Problems with Factory state Recovery

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

I have made a mistake and I am struggling to get out of this mess, I hope Shawn or someone who experienced this problem can help me out.
I was doing the Factory state recovery using Alt+F10 while booting in my Acer Aspire laptop, everything was fine until the "Acer Launch" window appeared. The last process Install eRecovery solution is not completing. The AL window just sitting in the middle of the screen and couldn't be moved. I tried to disable it from startup, msconfig window vanishes behind the Acer Launch window.
I think the cause of this problem is I forgot to create the 2nd(D: data) partition prior to starting the Recovery process.
My original set up was like this:
EISA hidden partition
C: system partition
D:data partition

I have deleted the D: partition and extended the C partition
I have created Recovery disc but I don't have Vista installation DVD as my machine is OEM version of Vista on it. I do have an Anytime upgrade DVD which came with the laptop when I bought.
Could you please let me know any solution to get my Vista back.

Barman58 · May 2, 2009

Hi Brummyfan,

You say you have created the recovery Disc - by this do you mean the Acer recovery media that allows you to remove the data partition - normally two DVDs.

If you have the Acer media you should be able to insert the first disk into the machine and boot the system - No need for F10, just any key you need to boot from DVD - this should then restore to factory defaults.

Obviously this will overwrite everything on the system and so you need to ensure you have anything you need backed up

If you have removed the recovery partition and the discs do not work if you contact Acer you should be able to obtain discs, although they may charge a handling fee for shipment

rive0108 · May 2, 2009

brummyfan said:
I do have an Anytime upgrade DVD

You can do a complete Vista install from the Upgrade DVD disk.

If you have SATA/AHCI HDD's, you must install the storage controller (you will be prompted After Vista loads files to install 3rd party drivers), Or Vista will not see the Hard drive Partition and will not Install.

To clean Install Vista from Upgrade:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

Hi Barman58,
Thanks for the quick response, I have the neosmart D/L Recovery disc, I am looking for a way to delete the C partition and create C & D partitions during the recovery process.
I haven't deleted the Recovery partition which is hidden and it is perfectly safe. The problem for me is that the Factory Restore process initiated when I press Alt+F10 doesn't allow me to delete C partition and create C&D partitions(without Formating). Alt+F10 restores the computer to Factory state using the hidden partition in the hard disk.
I have tried using the neosmart recovery disc, the options it offer are:1. Install now, I am not sure whether I can use this as I don't have the vista installation disc.
2.Repair system, this option also doesn't allow me to delete the C partition.
If I can delete the C partition and create C&D partitions I can get my Vista back because the eRecovery Management is looking for the original state of the hard disk which was 1.EISA hidden partition 2.C: system 3. D data partition

I should have created this D partition prior to start the recovery, if any ideas or work arounds please let me know. Thanks for your time and effort.

rive0108 · May 2, 2009

brummyfan said:
Hi Barman58,
Thanks for the quick response, I have the neosmart D/L Recovery disc, I am looking for a way to delete the C partition and create C & D partitions during the recovery process.
I haven't deleted the Recovery partition which is hidden and it is perfectly safe. The problem for me is that the Factory Restore process initiated when I press Alt+F10 doesn't allow me to delete C partition and create C&D partitions(without Formating). Alt+F10 restores the computer to Factory state using the hidden partition in the hard disk.
I have tried using the neosmart recovery disc, the options it offer are:1. Install now, I am not sure whether I can use this as I don't have the vista installation disc.
2.Repair system, this option also doesn't allow me to delete the C partition.
If I can delete the C partition and create C&D partitions I can get my Vista back because the eRecovery Management is looking for the original state of the hard disk which was 1.EISA hidden partition 2.C: system 3. D data partition

I should have created this D partition prior to start the recovery, if any ideas or work arounds please let me know. Thanks for your time and effort.

To delete/modify partitions:
Paragon Partitioner
BURNCDCC

Note- If you try to re-image the drive with a factory install, you cannot make the partition for Windows smaller than what it was originally, or the imaging will fail. Better to do a complete Install of Vista from your Upgrade dvd, if you plan on partitioning.

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

rive0108 said:
brummyfan said:

I do have an Anytime upgrade DVD

Click to expand...

You can do a complete Vista install from the Upgrade DVD disk.

If you have SATA/AHCI HDD's, you must install the storage controller (you will be prompted After Vista loads files to install 3rd party drivers), Or Vista will not see the Hard drive Partition and will not Install.

To clean Install Vista from Upgrade:http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html

Thanks rive0108,
I do have SATA HDD but I am unable to do anything in the laptop at the moment, how do I install the storage controller.

Barman58 · May 2, 2009

if you need to work with your partitions but cannot get into the machine to do so have a look at this ....

GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD

Make sure you read the documentation before you start

I thought that the "Anytime upgrade disk" would just allow you to upgrade a working install on-line but not install :confused:

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

The laptop is unusable at the moment as this window(A Launch) blocks everything and I am communicating with my Desktop ATM.
As rive0108 suggested I have to go for the clean install but I do not know how I am going to install storage controller.
Ah... now I have seen Barman58's post and look in to the GParted liveCD.

stormy13 · May 2, 2009

If using a real Vista disk and not a recovery disk/partition to install, just download the necessary driver(s) from Acer and put it on a USB key (may need to be extracted). Then when installing Vista and you get to the part about installing any drivers, click on Browse and point it at the file(s) on the USB key.

