AO150 w/WinXP --> Can I create a recovery CD set?

WOW What can I say. I am sure that is an option, but consider the following:

1. The Linux version does not have this issue.
2. The documentation included with the unit says that u should be able to do this through the E-Recovery utility
3. There are alternative methods available.
4. All previous Acer laptops etc have the full functionality.

What likely happened here was that Acer in their haste to market and sell the product did not do all due diligence to ensure that all the pieces were in place. There is a post earlier that states that Acer will send (free of charge presumably) the recovery CD/DVD's to register owners. Not sure about others but i certainly am not likely to shell out 33.00 (US probably) - and more for some - I am in Canada so you can almost rest assured the shipping and taxes will be almost double that to get something that should have been provided with the unit.
I would certainly like to hear something from the folks at Acer. Been awfully quiet on that front.
G

 

i clicked on that popmsgbackup and i got the option to burn cds or dvd.

P.S. JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IS HAVING A HARD TIME RECOVERING. THE ERECOVERY PROGRAM CAN BE DOWNLOADED ONTO VISTA AND I'M GUESSING RESTORED THAT WAY. i haven't tried it just yet as i'm trying to make a bootable usb drive with the software.

 

I just got off the phone from Acer America. I asked them how I make or get recovery CD's and he said you cannot make any from an Aspire One but he would be more than happy to send me a set. He verified my address and said they will be here in 7-10 days.. Fingers crossed.. the number I called was 866-695-2237. All he asked for was the SNID # from the bottom of my unit and verified my shipping address..

 

I got the recovery discs today from Acer. There are 2 discs.. They have a Microsoft copyright, so I am pretty sure they are XP.

System Disk (part # SD.S050B.AX) Size On Disk: 205 MB (215,971,840 bytes)
Recovery Disk (part # RD.S050B.AE1) Size On Disk: 3.03 GB (3,254,011,904 bytes)

 

or you could..... make a ghost image of your hard drive and then burn that to be later used with a bootable cd of ghost.

 

Guys, I'm new to the forum, I've searched a little bit, and I found some similar questions to mine, but none is quite the same. Also, I believe I did something that could help other users, so let's see that first.

I've bought the Aspire One 1570 (WinXP, 120GB HDD) two weeks ago, and was really surprised when I learned that they don't include recovery discs in the package anymore (cutting cost?? come on...). Furthermore, eRecovery doesn't offer an option to create the discs, and XP can't see the PQSERVICE partition, so I couldn't make an easy backup.

After several hours of web-surfing and countless reboots, this is the closest I could get to a recovery procedure. This is the bill of materials:

• my desktop computer[/*:m:1i9lp0g1]
• one copy of Ultimate Boot CD 4.1.1[/*:m:1i9lp0g1]
• a 512MB flash drive[/*:m:1i9lp0g1]
• an 8GB flash drive[/*:m:1i9lp0g1]
• an 80GB 3.5" HDD that was lying around (these last two are for the same purpose, I guess the flash drive is enough)[/*:m:1i9lp0g1]
• DriveImage XML 2.01[/*:m:1i9lp0g1]
• PtEdit32 1.0[/*:m:1i9lp0g1]

And I performed the following steps:

1) Loaded the UBCD in my desktop, plugged in the 512MB flash drive. Ran ubcd2usb tool off the UBCD to create a bootable flash drive with the hard disk tools.

2) Booted the AAO with the 512MB flash drive and the 8GB flash drive plugged in.

3) From the UBCD menu, ran Hard Disk Tools -> Cloning Tools -> CopyWype. **** ATTENTION: if you ever try this, be aware you can overwrite the wrong partition if you don't know EXACTLY what your doing (need a hint? use F6 to view the partitions' names, sizes, etc.). Don't blame me if you lose your precious data.**** Copied the PQSERVICE partition to the 8GB flash drive using Scale Size option (gave me an error at the end, but copied the partition I wanted), and turned off the AAO.

4) Plugged the 8GB flash drive to my desktop. Backed up the PQSERVICE partition (5.85GB) as an image using DriveImage XML, for precaution. And copied the files (using Windows Explorer) from the flash drive to a hard drive, and from there to a DVD-R. Extra precaution.

