Want to install SSD but Windows 10 won't currently boot up

davetrousers

Hello, I have a relatively basic spec acer laptop and I've been considering getting an SSD for a little while.  Now the other day I switched the laptop on and it wouldn't boot up.  I now get a "Bad system config" error message.

I am now thinking that now would be a time to get the SSD.  So my question is can I fit a new SSD then reinstall Windows 10 afresh onto that?  I made a USB  recovery when I got the machine, or do I download Windows onto cd/dvd, (on a good machine) and use that?  Once I have a fresh Windows installed I would then use a caddy to copy over my files etc to the new SSD.  The current HDD (spinny) works in a caddy and so i'd be able to copy them over.

Thanks

debitcardmayhem

have you tried your usb recovery first?

davetrousers

debitcardmayhem said:

have you tried your usb recovery first?

Not yet.

TBH not sure how to use it!  Do I plug it in then switch the laptop on, or get into the "Windows Recovery Environment" by switching it on and off 3 times?

debitcardmayhem

Plug in USB , power on lappy and press F12 a lot whilst booting up and then you should get the choice of which to boot from

Then you could select repair

davetrousers

F12 doesnt work. grrr

debitcardmayhem

Try delete or go to the bios  and select boot, what is the model of the acer?

davetrousers

acer aspire es1 533 p9pv

I know F2 gets me into the BIOS, so change the boot order to put USB before HDD?

Del doesn't do anything

Have enabled F12 in the BIOS

TheRightOne

Create the installation media.

Creating the Windows 10 USB flash drive

1. Visit the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
2. Click Download Tool Now.
3. Save the Application.
4. Plug your USB Flash Drive into the PC where you saved the application.
5. Run the Application.
6. Accept the EULA
7. Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.
8. Choose the correct settings for your version of Windows 10

• Language (Country)
• Windows 10
• 64-bit (x64)

Click Next.Select USB Flash Drive and click Next.Select the Flash Drive and click Next.

Allow the application to complete. You will be prompted when it is finished and has successfully created the bootable drive.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/550639/windows-10-media-creation-tool-to-correct-boot-issues

Purchase and fit the SSD. If you had Windows 10 installed beforehand, it will auto-activate when you install it to the new SSD.

davetrousers

TheRightOne said:

64-bit (x64)

Are you sure about 64 bit? As a basic laptop I'd have expected 32.

debitcardmayhem

yes it should be

grumpycrab

davetrousers said:

TheRightOne said:

64-bit (x64)

Are you sure about 64 bit? As a basic laptop I'd have expected 32.

Blimey, just do it   Old (more than 10 years), rather than basic, means it might be 32bit.  Your other name's not Biil is it?