Invalid product key for windows vista

lisa1969_2

Hi,
Not sure if anyone can help, but thought it worth a shot!
I bought a new Acer pc two months ago from PC World and my son set it up for me. It came with Windows Vista Home Basic pre installed.My son found an upgrade disc in the box and loaded it on...thats when the problems started.
I am now on restricted use as I have a screen that says my product key is invalid and I'm running a copy of windows that is not genuine.
PC World have said its my own fault as I shouldn't have loaded this disc as its for upgrading only and its wiped the original, Acer say its not their fault as Microsoft include the disc not them and they want me to send the unit to them to be restored to factory settings for £50!
Having spent the initial outlay for the pc I cannot afford this aswell.
Any suggestions?
Many thanks
Lisa...

Donnie

Generally, if you buy a new PC with the operating system pre-installed, there should be, either a Recovery Disc(in the box) or Partition(Drive ), in order to reset the computer to it's factory settings.

Do you have either?

lisa1969_2

Thanks for the reply...I haven't a recovery disc and not sure about the other option...how do I find it, sorry not very technical!
Lisa

startrekker

Donnie wrote: »

Generally, if you buy a new PC with the operating system pre-installed, there should be, either a Recovery Disc(in the box) or Partition(Drive ), in order to reset the computer to it's factory settings.

Do you have either?

I agree with Donnie, to access the recovery on the partition its usually done by hiting F11 on boot up, I think, hopefully this gives you the option to do a factory restore,,,,, remember to back up any important pics and data before you do though

lisa1969_2

Because I only have restricted access (I can use the internet for one hour then it shuts down) I cannot access the control panel or even have a start key!
Lisa

Donnie

I'm wondering why neither Acer, nor PC World have told you how to Recover the Operating System.
That's totally ridiculous.

Anyway, if it's a new PC, there is little doubt that you have a Recovery Partition or Disc.
On my PC it's on my drive. In addition I was supplied with two recovery discs.

Donnie

lisa1969 wrote: »

Because I only have restricted access (I can use the internet for one hour then it shuts down) I cannot access the control panel or even have a start key!
Lisa

Just turn it off. On re-start, keep hitting the F11 key(not sure if that's the key that ACER uses). Otherwise try Alt+F10.

lisa1969_2

They seem to know I'm useless at technical things...not hard really!..But they say that Vista has a hidden partition and because this upgrade disc was ran, the partition has been wiped.
So the only option is to have it restored.
Lisa

Donnie

It would probably help if you told us the model no. of your machine.

Donnie

Why would the Upgrade disc erase the partition? The partition has nothing to do with Vista. It should be a separate partition on your Hard Drive that restores your operating system and whatever software that was initially pre-installed.

lisa1969_2

Sorry....its an Acer Aspire T180