Originally Posted by jcollis

I purchased an Acer 303XMi-SP2 less than a week ago. I previously had a 302 but had a problem with it and returned it to the supplier. I got the 303 from a new supplier that I have really enjoyed.

Anyway, when I received the machine the hard drive had been partitioned into two separate drives. I didn't like this so I used a WinXPPro disk I have (as I do computer support work) to use the DISKPART function. I deleted both partitions and recreated a single partition. I then used the Acer System and Recovery CDs to reinstall the system. Everything seemed to go fine until the install completed and said the system would reboot and start windows. I received the following problem.

Broadcom UNDI PXE-2.1 (build 082) v 6.2.11
copyright (c) 2000-2003 Broadcom Corporation
copyright (c) 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation
All Rights Reserved
Intel Base-Code, PXE-2.1 (build 082)
Copyright (c) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation
PXE-E61: media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting Broadcom PXE ROM
Operating System Not Found

I thought something was wrong with the system, so I tried a clean install on the 302 I had yet to return. I got the same problem with it. I then tried using the System and Recovery CDs from the 302 (which was NOT at SP2 level) and was able to get the 303 to boot just fine.

I then upgraded to SP2 via the windows update site and have had no problems since then.

It would seem that the problem most likely lies in the System and Recovery CDs and not SP2. I noticed during the restore from the 303/SP2 set that the restore is using Norton Ghost to copy a system image. I tried using my Norton System Works Premier which includes Ghost 9 to review the files. I had to copy the images to my hard drive and rename them to the *.gho extension. Unfortunately, the primary file is password protected and I've yet to be able to determine what the password might be <darn>.

I've sent an email to Acer describing the system setup/installation error, but have yet to hear back from them. What number did you call to get a nice helpful person?

If you would like a copy of the 302 System and Recovery CDs let me know.

Details:
303/SP2 System CD Rev 4E, P/N: SD.T2806.010 Bootable
303/SP2 Recovery CDs, P/N: RD.T2801.020

302 System CD Rev 2E, P/N: SD.T2806.005 Bootable
302 Recovery CDs, P/N: RD.T2801.002

Sincerly,

Jeffrey