5) Restored the image to the 80GB HDD using DriveImage XML. Set the partition to bootable using PtEdit32. Turned off the desktop, removed all HDD's except the 80GB, and tryed a boot. The initial XP screen showed up, followed by the eRecovery initial screen. After a few seconds I got an error from INT15.sys. After I hit OK, the program exited and the machine rebooted. I guess this has to do with either my old motherboard not being able to handle Int15 properly (I use an AMD processor), or my HDD not having a second partition to accomodate the installation. Haven't tried to add a second partition yet, maybe I'll try this weekend.

6) Tried a different approach - reformatted the 8GB flash drive in NTFS (PQSERVICE clone was FAT32). Made the partition bootable with PtEdit32 and copied the files (not the image) back from the desktop to the flash drive, using Windows Explorer.

7) Plugged the 8GB flash drive into the AAO and booted. This time I got the XP initial screen, the eRecovery initial screen, and finally the backup dialogs. I didn't confirm the "Restore to factory default?", though. I'm almost sure it's going to work, but don't want to take the risk yet.

I hope that helps someone. And if one of you wants to go ahead and restore to factory default in step 7, please post your results.

After all, my question is: can I rebuild the system copying the PQSERVICE contents to a small partition in the HDD and setting that partition to bootable, then running eRecovery?

Thank you,

VMat

 

Hi. I created my own recovery CD.

Using an OEM Windows XP SP3 Home Edition CD, I created my
own version, I injected the drivers to the Windows Installation
so it won't ask to install drivers, they are already there. You just
have to use your own serial number located on you AA1, why?
Because this CD is an OEM version, not cracked, like the original
XP CD, but with the AA1 drivers injected, in fact, you got the key
right?

I can burn a CD for you, free of course. If you want it, just pay
shipping and that's it.

 

i just finish talking to acer america and they told me that for a minimal fee i can get the recovery dvd and he also told me that if i connect a cd dvd rw to the acer when i open the recovery console it will show a 3rd option that allow me to burn the image to a cd or dvd hope this help i will try this later on

 

Simply call Acer Aspire One at 1-866-695-2237 and request a set of WINXP CD recovery software for your system. They will ask for the SN and they will send them to at no charge as long as or if it has been within the warranty window of your AA1.

Otherwise purchase a copy of Acronics True Image software for 19.00 at Best Buy and load onto your AA1. You'll need a external CD/DVDRom. Afterwards ...hook up a USB drive that is the same size HHD as the AA1 and clone your AA1 drive. Real simple to do!

Also, consider downloading the latest BIOS from Acer Online Support ..V 3055 or whatever and flashing your BIOS with a USB stick..so you will not have a serious system crash.

 

I tried this and it does not work. If you run the recovery console on windows you only get the option to restore to factory defaults and install applications.
If you run the backup file inside the eRecovery folder, you do get an option to make a recovery CD or DVD. But you press Okay nothing happens.

If you boot to the recovery console using Alt+F10, you also don't get any options to make a backup, but restore from CD/DVD does come up as an option.

 

Wow, many replies...

JSn1, I managed to copy the files to a CD alredy, so I guess I can make a custom CD as you did. But thanks anyway.

URBANRACER and crcornelison, I live in Brazil, and the unit came here through gray market. I guess it won't be easy to get assistance from Acer. I might try to call them, though, just to hear what they say.

URBANRACER and Jnetty99, I tried that too, no luck. Didn't try the backup file inside eRecovery though. Maybe this weekend...

On the other hand, I'm like 90% confident that setting up a new bootable partition in the HD and throwing the files there will work. I just don't want to try. If I could easily replace the hard drive, I would have tried it already, but it seems that I need to take the whole machine apart to get to the HDD. Shame on you, Acer...

Thank you all!

