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

thx for your posting EvilManager, I just called Acer about 20 minutes ago and they are sending me the recovery cds. now I can change out my 120Gb hhd for a 160 hhd.

bestman50
PS keep up the good work guys have XP and iPC 10.5.6 Finial running on my AOA-150 :mrgreen:

 

I called the 800 number, got through in five minutes. What they sent me, via Fedex, was a USB key and instructions to hold down the FN and ESC keys when turning on the power. No CD or DVD!I bought this two weeks ago.

-Larry
Aspire One
AOA 150-1742
Win XP Pro, 1 gb, 160gb

 

I called 866 number, 3 guys, 2 levels, over an hour and.... the guys at level 2 told me, he need to confirm my address to send me the revocery discs for FREE. THANKS BE TO GOD

 

I just received 2 cd/dvd recovery set today :lol: after 6 business days

 

Well I live in the U.S. and have called the following number: 1-866-695-2237 and was connected to support after 3 minutes of waiting and here's how my conversation went:

I told him I bought the Acer Aspire One and I'd like to order the Recovery CDs. He asked me if I was able to do it from the eRecovery software. I told him I only have two options 1. To restore the system. 2. To reinstall drivers and that I'd
still like the software in case of a hardware crash. He asked if the computer already crashed and I told him no because it is brand new. Then he asked for my SNID number on the bottom of the laptop.
He then asked me to register the product since it was not registered yet. So we registered the device. He told me to expect the Recovery software between 3-6 business days.
He also asked me if I wanted the USB or the CD version of the software. I told him I'd prefer the CD version.

So he said the order was placed. I then asked him if I could ask him one more question: Sir, why do the recovery discs not come with the netbook?

He said, it's our policy that if it's under the 90 day warranty that the customer needs to call and we'll give them away for free. Beyond the 90 days we will charge for the them.

So obviously that did not answer my question. This whole thing is a pain in the ass and I'll let you guys know if I aquired the CDs.

One issue I see is I hope they send it to the correct address because his accent was very thick and I had trouble having him understand my name and address information. So I double checked with him but I hope he recorded it all accurately.

So we'll see, once I get the disks I'll let the forum know in a future post.

Thanks guys,

-Ralph

 

I really need some help here guys. My problem is very similar to what other Aspire One users with XP and a 120/160gb drive are facing -- being unable to create a recovery CD as the eRecovery management tool only gives 2 options: restore or reload.

I've spent many many nights trying out various guides/tutorials I can find on the internet, but nothing works with my set. And because I'm not located in the US (I'm in Singapore), I can only get local Acer support. And the conclusion is, they're pretty useless:

My first e-mail on how to create a recovery came with a reply that it cannot be done, and I was warned not to partition my harddrive as this would wipe out the hidden PQService partition and I would need to pay $50+ for reloading the software.

Not giving up, I tried calling duing working hours, and was told that I should be a able to create my disks with the eRecovery tool. I insisted otherwise, and was advised to bring my set down to the service centre.

I took time off from work again and spent 2 hours travelling to Acer, an hour waiting in queue, another hour waiting for the tech guy to figure out the problem, only to be told 4 hours later that there is no way to create a recovery disk without third party software. Can't even pay money for a recovery disk as there just isn't any!

It's so frustrating that I'm on the verge of just giving up. I got my Aspire One more than a month ago and I've yet to really play around with it because I don't feel safe without a recovery CD.

Anyone with any good advice on what I can do? I remember trying these:

- Installing XP from a USB (U3) Drive
Preparing the USB key with my 8gb Sandisk Cruzer works fine until reboot when Windows starts its pre-installation drill, then I get an error.

- Macles Acer Aspire One Backup
This method doesn't seem to work with XP on 160gb hard disks as my 8gb USB drive runs out of space after backing up only 20%.

- Install Win XP via UFD
I'm probably jumping to soon into this as I do not even have a Windows OS CD or image. The one from AspireOneGuide doesn't seem to work with my system.

Some specs:
- Acer Aspire One AOA150-BK
- Model number: ZG5
- WinXP Home Edition SP3
- 160gb Hard drive

-Grace

 

If you install another operating system your master boot record will get changed and you will not be able to access the eRecovery partition.

First thing anyone should do is make a backup copy of the hard drive.

The Recovery CD are available on torent sites and there are links on this site.

Macles Recovery and Backup program needs a disk larger then 8gb.

What is different about the AOA150BK ? What would you like to accomplish ?

 

Thanks for the fast reply, Jerry.

