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

I have the Canadian version also. Bought it as BestBuy two or three weeks ago. I don't know why, but the Japanese fellow's instructions just worked for me. Can't say why it doesn't seem to work for others.

Since some have asked. The eRecovery_v2.1.3001 came from here:

http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/no ... e_150.html

The DVD drive I have is an HP 1040 USB drive.

As noted by beepbeep, there are further instructions on the Japanese page for using an SD card. I skipped over that bit as I didn't have the required hardware (an SD card!) and so I couldn't test it. I have tried the PopupMsgBackup.exe to attempt a disc backup, but it never worked for me. It just dropped me back into eRecovery without any option to create a backup disk.

Kudos to MR650 for the expanded instructions!

Sorry, I can't help you with error messages or other problems running the backup. I just tried to note the steps that worked for me in the hopes they would work for others too.

 

MR650's extra step of copying over the eRAgent.exe did the trick and got rid of the error message!!!

In fact I don't think the ePowering Framework is really necessary, because when I did the cleanup, I removed the Framework and the disk burn would still work - by invoking PopupMsgBackup.exe or eRecovery.exe directly from the install directory. The Framework only gives you a nicer interface (a non-removable floating icon thing on the desktop) to invoke eRecovery. There is no desktop icon for "eRecovery" with this version. It also sets up a password so that you must enter the password if you want to "restore to factory default" without the optical media.

This older version of eRecovery allows you to burn Factory Default Recovery disk, Application Install disk, or general system backup by partition (similar to DiskImage) to HDD or optical media. It also has the same ability to re-install drivers without optical media, like the original eRecovery on the Aspire One. So you may want to keep the whole ePowering Framework thing installed on the C: drive for the added functionality.

I installed the Framework and eRecovery on USB thumb drive and then SD card. It doesn't really matter because the original eRecovery will be uninstalled automatically anyway.

I used an internal Lite-on DVD writer connected to a USB HD enclosure. I do not have CD burning software installed. eRecovery 2.0.2024 comes with its own. I burnt the system recovery disk and application install disk, which contains the drivers, wallpaper, screen saver, WinDVD, LaunchM, ..

Finally a "real" recovery CD set. It sucks that it took all of us so much effort. I can now throw away the one I created using the thumb drive+Linux, LOL.

 

I have the US model. I was assuming the Pan American versions would be similar, but there seems to be something else happening if a backup could be made without the eRAgent.exe step (page 4 for those who want to create a recovery dvd from this thread). I only had the second listed dll and I could not get regsvr32 to load the first dll manually. Obviously you will have different dll files depending on what is installed on your machine. I just wonder if the first dll is even necessary.

I would like to hear from somebody who has restored using this method instead of using vendor provided media or a streamed xp cd.

It would be nice to see this streamlined and not include unneccessary steps or files. The empowering framework and dlls might not be required. I'm still trying to figure out the disadvantage of using the 2.0 version. 2.1 is the low cost PC fork, so the version number does not mean it is better or required for the AAO. Not having the floating evil (e) is a plus.

The questions I have are:
1) What is the default version of eRecovery installed on Pan American laptops (specifically U.S. and Canada)?

2) Has anybody created a backup set with the eRAgent.exe swap and only the 2.0 eRecovery installer (no additional .dll files, no empowering framework)?

3) Has anybody used the 2.0 version exclusively and used all the functions without issue?

4) Does a full restore work from this media?

Thanks.

 

I have had my One for a few days now. Today I called today and asked for the recovery CDs since the One XP can't create the CDs. They pulled up my registration info and said they would be sent out by FEDEX at no charge. That was a lot easilier than trying to do it myself!

 

If Acer gives you the media for free it's probably a good idea for everybody to request it so that they get the message "Either fix the eRecovery application AND/OR give us all physical media". It's not very difficult to back up the system if you follow the steps. The difficulty was the speculation and lack of built-in capabilities. It's a couple of small downloads and the entire trick is to copy one file into a folder during an installation. I think the 2.0 eRecovery system is probably better than the 2.1 version that ships with our machines because it offers additional useful options. Acer may have switched versions (speculation) for licensing fees, but they NEED to give us the media or a way to burn it. I'll make the call as well.

 

I used the phone # in Magick72’s post:

viewtopic.php?p=25920#p25920

 

I agree with that idea. Either 866-695-2237 (if that is your region) and burn now or just wait for the media. The only difference I see in the result is that the normal recovery method gives you a single disk with the OS and drivers, while the order appears to give you two disks. Until it's fixed I'll take both.

 

You can burn 2 disks if you want... a factory recovery disk(HD image) and an application disk that contains the drivers and some apps as mentioned above. But the application disk is different from the one they send out, I guess.

 

Cool, I didn't notice that. I assume the Factory Recovery will give you a clean default machine and the application disk is the same as the second restore option in the default 2.1 (install any drivers and apps without a clean sweep). I'll have to try an easier run without the dll and empowering tech. I wonder if the official media is an XP OEM install disk and then the drivers and apps a cd that also installs the empowering tech partition. Otherwise it sounds like they would be the same disks. It's nice to have both options (clean OEM or full image).

