I posted about a boot issue I had last week - a blue error screen that wouldn't go away - and was instructed via email by Acer support to pack up the machine and send it back because it was a hardware issue. Someone here mentioned trying a Facebook contact and when I connected over there, they just happened to be promoting this particular model. So I left a comment and they moved the conversation into my FB inbox. From there, the Acer FB rep mailed me recovery disks which I didn't have with the original purchase, and then stepped me through the procedure which included a YouTube video showing the entire process. It took a while because the Acer screen disappeared too fast, I couldn't get to the BIOS window to do the reinstall, but finally it worked. I then picked up some disgusting malware and the mouse wouldn't work, but that's another story. 
Now I just need to delete bloatware and reinstall other programs again.
Anyway, the point of all this is thank you for the Facebook tip, and a huge shout-out to Edward at the Acer Facebook page who took the time to help me accomplish this. https://www.facebook.com/AcerUSA
Also, here's the YouTube video that was so helpful. It worked almost the same way with the recovery disks as with the external drive. Click here for the video. I also subscribed since Acer has 160 other videos at YouTube.
Hope that helps someone else! And thanks for this forum - online help forums have saved my sanity more than once.
Dani
