Advent 7555 GX - MSI GT725 again?

yes, this laptop is a gt725, just rebranded.

 

Gah upgrade from Currys has arrived and its Win7 32 bit only :-(

How the heck am i supposed to get the 64 bit version now?!

 

That's unfortunate!

I suspect what i'll do is just sell the 32 bit one on Ebay and buy a 64 bit upgrade separately. For me the Win 7 upgrade is a bonus rather than the reason for buying the laptop in the first place (now delivered! ).

 

Yeah i know what you mean, will probably do something similar myself. Just a bit gutted lol.

 

Appreciate the help guys

I updated my ATI drivers and like you said the problem isn't there anymore. Modern Warfare 2 doesn't crash, Crysis is playable on very high, and GTA works as well

Automatikjack, I actually bought the 7 64 bit pro upgrade using my student discount but I actually did a clean install on the advent

Also does the laptop have a proprietary MXM slot, I ask because of the Mobility Radeon 5850/5870 and if they would fit in the 7555

 

Bit of a weird question - anyone know the PC world "store number" for online purchases?

Trying to get my "free" Win 7 upgrade...

 

Yeah,it's on Your receipt
If you bought it online-it's the receipt You received by email
If I remember it right-it was in top-right corner(or top-left)
a 4 digit number

 

I had to give them a call, try that if you can m8

 

Bit of a numpty question but...

As the kernal is the same, can W7 be installed over vista without having to reinstall all programmes etc? I put the W7 beta on my desktop but that was a clean install, not an upgrade...

Would appreciate the input of anyone that has made the upgrade already.

Cheers

 

Your key will work with a 64bit os.

 

i have recently bought the advent 7555gx and if you consider the spec, its great value, i have been looking for a replacement from a desktop pc for a while and this machine fits the bill, didnt really want to spend more than £700 and wanted a machine capable of playing the latest games and i think you would agree this is more than capable. Its almost impossible to find a laptop this cheap with this type of gpu/cpu/screen combination.
My only concern is updating the latest systems drivers, especially the graphics card. Would it be possible to use msi gt725 drivers to update the advent? I have downloaded the catalyst driver from msi site, but im not sure if they would work or be possible to install. Infact the initial setup drivers come from msi, unfortunately advents drivers are non existent? The only negative thing that annoys me is the cramped keys and the poor support from advent drivers. Fingers crossed this thing lasts me a while. Its prob wise to get extended warranty on this thing. Oh and my banks offers 1 year extra cover for free with my account, just need to register product within 60 days of purchase.

 

I've used the graphics and audio drivers from the msi site and they've worked fine. The only thing I'm unsure about is using the msi bios update although it would probably be o.k too.

/edit: My win 7 disk arrived this morning and I was also pissed off to find only 32 bit version included. I'm currently torrenting 64 bit .iso so I hope the key works. Will post back with results.

Forgot to mention; I have installed a 7200 rpm WD scorpio black and it's definitely nippier now. I notice quite a difference when loading/zoning in games. I'm using the original as external storage in an esata linked enclosure.

 

Just order my one today for 665.97 from Currys with 5% discount.
One question does this laptop (Avant 7555 GX) have Bluetooth and WIFI N, I could not see it in the spec details. I am thinking of getting a bluetooth mouse, so would help to find out thanks

 

But how / where do i get the 64 bit version as its not on my disc ?

 

You can get it here - http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

 

Which bank is it ?

Aye,it will work

yes it does

 

Where did you get the 5% discount as the xmas5 code didnt work for me, but did purchase through quidco so hopefully will track for the extra 3.5%.

 

Yes and yes. WIFI N seems to perform very well for multiplayer games compared to older standards. As responsive as cable link to the router (or so close you can't tell the difference).

 

Use code "COMP5" its valid till 16/12/09. For more details search currys in hotukdeals.com

 

Thanks now I can order the bluetooth mouse (Microsoft 5000) from amazon.co.uk

 

Many thanks

 

I've had the machine up and running for a week-ish now and its absolutely awesome. Gave it a test with Left 4 Dead yesterday and it flew - also the included draft-n wireless connection was one hell of a step up from the USB stick one on my old desktop!

I'm just having problems with the Win 7 upgrade as the website doesn't think its a valid product - i've been told by the helpline to go into a store which IMO probably won't work - might as well try though!

 

I had the same problem
and yeah I don't think going to a store will help...
what i did was-I send an email to 'techguys' customer service,and I end up corresponding with 'Lotta Jonsson' ( [email protected] )-she was really nice and helpful,and she manage to sort out everything for me
give it a try

 

I too have sent for the upgrade and hoping i dont have the same issue lol not sure why they did not ship the laptop with 64bit version to start with

and can anyone recommend a laptop bag that this fits in. i cant find one that looks ok and fits

 

Found a great looking one on newegg.com a while back. Think it was called isis dei?

EDIT: A quick google found their main page, just go from there

 

First and foremost, a thousand thank yous to you guys. I found this site while searching for laptops on google and I'm so glad I was able to find such a beast of a machine for so cheap.

