Aspire 5755G blue screen on start up

Uses Windows 7 Home Premium. Approximately every other time I try to boot up my Aspire 5755G it briefly flashes to the blue screen (leaves the screen too fast to find and copy any usefull codes or info). It has prompted a couple of times to try to fix, asking if I want to restore from an earlier point. Once I said yes and after two hours it said it couldn't restore. Once it seemed successful, but the blue screen returned. 3 times I have asked it to restart normally without attempting a fix. Maybe 5 times instead of asking for a fix it gives the option to start in safe mode. I have started in safe mode and then restarted normally 3 times. Twice I selected normal start and it started fine.

When I have the computer working, I attempted to use a restore point myself, choosing one from approximately 4 weeks previous (before problems started). After several hours this was not successful and all restore points were removed (yes, I know about the check box to show more resotore points). I have run a complete virus scan and defragmented the drive. I ran check disc with the auto repair option - the first time through it blue screened, second attempt it completed with no issues.

Today when booting up the blue screen returned and when I tried to run in safe mode it couldn't even do that, it asked for a bootable cd to be inserted. I back up to an external drive using Acer Backup Manager (I believe it is a mirror of my c drive) and as part of this process had made a bootable cd. However, when I used the bootable cd it required a backup on CD and could not recognize the external drive in the usb. I have no backup on CD.

With previous computers I've received all drivers and the operating system on disc with the new computer. This one did not have that, so I can't reinstall windows.

There is Acer eRecovery Management, with an option to Restore Operating System to Factory Default, but I'm afraid to use this - will my backup from the external drive restore my personal data? And I didn't make a factory default disk myself when the computer was new, so I'm not sure I could use this option anyway.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to proceed? The warranty ended in January 2013 and I'm afraid of the expense if I take it in for service.

Thanks, Jennifer

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Tommy-Acer

jefair wrote:
There is Acer eRecovery Management, with an option to Restore Operating System to Factory Default, but I'm afraid to use this - will my backup from the external drive restore my personal data? And I didn't make a factory default disk myself when the computer was new, so I'm not sure I could use this option anyway.

There are two questions:

Did you back up your personal data with Acer Backup Manager? If so, you should be able to reinstall.

Can you make the recovery media? Yes, if you have access to eRecovery Manager.

My best suggestion would be to make sure you have your personal data backed up and then run the factory reload.

It is possible that you are having a hardware issue, but without information on what the blue screens are, it would be difficult to pinpoint.

jefair

I have managed to reinstall windows from the Acer recovery disc, but the blue screens continue - and not just at startup anymore but during operation of the pc. Actually, the situation is much worse than it was before. Sometimes when I try to boot up the computer it says there is no bootable drive installed. I had to change the boot order in Settings (F2) in order for the machine to read the cd to boot up using windows repair disc or acer recovery disc. I tried many times to reinstall windows to factory default but all the options were "greyed out" and not available. Then once the option was clickable and the operation seemed to be successful, but not for long.

In all I have reinstalled windows back to factory default 3 times. The first and second time the installation looked the same, the 2nd time it was completely different, it seemed to be a more basic install with fewer drivers (ie no wireless connections). During install 2 I tried to bring back my backed up data with the Acer Backup Manager (stored on an external hard drive - to answer your question, yes I have a backup) but it stalled for 4 hours at 8% complete and I aborted it. I have a recovery disc created when I used the Acer Backup Manager - here are several options listed but they either say they cannot run or do not run successfully and I should contact my administrator or the manufacturer.

Is there a way to freeze the blue screen when it occurs so I have a chance at copying down the info? They pass by so quickly, gone in a second or two, that I barely have time to register that it has occurred, let alone have time to read it and copy any relevant info. I could live with having to reboot several times before the computer starts but having it randomly tell me there is no bootable disc and then sometimes actually booting is frustrating. I never know if I'm actually going to get the computer started or not. Once started it runs quite well for long periods of time.

Or maybe the info is stored somewhere on the pc so I can look up what errors it has encountered? I would like to try to solve this myself as I have no idea how much sending it back to Acer will cost. But suppose if it is a hardware problem (hard drive failure?) then I'll have to send it back.

Thanks for your help!

Tommy-Acer

If you've not been able to get any further with the process, you may wish to contact your local Acer service center.

jefair

I was running chkdsk one more time when the computer quit for good - won't even turn on now.

I contacted Acer from the web site, 2 days later I received an email telling me to phone Texas to find out how to send the computer in for repair. Cost of phone call, shipping to texas ($80) and repair quote from email ($249) is almost half the cost of the computer.

I could just take it to a small repair shop in my home town because I haven't been able to find any links to local Acer service centers in Canada. Or I could just buy a new computer.

Tommy-Acer

Did you not specify that you were in Canada? There is an Acer repair facility in Mississauga.

jefair

Yes I specified I was in Canada - they had my entire address.

I couldn't find any info in the "repair my acer" section of the web site, and any searches I did of the community and the knowledge database brought up nothing. So i went to the telephone and directory assistance. Low and behold, the number they gave me was a repair line in Mississauga and now my laptop is expected in for repair. I'm just deciding if I'm going to drive it there myself or send it by courier - depends on the weather.

I am kind of impressed with the flat fee repair structure, although part of me still doesn't believe it will work out that way. Apparently the fee is $249 (plus tax) no matter what they have to do to it. I asked the fellow on the phone how much more it would be if they have to replace the hard drive (which I think is now dead) and he said the $249 would cover it. We'll see.

jefair

OK, I'm definitely impressed with the repair. It's back one week after I sent it by UPS to Acer in Mississauga. For the flat fee of $249 (plus tax) they replaced the hard drive, the keyboard, the thermal module, the bottom of the case AND the battery. It's almost a new machine!

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