.

          I trust you might be able to give me the benefit of the doubt. My acetone-tinged satire is not my offline demeanour.

          However, the previous answers still stand.

        • #2477546

          My Dell experience

          by jamesrl ·

          In reply to Thankyou for the compliments . . .

          I bought a used Dell Workstation from an eBay seller who buys off lease equipment.

          The HD was wiped clean, but the system did come with a MS OEM Win XP license sticker.

          I contacted Dell and had to “register” for service, but as the original warranty was 3 years, I actually get some warranty. And Dell shipped me the OS and driver CDs I needed to get it up and running, for the cost of shipping.

          James

        • #2477521

          Thank you

          by roobee81 ·

          In reply to My Dell experience

          Thank you I appreciate it. It’s nice to know there is one polite person on this website.

        • #2477523

          No compliment given…

          by roobee81 ·

          In reply to Thankyou for the compliments . . .

          Thinly disguised veil, is that what we call it. It seemed quite obvious.

          I would like to know why is it that you felt that you should be rude when the issue was not that I forgot my password, or lost my operating system disks (my brother is the one that actually did that)?

          I know every password for my computer and all of the websites I visit. My operating system for my HP is on a shelf above my desk. Also, I don’t believe in magic. Of course that would be cool, then I could magically……… I won’t finish that sentence.
          I would hope your offline demeanor was better then this. If it wasn’t I don’t see how you could get along with anyone. Of course that could be the reason you deal with computers and not people.

          You could have just said we can not help you only Toshiba can or something along those lines. I actually thought maybe I could talk to people on here that could teach me faster ways of fixing problems my HP has after my husband touches it. But, I guess that will not happen.

        • #2477510

          Context

          by jamesrl ·

          In reply to No compliment given…

          Old Mycroft has a reputation here of someone who has helped a great number of people with computer problems in his relatively short stay here. He has had his share of arguments, usually with those who deserve it, on offtopic issues.

          You on the other hand give your first post in a suspiciously similar manner to a great number of others who post here looking for advice on how to crack laptops.

          How do we know who is who? We aren’t psychic, and as professionals, we don’t want to help thieves. Should we trust every first time poster? I would tell you the vast majority of them are looking for help to access a stolen laptop.

          Shame on Best Buy for breaking it in the first place. They should own up to their mistake. But they can’t install a new OS without someone paying for it.

          Can you get into the BIOS? Can you turn check the boot order and ensure that the CD is not in the boot order? Might want to before you call Toshiba.

          James

        • #2477512

          OK, RooBee, Calm down

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Response from an idiot

          Mycroft is blunt. Part of his charm, and all that there.

          Your brother likely has an email account. Don’t plan to solve this today, plan to solve it later. You need to let your brother know that you need the original disk for the machine. Email him for them and wait for them to (a) show up in the mail or (b) show up with your brother when he is in town next.

          And understand the ethics in play here. Software piracy is a huge issue in our business. We’re pretty sensitive about anything that sounds like piracy. And you wouldn’t believe the numbers of people that come in, start an account, and ask questions about password hacking and the like. All things that we take very seriously. No one is accusing you of anything and I agree that Mycroft has a certain edge to him.

          Plan to solve this issue after you have had a chat with your brother.

          And think GPS. You can get good and inexpensive ones now and they make a great Christmas gift.

        • #2477509

          Be nice

          by roobee81 ·

          In reply to OK, RooBee, Calm down

          I got it. I argued with Toshiba for awhile and they will be sending me the disks that I need. I completely understand the issue with piracy. But, if you feel that may be an issue, be blunt and ask. If that is what they are doing they will get mad or will not come back. People with real questions should not be treated rudely. I want to learn more about computers and what not, but I am a stay at home mom and this really is the only place for me to find it.

        • #2477507

          You want to be treated nicely?

          by jamesrl ·

          In reply to Be nice

          Start by following your own advice.

          Or did you think calling someone an idiot would make him more likely to help you?

          You will find here a number of people who are genuinely giving and helpful.

          But try a little more humility and a little less hostility.

          Edited to add: I think by now I’ve earned the right to call him an idiot, but thats because we actually have some kind of relationship. I do believe I called him an old git once (and I’m sure he earned it). Stick around long enough and you may earn the right to disrespect him.

          James

        • #2477505

          Come on in and Stay Awhile

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Be nice

          Get to know this bunch. We’re wild, but a bunch of fun. And we’ll help if we can.

          You wouldn’t believe some of the feedback on this board. I answered a “password hack” question once telling the querent to call his manufacturer. I got called a racist for my effort. Sheesh!

          Peer mail can be a great way to ask sensitive questions. Once we’ve gotten to know you, you’ll know who to ask and what to ask of that person.

          We really are a good bunch. Mycroft was just being… Mycroft. Hang around and you will begin to associate personalities with screen names.

