Its OK - I managed to download it

I just thought I would add this for total novices like me.

Firstly Pello's recovery files work and I have just recovered my son's Advent 4211C even though he hadn't bothered to back up the recovery files.

Novices might find these comments helpful:

There are 2 places where you can find the recovery files:

http://forums.msiwind.net/windows/advent-4...edia-t5390.html

Read Pello's instructions caerefully. Please note the site does not always allow downloads but re-visit and you will get them all eventually. Alternatively get them from here:

http://www.megaupload.com/?f=UXH5SG8J

Again this site isn't perfect but with persistence you will get all the files.

Once you have downloaded all 35 of the 50MB files plus the winzip file and put them all in the same directory unzip the winzip file (I downloaded the free winzip application from http://www.cnet.com) and it magically creates the recovery file with an extension of ODN. If you get this far you are on your way to recovery - make a note of where this file is located.

Next I had to make my USB memory stick bootable. I did this by following instructions off this web-site (If I can do it ... so can you):

http://www.bay-wolf.com/usbmemstick.htm

Having followed the instructions I checked my memory stick would boot. Plug it into Advent 4211C switch on and hold down F11. After a few seconds boot screen comes up and low and behold memory stick is in the list of bootable devices. Select memory stick and soon if it is bootable it will bring up a DOS prompt screen starting C:\ ..... this is good news but dont go further - switch off.

Unplug memory stick and go back to Pello's instructions.

You now need the ODIN application. I couldn't get it from Pello's location so I went to the ODIN website and downloaded it from:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/odin-win/


Once extracted you will find an ODIN application.

Insert memory stick into your working PC

Run ODIN

This bit is a bit tricky:

Check Recovery at the top - not back up

Select your memory stick from the list of drives

Half way down dialogue box click on the browse button (square with 3 dots)

Where it says files of type Select all files

Find the ODN file that you created earlier and select it.

Press start and wait. Once completed you should have your ODN recovery key on a bootable USB drive.

Back to the Advent. Insert memory stick. Switch on. Hold down F11. Select USB memory key and BINGO stand back as your Advent goes into recovery mode.

Store all files and applications used in a location you can find them for next time 15 year old son screws up.

Good Luck.

Here's one source from the MSI Wind forum complete with discussion and directions on how to compile a bootable usb drive.

And here's some very good, straightforward advice regarding what to do with the files... (again Kudos to MSI Wind forum):



I hope that helps folks out of a sticky hole