My laptop's gonna arrive sometime tomorrow and I can't wait, but there's a few things I'm concerned about, and they're mostly to do with Windows 7 and I'm new to some of this so please bare with me

Firstly, would you guys recommend simply upgrading to Windows 7 or doing a clean install? I have the opportunity to use a student version from MSDN and I'm undecided on what to do.

If I upgrade... can I use my existing Windows Vista key that comes with the laptop to activate? I ask this because I'm unsure whether you get a key from thetechguys for your Windows 7 upgrade or whether you can just use your current key. I'd rather just download a Windows 7 upgrade ISO than to wait for thetechguys/PC World to send me one. I'd like to get Windows 7 on ASAP incase anything goes wrong.

Also, if I upgrade, will I be getting the full Windows 7, or will it be a somewhat toned down version?

If I do a clean install... I'm guessing I will have a load of problems with drivers, right? The main reason I'm worried about doing a clean install is because some things on the laptop might not work afterwards.

I know when you usually start Advent computers they ask you to do some sort of backup, if something goes wrong with the clean install, can I just put the disc that I backed-up with in and revert back to the way it was when shipped?

Finally, has anyone had any problems when using the GT725's drivers with this machine?

Sorry if some of these questions sound daft. Thanks for recommending such a bargain fellas.

EDIT// Oh one last thing. Does the laptop come as 64bit? If I have 32bit Vista, can I still upgrade/clean install to 64bit Windows 7?

 

Hi, You need to do a clean install if you want to use Windows 7 64 bit. You can do an upgrade only if you want to stick with 32 bit. Given that it's a brand new machine with virtually nothing on it I don't see any real disadvantage to doing a clean install. Before you do, run the Techguys application that comes pre-installed to burn some vista restore disks. You can copy stuff from the "Applications" folder onto a disk, everything that comes pre-installed is backed up there. A microsfot works disk is included and to be honest there was no pre-installed software I felt was worth hangng on to but it won't hurt to burn it quickly anyway for peace of mind.

You can't use your Vista key on Win 7 so I'm afraid you will have to wait for the disk to arrive. Be advised that the Techguys only send you a 32 bit Windows 7 disk so you will have to download and burn an .iso anyway to get 64 bit (unless you can borrow a friends dvd).

I did a clean install to Win 7 64 bit, I had no problems with drivers. The only thing you need is the (64 bit) Realtek Audio driver which you can download from the Realtek website (the one on the msi site is 32 bit only).

You can just put your back-up disk in at any time and it will completely revert the machine to the way it was when it arrived.

I didn't need to bother with the GT725 drivers, as you will probably notice from the msi site, they only really offer 32 bit drivers anyway. Win 7 got everything up and running no problem, you just need to run windows update once it's installed. Like I said the only thing I had to add was the Realtek audio package.

I was thinking of using the Win 7 student upgrade but it's 9.99 from techguys or £30 from microsoft. £39 for win 7 Pro. Pro doesn't offer me anything extra really so I stuck with the default home-premium.

It's definitely worth going for Win 7 64 bit, the machine flys compared to the standard 32 bit Vista set-up.

 

@ Croogles.

Do a clean install definately. If you have any problems, just jump on the forum, tell us what is wrong. Theres never a problem we can't fix

 

Hi
Got my Advent 7555 delivered today, which was realy quick of DHL (thanks).
I am puzzeled by on thing I saw a golden colour connection near the right hand side (while you facing the laptop) fan outlet, which looks very much like a tv card ariel input or a GPS ariel input. I looked in the setup guide but there was no mention of this connector.
Can anyone explain.
Thanks

 

Yes it is an output for a tv antenna, but no it does not come with a tv card. Why? Beats me...

 

Cheers for that ill have a look :smile:

does anyone know if the 32 bit win 7 key from the tech guys upgrade will work with a 64 bit version of win 7 just to save me messing about to find out

 

Yes it will, but in the install you'll have to choose to enter a key later. After that you'll have to enter slui4 in the search in the start menu, then activate from there. Tricky, but completely legal

 

How do you make this back up disk? I don't remember any disk that came along with the laptop. (I bought it in September and I don't have a good memory )

I am also planning to do a clean install. The upgrade is just gave me problems with the ati driver that was available back in october. Now I want to install the new 9-11 driver and it is still giving me problems. Crysis, Empire Total War, Dragon Age worked with these problems, but they're messing with the new EVE Dominiom update.

 

I'm on Win 7 now so it's hard to check exactly but you should have a file
in the "program files/TTG/reminder/" folder. Run that and it takes you through the creation of the restore disks. You will need 2 blank DVD's.

 

Yes I have win7 and I see it (TGIsoBurner?). This will revert the system to vista 32 bit and start up drivers?
Then I back up the applications and I'm fine?

This laptop is precious I want to be completely sure.
I format the hard drive (i think this option comes with the win7 upgrade dvd), insert the Windows 7 upgrade media dvd and install 32-bit.
If I get 64 bit that was mentioned in this thread, then I insert that dvd instead of the 32 bit Win7 upgrade media dvd?

