View Full Version : How to format a laptop with OEM Windows... No install disk?
emilevictor
10-05-2006, 12:11 PM
Hey all. I have two petitions, and I want to format them and form them into one large petition. Then I want to reinstall the Windows that came with my computer. I have some ACER backup disks that it asked me to make - should I wipe my computer and hope that they work?
sevver
10-05-2006, 12:58 PM
Sure, what else would the backup disks be for? They are there in the event of a physical disk failure.
phool
10-05-2006, 03:36 PM
boot up the machine with the acer disks, it should give you several option, back data and reinstall, fresh install, format install. But it will probly want to create the backup partion again.
unless you have a copy of an OS that is not a restore kind, then you can just format and reinstall and have one partition.
striker1211
10-05-2006, 04:48 PM
Well you could always PETITION them, maybe they will go for it, you never know... ok in all seriousness, get a copy of Partition Magic if you can find the 8.0 trial, the new spawn of norton version doesnt have a trial. If that doesnt work use Ranish http://www.ranish.com/part/ .
noonebutme
10-05-2006, 08:40 PM
As i understood it, he has two pArtition's already and wants to merge em into one bigger partition.
And i'd say to download a copy of windows just to be sure - get the version you have and you can just re-use your legit serial :)
sevver
10-05-2006, 10:25 PM
finding a copy of windows that will work with Acers serial number may be difficult. Insert the disks like they said, and format and reinstall the os, if it recreates the partitions then merge them at that point.
noonebutme
10-06-2006, 02:13 AM
finding a copy of windows that will work with Acers serial number may be difficult. Insert the disks like they said, and format and reinstall the os, if it recreates the partitions then merge them at that point.
He could use nLite to make his own XP iso - pointing nLite to the /Windows folder when it asks for a windows installation.
hegemony
10-06-2006, 08:20 AM
I have an Acer laptop and with my system the second partition is the backup partition. The disks they have you burn when you first start up the system have nothing to do with actually installing windows. With mine if you change from FAT32 (gross) to NTFS you can't install again with their disk. I just formatted the whole mess with my copy of pro and NTFS when I got mine. It's lame that they hardly ever give out real disks anymore.
striker1211
10-06-2006, 03:58 PM
Does the original cd that came with it have a I386 folder? I just did some research and you can in fact use another XP Home CD to install as long as it is a OEM version. If i had some way to send you a ISO i would but i'm sure it's pretty huge and i would have to dig out the cd from one of my mobo boxes.