Thanks.

 

I tried a minimal approach of installing to the default locations with the needed applications first, and found out the following:

-The 2.0 Version of eRecovery will not install without first installing the Empowering Framework

-mfc71.dll was required for my drive to actually burn anything

-Empowering Framework is not needed for eRecovery usage, just installation.

-With 2.0 in place, I can also run the 2.1 eRecovery application from a copy of the Acer folder. SInce the eRAgent is identical, they appear to be able to co-exist and run without issue.

I copied all my files before an install, tried installing eRecovery without the Empowering Framework, installed without mfc71.dll, uninstalled, reinstalled without issue and used normally. I then uninstalled the Empowering framework and was left with a fully functional eRecovery suite (2.0) without the (e) widget managing Empowering Framework. Tested a few burns and everything seems to work.

I thought I had noticed that uninstalling the Empowering Framework removed everything, but now I have a fully functioning eRecovery application that can be launched from the start menu and allows full burns and more importantly backups of my system. The backup looks like it is 17+ gigs so I'm going to guess that it will do a full backup and restore.

This is why I want acer to fix/modify their software and not just provide backup media. A full clone backup of your system that can be rolled back whenever or backed up incrementally in XP Home is extremely useful.

The documentation seems to indicate that a drive swap will disable the PQSERVICE hidden partition. Is there ANY solution ( OEM Media or burns from eRecovery) that restores this partition in the event that we wish to change our drive? Do we need to backup the PQSERVICE partition separately (another pain)?

 

I used the thumb drive/Linux method to backup the PQService partition.

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=651&p=4646

Also used PTEDIT or similar program to save the partition table information in case a restore is required.

 

What the F$%#?

I just called them last Thursday and they said I would have to pay $35 for the software!!!!!

Acer is so f'in confused.

 

bad luck.... I am afraid, I already fixed my recovery partition, so I don't have to order one.
What you can do is to yell at acer, and say that I want to talk to a 3rd level person.

 

I called up Acer and received a FREE CD recovery set for Windows XP. It took up about 37 minutes of my time in total and I received the disks via FedEx Express
in a mere 4 days after the call! I was impressed. I was NOT so impressed with the Acer crap I had to swim through. I urge everyone on this board to call
this number to receive your free recovery set: 866-695-2237. Yes, free! It's a 3-disk set. Don't let Acer get away with penny-pinching cop-out excuses or lies.
(They can't refuse to give you one, because that would show favouritism -ie. they gave it to me free, so there's no reason you shouldn't get it.)

I'll explain what I went through ("Acer crap" -hope it makes it into the Google engine!). I hope you have the patience to read it all, it may give you an
indication of what you must say when you get a rep. on the phone. I put in bold the points that really seemed to get Acer nervous.

1. On every Acer computer I've ever purchased, with the exception of this one, there has always been a way to create your backup disks and/or physical
recovery disks included. The linux version of the aspire one allows for external recovery, so why is the windows XP version different. I made sure to
state this to Acer's support crew.
2. I had sent an email first, but received a reply that they would only support me via telephone.
3. I called the number given to me and a man answered who within a few minutes determined he couldn't help me and gave me another number to call,
saying that all Aspire One customers had to call this other number instead. Fair enough, but then why didn't Acer's email give me this number to start out
with? Somebody at Acer should be fired for wasting customers' time.
4. I called the new number, which is: 866-695-2237
5. I explain the problem to the lady, that my Acer Aspire One included no physical recovery disk and that the ERecovery option for creating one
was not available. It allowed a restore, but no recovery.
6. At this point, the Acer lady tells me the recovery is "on the disk", accessible by pressing ALT...etc. I tried to tell her that I wasn't referring to that
kind of a recovery, but rather how to create a recovery disk set. She seemed to refuse to understand the issue and kept reiterating the same tired
story about how to recover the system.
7. Remaining calm (but feeling exasperated) I said "I don't need to know how to recover the system but rather how to backup the hidden recovery partition
and Master Boot Record." She had no clue what I was talking about and transferred me to another support person.
8. The new support lady did the same thing, telling me "the recovery disk IS the hard drive, you already have it, just press these keys at boot time...."
9. I then say that if the partition or MBR gets wiped by a virus, or there's a physical breakdown of the HDD, or I want to replace the HDD with a different
one (within my rights!) I will have no way to get back the software I paid for. That's why I need to know how to backup my hidden partition and MBR to
create an external physical recovery set.
10. The support person says "the Aspire One doesn't have a built-in CD drive, that's why we include recovery on the HDD." Hmmmm, clearly Acer here is
trying to avoid the issue, or all of their reps are incredibly ignorant!
11. I stated that external drives can be hooked up, and I have one connected as we speak so that you can tell me how to use ERecovery to create
a separate, external backup recovery set on optical disks.
12. At this point....silence! The lady doesn't say anything. After a few seconds of worrying that she hung up, she goes on explaining "but you have
a recovery set, it's on the hard drive."
13. Refusing to accept Acer bullshit, I said "It's clear to me you don't know how to backup the recovery set that's on the HDD, to put it in a safe place.
Can I please speak to someone who does?"
14. I'm transferred yet again. The new person takes my serial number and then says "a recovery set on CD is shipped with that computer, you should
already have it." I replied there wasn't one and that the user manual package contents don't list it. Acer then insists that there is one. I ask if maybe
they are confusing it with the linux version because there are hundreds of reports on the internet that the win XP version doesn't come with the recovery
set. The rep. tells me that yes, even the win xp version is shipped with the recovery set!
15. I ask to speak to a manager at this point, saying that clearly this issue is now BEYOND TECHNICAL SUPPORT because if hundreds of people aren't getting
a recovery set and Acer now claims every Aspire One is shipped with it, then there is a need to talk to a manager.
16. The rep. puts me on hold, comes back after a minute, then simply asks me to write down a confirmation number and tell her my shipping address
so that she can "verify it".
17. After doing so, she simply says "we will be shipping you a recovery disk set since you apparently didn't receive one with your computer the way
you should have. We will be shipping it to you even though the warranty support period has expired.
18. What the ****? The warranty support period expired? Impossible, I just bought the computer and registered it! But I didn't bother telling the rep.
that, knowing that if I ever needed warranty support I've got the original bill of sale and registration information to fight any bullshit. I was just
glad they decided to mysteriously ship me a recovery set instead of letting me talk to a manager.

