Richard H O'Keefe wrote:
Quote:
> I want to thank everyone for their advice.
>
> Acer has sold my computer model with the XP OS and with the Vista OS.
> I went to Acer and now I have a list of the appropiate drivers.
>
> When my computer was delivered, I received a cd disk labeled "Windows
> Anytime Upgrade". The disk was a freebie from Microsoft.
>
> I used this freebie and ran an installation program as a clean
> install. The OS system that was installed was Vista Home Basic that
> is unstable and requires activation periodically. I could upgrade to
> some kind of vista premium for 79 dollars. I don't wnat to upgrade
> over the internet and end up with an OS that is no better than a
> preinstalled OS. I prefer to install xp and to possess the
> installation disk.
>
> I probably damaged what ACER calls the hidden PQSERVICE partition, or
> the Master Boot Record. I have lost the ability to use Acer's
> recovery program to restore the Acer OEM preinstalled OS. I have lost
> Acer's support.
If you know for a fact that you have lost Acer's support (and IMO they
are pigs for doing this but there's nothing you can do about their
attitude) and you know for sure that you can't do a restore to factory
condition from the hidden partition, then purchase a retail copy of XP
and do a clean install. After the operating system is installed, then
use all the XP drivers you got from Acer and you'll have a working
computer again.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User