My aim is to backup the hidden partition, so in case something happens to the hard disk, I can save my own netbook without going to Acer support and paying software charges. And since I don't have a USB optical drive, I hope to create a rescue disk with a USB stick, i.e. I'd be happy to just restore my set to the factory default settings when the day comes, using an external source. Slipstreamed or not, I'm not too particular in such times of desperation.

As for difference with a AOA150BK? No idea. If you're referring to BK... I think... it means Black? I'm downloading this torrent now: http://isohunt.com/release/228441/. I'm not familiar with torrents and I've only just set uTorrent up. According to the status bar, it's gonna take me more than a week to finish downloading... God help me.

 

@Gremlin

The easiest route for you would be to get a 16gb flash drive and use Macles Backup and Recovery program. The eRecovery program takes the computer back to day one. Any software you installed or system changes will be lost. Macles program is a simple image program. Personally I use Acronis True Image on a bootable flash drive and a separate USB hard drive to store the images. Takes 30 minutes to replace an image.

 

I'm not sure if a 16gb is enough as my 8gb will only last up to 20% of the backup. Reading the replies to Macles post, it seems that the method works well with Linux or XP with solid state drives but not with 120 or 160gb drives. I'm thinking of trying Acronis -- is the whole process of creating a bootable flash complicated? My C:\ drive on AA1 has hardly any programs installed and already 12gb is used. Do I create an image of the entire disk, or just PQService, or C:\? :? Sorry... I'm no geeky tech expert...

 

I found a bootable Acronis USB drive image by google.

You can backup the Erecovery partition, MBR, and C; partition, one or all. I backup all three at a time.

 

OK, I've tinkered with Acronis True Image and created an image of the entire disk (15gb) and a system state only backup (220mb). Haven't tried restoring the entire 15gb image because my largest removable media is an 8gb thumb drive.

I guess the key reason why I'm so frustrated is that a simple recovery disk that restores my computer to factory settings will not be that large and can be stored on a DVD or a 2gb thumb drive. Given that I have not even started installing most of the programs that I'd be using, I'm not so sure if I should run out and spend money on a 16gb thumb drive as the final image might require more space than that. As I'd be going overseas for an extended period, I'm ok with bringing some usb sticks but not an external hard disk.

How now? I've spent so much time on this that I'm neglecting other work...

 

An external 2.5" drive is very small. Very portable.

 

Doh. I'm not a tech expert but neither am I an idiot. It's frustrating when everyone skirts the crux of the problem -- use third-party software or get an external drive -- so they say with woeful lack of care.

 

This is Ralph again. This is in response to my post a few above about ordering the recovery disks.

I received the recovery disks in CD format: RD S050B AE1 and also disk: SD S050B AX1

So, I have not tried to recover yet but perhaps someday I'll need them. Acer just really sucks for not providing these...

-Ralph

 

JerryT -

That's a pretty cryptic statement. Care to tell where you found this bootable USB drive image exactly?

I agree with Grace, it would be nice to have a backup on a USB drive, rather than deal with an external DVD drive.
It would be nice if someone on eBay would sell a backup USB for us . . . <grin>

Finally, I'm new to Acronis. Can you point me to the web site for that beast as well. Thanks a lot!!!


Carey

 

After reading this thread, I called Acer to request the recovery discs. The person I spoke with started in right away with the "yours doesn't come with discs". I had my computer up with the reply from EvilManager on page 6 of this thread who spoke about this and used his bold face lines that said "The Linux version comes with discs". I had to repeat this a couple of times, and then you could hear the support guy sigh, and gave in. THEN, during registering, he wanted me to FAX a copy of the receipt for proof of purchase! I just happened to have my receipt in hand and read it out to him. (I purchased it from WalMart.) I guess the word "WalMart" turned out to be his kryptonite....the discs are on their way! 14 minutes.

 

Did they send you a set of Linux CDs or Windows????

 

I just got them today, Windows XP CD and DVD. The Linux comment was a scripted line from EvilManager's posting on page 6 of this thread. Check it out, it's very informative.

I had contacted Acer before reading this thread and they offered to SELL me a set of discs. After reading through this thread, I now have a FREE set of discs for my AOA150 that should have been in the box in the first place.

 

Just got off the phone with Acer (1.866.695.2237) and used the automated system to enter my SNID. When I was connected to an associate(1-2 minutes), I explained that I need the Windows recovery disks sent to me. He did attempt to walk me through burning a disk but I just told him that I wanted the disks sent. Very little or no resistance was given and they should arrive in 3-4 days. 5-6 minutes total, no need to be a jerk, but stick to your guns and you will get them. Thanks to EVILMANAGER and others for all their efforts and persistance.