JUST DO IT, guys and gals, fight back! Claim what is rightfully yours. Like all of you, I spent too much time reading this entire thread on various ways
to backup when it was so easy to just pick up the phone and get a free Acer recovery set shipped to me. Don't let Acer off the hook; also, post your
success stories because I think Acer may just be trying to appease the most demanding customers (like me) by hoping they'll shut up after getting
the recovery set. No way, my brethren. I'm fighting not just for me but also for you...

EvilManager

 

OK boys and girls I followed Evil Manager's advice and called. Unfortunately I called a little to late this evening; bear with me as I explain. The person I got was actually fairly helpful. As soon as they answered I explained that I have been trying to figure out how to back up my recovery portion to external disks and I can't find any options to do this. This person took my serial number and put me on hold. After several minutes and several returns apologizing for the wait she returned to say that my computer should have a recovery disk and it is so new (purchased 10/16/08) that its not in their database. Because of this only level 2 support could help me. Level 2 support is only open from 7am EST to 7pm EST. I was informed to call back tomorrow between those times and ask to be sent directly to level 2 support.

I will update this tomorrow after I make my call but it sounds as if ACER might be getting the point.

Wish me luck.

 

UPDATE
I just got off the phone with the ACER Level 2 support and supposedly I have have my disk in a week. There was no argument at all. I had to wait on hold for 15 minutes before I got a human being. When a human answered the phone I told the Tech that I called yesterday and was told to call back today and ask for Level 2 support. Either I was in luck or the whole Level 2 stuff was BS becasue this Tech said he was Level 2. I gave him my Serial # and he said well your right here in the system and he didn't understand why the other Tech couldn't find it. I thought this was weird last night as I had registered on line last week. The Tech said he had to check on the avaliablity of the disks, I was on hold for one minute, (yes I was timing them) and he comfirmed my shipping address and asked for my telephone number. Then he said the disks should be there in one week. I asked for a confirmation number, got it said thank and hung up.

So far it has not been that big a deal. Like I said last night I think ACER is getting it (somewhat). These should have come with the computer or we should have the abiltiy to do this from eRecovery. Ask for your disks it your right and you should not have to figure it it just so ACER doesn't have to spend some money. Don't get me wrong if ACER had given me the ability to do this through eRecovery I have happily made my own disks.

I'll update a agian in a week or when I get the disks whichever comes first.

 

UPDATE

That was fast. The disks arrived at 10am this morning. That's less than 24hrs after my call!! The disks are:

System Disk (part # SD.S050B.AX)
Recovery Disk (part # RD.S050B.AE1)

Unless you want the challenge of creating your own disk I urge you to call and gets the disks you should have gotten to begin with. I think I spent a total of 35 to 40 minutes on the phone to get them. If I had called earlier the first day it probably would have been 20 minutes.

brutus831

 

I have a wee update to my previous post where I mentioned the free recovery set consists of 3 disks.
That's true if you are in Canada, otherwise you only get 2 disks.

The extra disk for Canadians is Recovery Disk RD.S050B.AF1 and is a French version of the install.


EvilManager

 

I just picked up an AO150 last night for my wife.

After reading this thread I contacted Acer by phone and requested the recovery disks. The tech I spoke with was very helpful and it only took a few minutes to register my address, and the AO150's Serial Number. He said that the disks would take 4 or 5 business days to arrive. The whole process took less than 10 minutes of my time, including 3 minutes on-hold before the call was actually answered. It was a pretty painless experience overall.

I'll post again when the disks arrive...

 

The disks arrived today! that was pretty quick considering I only contacted Acer on Friday.

They came by Fedex. I received a one page set of instructions (very terse), and 2 CDs:-

Part # RD.S050B.AE1 Recovery Disk
Part # SD.S050B.AX1 System Disk