VMat

 

hello guys here i found someting that may help i was checking you tube and some japanese guy install the Acer eRecovery (2.0.2024) on his acer one

here is the translatation to english

Old version of the Acer eRecovery (2.0.2024) by using the tried to create a recovery disk.
(Prior to the installation of the Acer Empowering Framework required)

AcerEmpowering Technology \ eRecovery \ PopupMsgBackup.exe to start a direct copy of the disk can be

and here the link'

 

Got my Recovery CDs for my new A150 today. I was a bit surprised because they quoted me two weeks from when I called them late last week, which makes me wonder if I was sent the wrong discs.

Is there any way to tell? The DVD says Part No. RD.S050B.AE1 and the CD says SD.S050B.AX1, and they both say copyright 2007 (?).

I tried running them but they just open an explorer window with a bunch of files. No autorun or anything.

 

Odie, you probably need to boot from them.

I'm very interested in getting my Aspire's XP license backed up. I paid for it, so I definitely want to have a hard copy of it. I might try acronis, or some other partition backup tool.

-Brian

 

Following the instructions (more or less) found on this Japanese site, I've managed to make a recovery CD.

http://aspireone.blog64.fc2.com/blog-entry-121.html

I got my girlfriend to translate it for me, but she is very non-technical, so there was a bit of guess work involved and I should preface these instructions with a warning that following these steps may damage your installation of XP or completely screw up your eRecovery. Proceed at your own risk.

It would appear that the Japanese fellow wisely partitioned his HD into a C: drive of 59 gigs and a D drive of 47 Gigs. I think he cloned his C drive to D in order to test and not mess up his original install. I didn't do this. Instead, I downloaded the eRecovery version that shipped with my Aspire one (2.1.3.001) then proceeded to follow his instructions directly on my C drive... probably not a great idea, but it seems to be OK.

On with the instructions...

From this site:

http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/select_uti.php?dir=notebook/ferrari_1000/utilities

Download the following:

Acer Empowering Framework 2.3.2023.zip
Acer eRecovery 2.0.2024.zip

Then check to see if
mfc71.dll
msvcr71.dll

are in C:\Windows\System32\ folder. If not, grab a copy from one of those DLL download sites. I didn't have to do this step, as they were already present.

Install the Acer Empowering Framework 2.3.2023 first. In his post, the Japanese fellow changed the install location to D: and the install directory changed from

C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\

to

D:\AcerEmpowering Technology\ <- note the missing slash after "Acer".

According to his post, this is an important step, but I don't really understand why. I did what he suggested and removed the "\" just to be sure. I was also installing on C: because I didn't make a duplicate partition of XP (see above).

Then install Acer eRecovery 2.0.2024. Make sure it goes to the right place '\AcerEmpowering Technology\'. and not \Acer\Empowering Technology\. I didn't get the option to change the install location, but it went to the right place anyway. YMMV.

Launch the new eRecovery 2.0.2024 and follow the steps to create a restore DVD or CD set.I won't explain these steps as they are very straight forward, especially if you have a USB DVD drive hooked up to your machine. The eRecovery does seem to create some sort of disk image before writing the DVD, but I couldn't locate it after the burn.

Since I didn't install to D:, I wanted to revert my eRecovery to the version that originally shipped with my machine, so I uninstalled

Acer Empowering Framework 2.3.2023
Acer eRecovery 2.0.2024

and the re-installed

eRecovery 2.1.3.001

I have not tried an actual restore from the newly created dvd, but I did boot from it and it presents an acer recovery screen. Exploring the disk seems to indicate that the components and bundled software are present on the disk. I've also tried running eRecovery 2.1.3.001 from my C: drive and it seems to function properly.

I don't understand why Acer didn't include a working backup utility with the Aspire One. This has been a major headache for me since the day I bought my machine. My original approach to this problem was using a Linux Live cd to copy the PQSERVICE partition to another disk. I managed it, but it was a real headache. This approach seems much easier and more practical.

HTH

 

Tried this but I get an arror about a 'missing argument' when I start the empower utility.
So this is not really working for me.