I tried the TGIsoburner with no dvd on the drive and no program started is that normal? (still have to buy some dvds)
I guess it starts up if you have a dvd in your drive?

 

Hi
which Realtek audio package, please can you post a link. I am thinking of installing windows 7 64bit. Ordered my windws upgrade 2day also emailed the [email protected] and asked for 64bit but probably unlikely as when I called this 0800 111 4005 number I was told that they only send out upgrade of the similer OS bit type (sorry for this could not find the right words)
thanks

 

I have purchased this great laptop recently for £699 at pc world, tried the promo code xmas5 at the time but that didnt work, so purchased anyway through quidco with the extra 3% off, recently a new promo code came to light comp5 which works, i tried to claim the difference through there price promise pledge within 7days, but was told that they could not honour this due to it being a promotional code, i had advised them that the check out price would still be lower than the price paid, but they would not have any of it, they would rather me send the laptop back through there 14 day money back guarantee, then purchase through currys, than make the difference up over the phone. Well i cant be bothered with that, too much hassle for me, but i feel i should do it just to make a point.
Does quidco give money back on items sold through promo codes?, Im not sure if they do, if so i could have saved 5% promo + 3% quidco, totaling 8%off which equates to around £50 , a nice little discount you would agree. Do you think i should keep pestering them for the difference? Also i dont see anything in there t&c about using promo codes for price promise agreements.
Oh well, at least i didnt buy it at £850 like some people. Still a good bargain either way.

 

Forget my last post I have managed to make a recovery dvd.
I'm installing windows 7 but in what partition should I install it?
I see 3, only the third C: is available. Can't I clean up the other two partitions (S: system and the recovery one)?

 

Hi, I've just received this laptop today. Happy with it so far. The keyboard layout's a bit weird though.

Anyway, I've got a question: I can't get my headphones to work! I'm assuming that plugging the headphones into the headphone socket should divert the sound through them, but nothing happens -the sound comes from the main speakers. Can anyone tell me if the socket works okay on their machine? I hope I'm not being 'special' here. I've tried different headphones to no avail.

Didn't realise there was a £9.99 charge to upgrade to Windows 7 either

 

It might be the socket you're plugging it into, I thought I had the same problem as you when I first plugged my headphones in. Go into the control panel and onto hardware and sound then sound, then try plugging your headphones into one of the ports to see which one it is.

Thanks for helping me earlier, I did a clean install and I'm loving it. I'm concerned about the touchpad though, usually they allow you to scroll by moving up and down on the right hand side, but nothing happens with this one, is there a setting or driver I need to look into?

 

Thanks Croogles. I've half got it working due to what you said. I think it's because I'm not used to they way Vista does things. It doesn't seem very intuitive. If I disconnect the headphones the sound doesn't switch to main speakers and vice versa, as I was expecting. I'm going to have to keep playing until I figure out what it's doing exactly.

I'm wondering the same thing myself regarding the touchpad. I tried installing the Synaptics drivers. They worked but didn't add any extra functionality. My old laptop had zones and scroll areas that were fully customizeable, and it's 5 years old!

 

Go to msi website, and update the audio driver, your laptops drivers are under notebook - gaming series - gt725.

 

You can delete the partitions or create new ones on that screen, so set it up any way you like.

You need to install "Audio Drivers for GT725" available here: http://eu.msi.com/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=driver&maincat_no=135&prod_no=1676

 

Yep, after doing this the headphone socket works as expected now. Thanks for the help!

 

Mine too, also my speakers now sound sooooo much better! Before they were very quiet and quite muffled, I had no idea a better driver would make such a massive difference. Normally things either work or they don't if the driver is wrong.

These speakers are pretty decent actually!

 

Hi
i can't seem to get 5.1 surround sound, i only get 2 storeo either the front LR or the back LR , someone HELP!!!
Thanks in advance

 

Yeah i dont fully understand 5.1 either to be honest, i think the jacks only handle stereo left and right.

Prehaps HDMI Audio to some form of amp?

Don't know, wish we had an audio freak here .

 

HDMI does output full digital audio signal, capable upto 5 channels. So long as the game is able to feed the 5 seperate channels of sound thats what you will get as an output.

But yeah you need a suitable reciever. Not all 5.1 recievers/processors will recognise digital audio through HDMI, many require optical link which the laptop doesn't output. Also if your reciever is connected to your TV then the TV may recieve the digital input through HDMI but not pass it on to the reciever.

The good news is that these days £100 will buy you a decent reciever that will accept HDMI digital audio to DD 5.1 standard.

Is it worth it? - yes, it is. Immersive quality sound is just as big a deal to me as graphics

 

Hi
I cant seem to make the webcam work, I could not find any application software to take video or photo using inbuilt webcam, so i installed skype to test it but skype cannot detect any webcam. Can anyone help?
thanks

 

You get the i <3 audiofreak award, but yeah i plan on a reciever at one point, i do definately want to experience sound in full 5.1 output.