Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

Re-install Windows on Acer5742G

Apr 30, 2015 4:38AM PDT

Hey guys.

I really need to re-install Windows on my Acer 5742G Notebook. Unfortunately, there are a few problems:
- I have a Windows 7 Ultimate CD
- The laptop had Windows7Home installed an a fitting key
- No CD, Manual, or whatsoever remaining besides the laptop

Also, I want a clean installation, without all that Acer Bloatware. So I thought 'Why not put in the Ultimate-CD and install it?'. Thing is, it did not work. It seemed to have installed; But after installation it restarted, and instead of booting normally, a freaking Acer eRecover popped up. Only options are recover, reinstall&recover, and exit. Even if I put the ultimate-cd back in and boot from it, this eRecovery *** pops up. Thus, the last possibility I had was to reinstall through the eRecover - Which didnt work either. It gets to, like, 50% and then restarts. (And showing me the eRecover again...)

Could anyone help me out?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

Darkium has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
Sorry but this is the hardest path to go.
Apr 30, 2015 4:41AM PDT

You'll want the restore media as using that CD would not be easy. All the drivers and helper apps would be missing and provide an unhappy experience.

-> If you forgot to make the restore media, Acer sells such for less than a licensed copy of Windows 7.
Bob

- Collapse -
Sorry, new to this forum...
Apr 30, 2015 5:06AM PDT

I apparently replied to my post instead of yours. Sorry for the "double-posting"...

- Collapse -
Answer
I used the CD already multiple times
Apr 30, 2015 5:04AM PDT

I don't really care about helper apps and drivers, since I can download these myself. Also I used the CD already several times, and I would be really happy if it was manageable to install that version. The only thing keeping me from doing so, is the freaking eRecovery thingy (I guess)... So I basically need to bypass it. Please note that I'm away from home and thus only have access to this specific laptop and my smartphone from which I am writing this: So it is impossible for me to somehow completely format the HDD of the laptop with the help of my PC...

- Collapse -
Then wipe the HDD and it won't boot to that Acer stuff.
Apr 30, 2015 5:11AM PDT

Good luck. I've lost track of folk that attempt and fail to clean install Windows.
Bob

- Collapse -
How I wipe the drive.
Apr 30, 2015 5:14AM PDT

DBAN, GPARTED (these are bootable CDs) or if the machine is really being crappy about it, I pull the HDD and put in in some USB case to wipe on another PC.

-> There are laptops that lose boot capability due to ODD aging. Simple workaround is to use an USB DVDRW drive (about 25 bucks now.)
Bob

- Collapse -
Networking problem appeared
Apr 30, 2015 7:32AM PDT

Okay, I managed to bypass the recovery thingy by formatting the partitions "pqservice" and "system reserved" (No need for gParted, I somehow could boot from CD again and before chosing a windows installation partition I could format all of them). Windows 7 Ultimate is now up and running... But there is still one problem. Even though it is a laptop and HAS networking hardware, Windows somehow can't detect any networks... Could it be that my Win7Ultimate-CD is Desktop-Only? But even then it should have wireless networking capacitied, shouln't it? Weird.

- Collapse -
True.
Apr 30, 2015 7:36AM PDT

Installing Windows is done but after that you have drivers that must be installed in a specific order (the maker must document this) and finally those helper apps to turn on/off the network and more.

Wireless is usually disabled until you install not only the drivers but the Acer app to turn it on.

Not weird at all. Just how hard it is today.
Bob

- Collapse -
Oh, right.
Apr 30, 2015 7:40AM PDT

Sorry for bothering you again, should have been obvious... Welp, propably a bit tired.

Bummer that all my driver CDs are at home. I guess no internet for me then <.<

- Collapse -
Ethernet usually works.
Apr 30, 2015 7:42AM PDT

Just plug in.

- Collapse -
Yep,
Apr 30, 2015 7:45AM PDT

going to look for some cables in town tomorrow. Thanks for your help!

- Collapse -
"used the CD already multiple times"
Apr 30, 2015 6:52AM PDT

then what's different this time...or did I missed something?

- Collapse -
I try my best to not draw them out on that.
Apr 30, 2015 7:01AM PDT

My bet is it's another crack pirate copy. What's good about that is some update usually figures it out and the user is in worse shape than before.

They have a legit OEM OS and frankly the mess of those crack copies has made my friends in the tech support world a boatload of money as they sort it all out.
Bob

- Collapse -
Thing is, that I am not able to use this"legit OEM version",
Apr 30, 2015 7:35AM PDT

because the eRecovery thing apparently needed a backup-disc, which I don't have.

- Collapse -
Of course you can't.
Apr 30, 2015 7:38AM PDT

You didn't make a backup, you didn't create restore media and now it's broke. As you can see, installing another version is a PITA due to how much has changed over the years. I find techs all the time needing a refresher course on installing. And then we have each model needing it's own procedure. This is why I always give the nod to ordering the recovery media if folk forgot to backup or make them.
Bob

- Collapse -
Well,
Apr 30, 2015 7:42AM PDT

I guess you learn something new everyday. I never expected a laptop-installation to be that dofferent from Desktop-PCs. But thank you so much for your help!

- Collapse -
Some desktops do this too.
Apr 30, 2015 7:44AM PDT

Mostly those all in one models. Your classic big box models are sort of hit and miss on the helper app area.