Windows cannot start-no cd

scrumpyjax

Sons acer PC says following ---windows cannot start files missing or corrupt repair using original CD
BUT..it didn't have a CD as it came pre installed with XP home.
There is no recovery disc either.....
Any suggestions please

Lil306

scrumpyjax wrote: »

Sons acer PC says following ---windows cannot start files missing or corrupt repair using original CD
BUT..it didn't have a CD as it came pre installed with XP home.
There is no recovery disc either.....
Any suggestions please

No option for recovery mode?

When it starts up keep pressing F8, you may get an option to recover

scrumpyjax

Lil306 wrote: »

No option for recovery mode?

When it starts up keep pressing F8, you may get an option to recover

Thanks....got the option to start in last known good config but no luck, not even safe mode:eek:

Lil306

scrumpyjax wrote: »

Thanks....got the option to start in last known good config but no luck, not even safe mode:eek:

As you are saying it's a PC. I'm assuming it's a tower or a computer with a CD/DVD drive in it

If so, what version of Windows is the computer?

You will be able to download an .ISO file of a Windows installation to burn to CD that will allow you to reinstall it if you ever require.

victor2

What model acer is it?
It might just have a recovery partition. If it has, there will be a different function key or combination of keys to press to get to it.

scrumpyjax

Lil306 wrote: »

As you are saying it's a PC. I'm assuming it's a tower or a computer with a CD/DVD drive in it

If so, what version of Windows is the computer?

You will be able to download an .ISO file of a Windows installation to burn to CD that will allow you to reinstall it if you ever require.

Yes it's a tower.. not sure what you mean by version of windows ?? it's XP home and up to date with SP3.
Can you give me a link for the .ISO file??...I can burn it on my lappy.;)

scrumpyjax

victor2 wrote: »

What model acer is it?
It might just have a recovery partition. If it has, there will be a different function key or combination of keys to press to get to it.

It's an acer T120E about 4 yrs old and was great till today:D. There's nothing in the original booklet to help.
Any idea what keys??? or is it a google job?

Lil306

scrumpyjax wrote: »

It's an acer T120E about 4 yrs old and was great till today:D. There's nothing in the original booklet to help.
Any idea what keys??? or is it a google job?

Link I found on google. After searching your model..

http://websupport.acer.com.tw/et2/upload/info/286/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20Eng.pdf

I'll have a look at my ISOs, I can't remember if my Windows one is an SP2 or SP3 (think I have both somewhere0

Some manufacturers use custom Windows CD's locked to their BIOS but to reinstall the core O/S files I think a standard Windows SP3 CD should do

EDIT
First link in google goes straight to a Microsoft Website.... not sure if this is the actual SP3 CD or just the updates. The file size would be on par with SP3 however.

The actual file name is something like XPHOME_EN for SP3.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=25129

scrumpyjax

Lil306 wrote: »

Link I found on google. After searching your model..

http://websupport.acer.com.tw/et2/upload/info/286/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20Eng.pdf

I'll have a look at my ISOs, I can't remember if my Windows one is an SP2 or SP3 (think I have both somewhere0

Some manufacturers use custom Windows CD's locked to their BIOS but to reinstall the core O/S files I think a standard Windows SP3 CD should do

EDIT
First link in google goes straight to a Microsoft Website.... not sure if this is the actual SP3 CD or just the updates. The file size would be on par with SP3 however.

The actual file name is something like XPHOME_EN for SP3.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=25129

How will installing SP3 fix the start up problem?? I'm not technical enuf on PC's.

TakeThis

Information concerning the Windows Home XP disc is in your Private Message inbox.

If you otherwise wish to return the machine to factory Default settings;

Acer Recovery Instructions
Power on the machine
At the white ACER BIOS screen, hold the “Alt” key and press the “F10” key simultaneously to start Acer eRecovery
Once eRecovery has loaded, click “Restore to Factory Default Settings”
Click “OK” to continue
From here, the eRecovery process will update all the data on the C: drive and restore a fully functional factory image (approximately 10 minutes).
Once eRecovery has run, press “OK” to reboot unit.

You will lose any saved data using this method unless there is an option for a non-destructive recovery.

scrumpyjax

TakeThis wrote: »

Information concerning the Windows Home XP disc is in your Private Message inbox.

If you otherwise wish to return the machine to factory Default settings;

Acer Recovery Instructions
Power on the machine
At the white ACER BIOS screen, hold the “Alt” key and press the “F10” key simultaneously to start Acer eRecovery
Once eRecovery has loaded, click “Restore to Factory Default Settings”
Click “OK” to continue
From here, the eRecovery process will update all the data on the C: drive and restore a fully functional factory image (approximately 10 minutes).
Once eRecovery has run, press “OK” to reboot unit.

You will lose any saved data using this method unless there is an option for a non-destructive recovery.

Thanks,you're a star :T the Acer recovery didn't work but the download did and allowed me to get into recovery and load a new boot sector without losing any of his schoolwork.
So that's one happy son and one happy dad ...can't beat saving money before xmas and I now have a recovery disc...even better!!!