          Glad to hear that Toshiba will be able to get you new media. And the cure for your hubby and the HP? Create an account for him that is restricted as to what he can do. That is always a good place to start.

        • #2477497

          Shucks ! – You’ve made me blush . . .

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to OK, RooBee, Calm down

          Here was I, leaning on my Zimmer-frame for support, thinking that you all despised me………. sob ..sob .sob.

        • #2477487

          Would you like a tissue?

          by roobee81 ·

          In reply to Shucks ! – You’ve made me blush . . .

          Oh, it wouldn’t let me reply to the post about me calling you an idiot. I didn’t call you an idiot. I said you where rude. I recall calling myself an idiot.

        • #2477481

          Reason for “Maximum Message Level”

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to Shucks ! – You’ve made me blush . . .

          Basically if you attempt to insult me sufficiently -OR- allow me to rant sufficiently at you, eventually you will happen upon the nasty RED words [b]”You have reached your maximum message level” [/b]

          Now, if you scan down the threads of this your first post, you will notice that each reply is indented in much the same fashion as Word might indent within a paragraph.

          Sadly, the TechRepublic page is only a finite width. When your reply, suitably indented, would ‘Bump’ against the right-hand side of the screen (thereby being incapable of displaying your vehement Title-retort to my last outburst) it tells you the ‘maximum message’.

          To get past this, look at the thread listing and go [b]UP[/b] to the last title going back to the left. That entry will allow you to reply.

          We all know this but I’m the only ‘SADDO’ who has the decency to tell you.

          By the way, don’t believe a word any of them said about me – they are all reprobates (but I kinda like ’em)

          Stay with us – you’ll enjoy yourself.

        • #2477473

          Amazing

          by roobee81 ·

          In reply to Shucks ! – You’ve made me blush . . .

          With every post I am amazed more and more. Your intellect surpasses us all.

        • #2477456

          No no no, – it’s not intellect, it’s just that …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to Shucks ! – You’ve made me blush . . .

          I appear to have a slightly stronger command of eloquence than the average American.

          That’s all.

        • #2477472

          #3 default setting

          by ic-it ·

          In reply to Three risque, slightly dubious statements . . .

          You made me check my profile. I never (unless I am just too old and forgetful) checked mine and it was set to off.
          Thanks, it is now on.

    • #2477476

      RooBee81 : You could also do this . . .

      by older mycroft ·

      In reply to I have no operating system

      And start the thread all over again!

      See ?

      • #2478108

        Wow

        by roobee81 ·

        In reply to RooBee81 : You could also do this . . .

        With out you I would be lost. I am so glad I found you. lmao

        Just so I am clear, you are from the UK? As I am sure you know most American’s speak American which is derived from English. So, yes you speak eloquent English. Better then most American’s. Not better then my ex-mother-in-law. But, very good.

    • #2478092

      Explains a lot

      by roobee81 ·

      In reply to I have no operating system

      Scotland, got ya. I understand now.

      Yes, my ex-mother-in-law was and still is a *****. But, she speaks fluent English, French, and Spanish. She enjoys reading the dictionary and encyclopedias. But, still calls me to google how often the calender year repeats itself. Which if you are interested is every 28 years.

      I know I suck at English. I lived with an anal retentive wench for 2 years. (Can I say that?) She let me know everyday. That is why I love the word redundant. I think I’m on a tangent. I’ll check Google Earth though, might be interesting.

      • #2478083

        The reason I knew

        by jamesrl ·

        In reply to Explains a lot

        That the calendar repeats at that interval was Y2K. I had one expensive system that was built in the late 70s and could not handle a 4 digit year. But as long as the calendar was correct, it would work (it sorted MICR encoded courier invoices into the days of the week by month). So we just set it to the appropriate year (72?) and it was fine.

        I will admit I read encyclopedias when I was 10, but I moved on to more interesting stuff.

        Don’t equate knowledge with wisdom. There are lots of people who know more than me on many subjects. But that doesn’t necessarily make them wise. Wise people take knowledge and use it well.

        James

        • #2478073

          Oh

          by roobee81 ·

          In reply to The reason I knew

          I didn’t know about the intervals until I googled it.

          I didn’t read encyclopedia’s. But, the cool part of that is my IQ is still higher then my ex-mother-in-laws. (That is a long title) lol She hates it.

        • #2478068

          IQ isn’t everything

          by jamesrl ·

          In reply to Oh

          I have a rather high one myself, but thats nothing to brag about. Its what you do with it.

          Lots of millionaires aren’t geniuses, many got there through determination and drive and charecter.

          Frankly I wouldn’t join Mensa as I would find it somewhat boring – I’d rather follow other interests like music or photography than sit around and talk about how smart we are.

          James

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