re-install not going so well....can I use restore discs from other laptop?

JasX

RedBern wrote: »

anyone? Can I use other acer laptop restore discs? We're got another laptop and desktop (both acer) - I've googled acer and they charge £50 for new restore CDs, bit of a !!!!!! when I've got the CDs here they just dont work!

Well couple of options:

not sure if ACER restore CDs are standard between all their laptops, some of their laptops or unique to each type, bit of googling or talking to ACER might produce an answer if you can use your other ones?

other option would be trying to trackdown a (free) .iso CD image of the right ACER restore CD and burn a new one, filesharing sites if can't be found elsewhere?

or assuming it came pre-installed with an OEM version of windows track down a copy of a standard OEM windows install CD (or download a .iso image), install that then start tracking down drivers for yoour specific ACER hardware. note must be an OEM install disk rather than RETAIL or it won't accept the code on your sticker.

RedBern

thanks timmers - will try a system restore which will at least take me back a couple of weeks - not enough to make a big difference I don't think, but enough to undo the damage I did yesterday!

Jasx - thanks for the advice re .iso - will have a google and check.

RedBern

JasX wrote: »

other option would be trying to trackdown a (free) .iso CD image of the right ACER restore CD and burn a new one, filesharing sites if can't be found elsewhere?

or assuming it came pre-installed with an OEM version of windows track down a copy of a standard OEM windows install CD (or download a .iso image), install that then start tracking down drivers for yoour specific ACER hardware. note must be an OEM install disk rather than RETAIL or it won't accept the code on your sticker.

anyone point me in the right direction for this?? I've searched but not sure I'm finding the right stuff??:o

Should I just be doing a recovery of Vista? (I'm looking for an acer recovery but I can't find that).Sorry - not really sure what I'm doing....

Rikki

Have you tried pressing ALT F10 to get to the factory restore?

I've found this - - windows-vista-recovery-disc-download

Windows Vista, the installation media serves more than one purpose. It's not just a way to get Windows installed, it's also the only way of recovering a borked installation. The Windows Vista DVD has a "recovery center" that provides you with the option of recovering your system via automated recovery (searches for problems and attempts to fix them automatically), rolling-back to a system restore point, recovering a full PC backup, or accessing a command-line recovery console for advanced recovery purposes.

Microsoft seems to have realized this problem, and have thankfully made a recovery disc for this purpose. It contains the contents of the Windows Vista DVD's "recovery center," as we've come to refer to it. It cannot be used to install or reinstall Windows Vista, and just serves as a Windows PE interface to recovering your PC. Technically, one could re-create this installation media with freely-downloadable media from Microsoft (namely the Microsoft WAIK kit, a multi-gigabyte download); but it's damn-decent of Microsoft to make this available to Windows' users who might not be capable of creating such a thing on their own.

NeoSmart Technologies is hosting a copy of the Windows Vista Recovery Disc for your convenience. It is a 120 MiB download, and in the standard ISO format.

Rikki

Please note that the above links point to .torrent files. Torrent files are like a shortcut, they tell a download manager on your PC where to download the actual files from. Downloading large & important system files with torrents is highly recommended since torrents are protected against corrupt downloads and tend to be faster when well-shared.
(All torrents are being seeded by 100mpbs servers, they should be blazing fast).
Instructions

1. Download the appropriate .torrent file from above that corresponds to the version of Windows Vista you have installed.
2. Download and run µTorrent.
3. Open the .torrent file you downloaded with µTorrent. (File -> Add Torrent)
4. Select where you want µTorrent to save the Vista Recovery Disc.
5. Wait for it to download.
6. Burn the .iso file that µTorrent downloaded to a CD using these instructions.
7. When you want to use the recovery center, put the CD in your drive and boot from it. This is usually done by pressing F8 at startup, or changing the boot drive order in the BIOS.

Rikki

Useful reading - Click Here

RedBern

Rikki thanks for that .

I've done a factory reset - and so far..... so good!. I'm on the laptop now and it is working......just going to put some security, avira etc on...

thanks to everyone for their help with this. If I can help in any way (if you're ever stuck on a sports question:D...)

many thanks