Notebooks & Netbooks

[PilotDave]

Cory, thanks much.

Since I am getting the same error using the CD set as I got when I ran the reinstall from the hidden partition, does this suggest that the CD-based reinstall is somehow reinstalling software from that hidden partition? I'm wondering if I would be better off erasing all data from the hard drive and then using the CD reinstall option that recreates the hidden partition.

If that makes any sense, how do I erase the entire hard drive?

Dave

[Acer-Cory]

Dave,

No, the RCDs are going to install it's own image. I would suggest it couldn't hurt to erase the drive and make sure there is a C: with atleast 32+ GB of space. That's where the RCDs are going to want to install by default and I don't think there is a way to change that.

[PilotDave]

Got it. How do I erase the hard drive?

[JackE]

Dave

If you decide to go generic, you'll just have to first install it. The first time it boots up (hopefully boots up), the generic Win7 may detect certain pieces of hardware whose drivers are missing. Then it will ask you where they're located (eg on your hard drive, on your CD/DVD drive, on a flash drive, etc. Point the system at your CD/DVD disk and see if it can autofind the correct drivers. If not, we can work that issue later after you've got the generic Win7 running with generic drivers but maybe not running as well as it could with the hardware-specific drivers.

 As far as I know, the AO722 models didn't ship with  bluetooth hardware so I'm not sure what'll happen if you try to install either one of the software drivers. Probably will just get an error message that bluetooth hardware wasn't detected. As for the touchpad, I believe you'll find the synaptics driver will do the trick. The Atheros/Broadcom drivers are appropriate for the wired and wireless LAN connections . Regardless, you'll probably get an error message if you try to install the wrong driver. If the wrong driver does get inadvertently installed, it can always be uninstalled and you can try the next.

Sounds like fun, eh?

Jack E/NJ

[JackE]

Sorry, I was typing my last message and posted it before seeing where your at right now. Carry on with wiping your hard drive when Acer-Cory gets back to you. But I do wish your OEM directory could be salvaged on the hard drive since it might still have all the preloaded drivers as was the case with my AO722 after the generic Win7 install

Jack E/NJ 

[Acer-Cory]

A 3rd party program would need to be used to wipe the drive. Also, a retail Windows 7 isntall should allow you to create/remove partitions as needed. I don't instructions on how to perform these steps as it's getting outside of the Acer processes.

[JackE]

If you can get a Win7 retail copy somewhere, here's a youtube on the process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zitib0_bNvc

Jack E/NJ

[PilotDave]

Thanks, both of you. I've decided to go the "install generic Win 7" route. So I am working on the iso download process at this point.

Jack - thanks for your suggestions on drivers. It's comforting to know that loading the wrong driver file won't be the end of the world!  I'll circle back after this is done to let you know how I've made out.

Cory - thanks for hanging in here with this issue.

Dave

[PilotDave]

Ok, I am finally making some progress!

I reinstalled Win 7 from a bootable DVD. Only issue thus far is that there's a problem with the Network Controller. Looking at Devices indicates that there's no driver installed for it. Also no manufacturer is indicated. Is there a driver that I should load for it? If so, which one might it be?

Thanks

Dave

[JackE]

Hi Dave:

As mentioned earlier, the Atheros/Broadcom drivers are appropriate for the wired and wireless LAN controller connections.

Don't forget to check if you still have a c:\oem directory. If you do, the drivers are in a subdirectory of c:\oem called "preload". Keep going, you're doing good.

Jack E/NJ