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

stormy13 said:
If using a real Vista disk and not a recovery disk/partition to install, just download the necessary driver(s) from Acer and put it on a USB key (may need to be extracted). Then when installing Vista and you get to the part about installing any drivers, click on Browse and point it at the file(s) on the USB key.

Thanks stormy13,
I have backed up the drivers on a DVD, I have only Anytime upgrade DVD and I can do a clean install using the tutorial link provided by rive0108 but I do not understand about installing storage controller and I must make sure which product key to use because I have two keys one on the system, the other one on the back of the laptop on a label.

stormy13 · May 2, 2009

A DVD or CD with the drivers on it will work just as well. Same thing applies when you get to the part about installing the drivers, only difference is that you swap out the Vista disk and put in the driver disk, then once the driver(s) is installed just swap the Vista disk back (know this one from personal experience as I had to do the exact same thing a week ago with a new build).

As for which key to use, I would use which ever one is for the version of Vista that you are installing (Home Premium, Basic, etc). If both keys are for the same version then it doesn't matter which you use. May still need to go through the manual activation though.

rive0108 · May 2, 2009

barman58 said:
if you need to work with your partitions but cannot get into the machine to do so have a look at this ....

GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD

Make sure you read the documentation before you start

I thought that the "Anytime upgrade disk" would just allow you to upgrade a working install on-line but not install

She states she has the anytime upgrade DVD, what I think she means is that she has an Express upgrade Vista DVD (same as I am giving away in contest), and a full Install of Vista can be done with one of these using the Key that came with it-which is usually different than the key that came with the PC Vista install.

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

rive0108 said:
barman58 said:

if you need to work with your partitions but cannot get into the machine to do so have a look at this ....

GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD

Make sure you read the documentation before you start

I thought that the "Anytime upgrade disk" would just allow you to upgrade a working install on-line but not install

Click to expand...

She states she has the anytime upgrade DVD, what I think she means is that she has an Express upgrade Vista DVD (same as I am giving away in contest), and a full Install of Vista can be done with one of these using the Key that came with it-which is usually different than the key that came with the PC Vista install.

Hi rive1080,
The disc I have is "Windows Anytime Upgrade" and it was included in the purchase of my laptop and it doesn't have any product key.
I think I must use either the key I have noted from the system info. or the one on the label at the back of the laptop. As this is a OEM Vista I most probably may have to use the one on the back of the laptop. But more importantly could you please elaborate a little bit more about the installation of storage controller.
Thanks for all the help guys.
P.S: A minor correction, I am not a "she"but a "he".

Martee · May 2, 2009

Hello Brummyfan,

The storage controller driver you can install after reformating the drive, just put your Vista upgrade disc into the dvd drive and install os. After installing the Vista you should install all drivers, starting from storage controller, chipset driver and so on.

You can also try to get the Vista dvd from Acer. Just call and ask them.

Cheers...

Add: If you get the installation disc from Acer, you will install Vista without any key. Your key is in the bios and Vista will check for the key during setup over there.

rive0108 · May 2, 2009

brummyfan said:
rive0108 said:

barman58 said:

if you need to work with your partitions but cannot get into the machine to do so have a look at this ....

GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD

Make sure you read the documentation before you start

I thought that the "Anytime upgrade disk" would just allow you to upgrade a working install on-line but not install

Click to expand...

She states she has the anytime upgrade DVD, what I think she means is that she has an Express upgrade Vista DVD (same as I am giving away in contest), and a full Install of Vista can be done with one of these using the Key that came with it-which is usually different than the key that came with the PC Vista install.

Click to expand...

Hi rive1080,
The disc I have is "Windows Anytime Upgrade" and it was included in the purchase of my laptop and it doesn't have any product key.
I think I must use either the key I have noted from the system info. or the one on the label at the back of the laptop. As this is a OEM Vista I most probably may have to use the one on the back of the laptop. But more importantly could you please elaborate a little bit more about the installation of storage controller.
Thanks for all the help guys.
P.S: A minor correction, I am not a "she"but a "he".

Opps. Sorry

Sata driver should be in the driver disk as VIA drivers
http://www.user-guides.co.uk/cddown...a-Driver-Recovery-CD-Restore-Disk-155678.html

You can download a newer version here: (check device manager for controller) then extract the VRAIDDrv> drvdisk folder.
VIA Arena - Drivers Section

(click to enlarge image)

rive0108 · May 2, 2009

Post edited above you are looking for the Via driver on your driver disk. that is your sata/raid driver needed for installation.

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

No probs rive1080

,

Could you please tell me whether I could make a bootable CD of Macrium Reflect because if I could do that I may be able to delete the C partition and create C&D of 50GB each partitions and the Factory restore will be an easy option.

Edit: I have found out that this won't work.

rive0108 · May 2, 2009

If you want to delete the partition or create another, use the bootable partitioner I linked above [post #5] (It must be burned to disk first) use BURNCDCC.

brummyfan · May 2, 2009

rive0108 said:
If you want to delete the partition or create another, use the bootable partitioner I linked above [post #5] (It must be burned to disk first) use BURNCDCC.

Thanks rive0108,
I am going to give it a go and see what happens.

SIW2 · May 2, 2009

Hi Brummyfan,

Just to summarise the good advice you have received.

Use the partitioner Rive posted to create D partition.

If you still cannot use the recovery disc, you can install from the WAU dvd.

Use the product key from the sticker - it is not possible to use the one off the HD on an oem preinstall ( unless you also extract the activation code).

Depending on the oem, you may need to ring them to activate afterwards.

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