 

eRAgent is returning the invalid argument error message if this can be of any help to you

 

The translation above is quite accurate. The author also mentioned that if you don't have a D: partition, you can use a SD memory card as D:. He didn't say why the directory has to be renamed that way. He also stated that you can invoke the backup directly by running D:\AcerEmpowering Technology\eRecovery\PopupMsgBackup.exe

My take/observation/question:
1. Even though you install the new eRecovery on D:, it's still going to overwrite whatever registry settings etc. right? So it doesn't really matter if it's D: or C: . You'll still have to reinstall if you want to use the original eRecovery.
2. Where do you get the original eRecovery 2.1.3001 (in my case 2.1.3000) install file?

[edit] Ans: http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/downloads.html
Release Note:
6. Limitation
• eRecovery burning dependents on NTI CD Maker. Please install NTI CD Maker
XP version to make eRecovery burning success.
7. Version History
• 2.1.3000 May 30, 2008
....
ii. Spec. changed
1. Remove “Brun Disc” tab in UI
2. Remove “Restore system from CD/DVD” in Restore tab.
[end edit]

3. There is a PopupMsgBackup.exe in my original eRecovery directory but it doesn't seem to recognize the external DVD writer. Clicking OK will invoke the main eRecovery program again.

 

I tried the install and stuff. Same error as user "lucboucim" above.

When I went ahead and started the eRecovery, it would say "eRecovery service not available", or stuck in "eRecovery initializing". Starting PopupMsgBackup.exe directly didn't help.

Also note that your original eRecover and Enpowering Technology stuff will be removed when you install this older version of eRecovery.

I have the Canadian version of the PC. Maybe it only works for Japanese and Eruopean versions.

 

How *expletive* to Create a recovery DVD

Note: These are merely the step by step instructions provided by zafunk with the addition of copying an old eRAgent file into the eRecovery folder at the correct time. I used the acer 3304 bios with the official winflash on a 0150 and burned to an Apricorn lightscribe drive with Nero 8 essentials installed. I do not believe this procedure requires any burning software. A d drive is not necessary.

Disclaimer: I have not tested the install disk by performing a full restore. I know that the disk appears correct and boots. Try this at your own risk.

1) Acquire the listed files in the previous posts:
a- From: http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/no ... /utilities:
--Acer Empowering Framework 2.3.2023.zip
--Acer eRecovery 2.0.2024.zip
b-If missing from C:\Windows\system32\ acquire (Dll-files.com or a similar source will probably work)
--mfc71.dll
--msvcr71.dll
c-From: : http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/downloads.html
eRecovery_v2.1.3001
d-(optional: Install 7-zip http://www.7-zip.org/ for extraction)

2) Create a Restore Point

3) Get a copy of the eRAgent that runs on the Aspire One from the C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eRecovery folder and copy this to your desktop.
a-(Optional) Run the 2.1.3001 installer with the default settings before copying this file.

4) Install the Empowering Framework (It may be possible to skip this step), but choose AcerEmpowering Technology instead of Acer\Empowering Technology as the installation point. *note: This location change is probably unnecessary as the eRecovery installation performed later on your boot drive will wipe out the other files in Acer\*

5) IMPORTANT DO NOT QUIT THE INSTALLER UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED THIS STEP: Install eRecovery 2.0.2024
This installer will read the path to wherever the Empowering Framework was installed and use this as a destination. Allow the install to proceed normally, but when prompted to finish and launch eRecovery click away from the installer, copy the eRAgent file from step 3 into the new eRecovery folder inside the new AcerEmpowering Technology folder (replacing the incompatible default version from 2.0.2024) and THEN quit the installer.

6) Backup your system:
Make sure you have connected an optical burner to your system. You may see the green e logo floating on your screen. Clicking in the bar to the side will allow you to launch the eRecovery 'widget'. You will be asked to create a password. The old default password was six zeros, which I have used without trouble. Once inside the eRecovery system select the backup tab at the bottom (I do not recall the exact names on the tabs) and then click the option to create a factory backup (this should be the first). You will next need to insert media into your drive when prompted, allow a little spin up time, and finally click the proceed/burn button. The installer will gain access to the Acer partition and create your disk (This will take some time).

7) Optional: Test. You can see the contents by accessing the CD from my computer or you can set your machine to boot from USB by promoting the Optical drive in the bios.

Good Luck. Thanks for all the help.