Installling New HDD And Ram

Hello all, I am James, I have a System that is now out of Support range by 2 months. I thought it would be a good time to make some updates. One I am changing out my Ram from 4gig to a Matched Pair for 8 gig. That part is easy and no help was needed as Kingston Website made it easy to get the Right Matched Pair.

The next part is, I have a AXC600-UR12 that has 1tb and 6 gig of ram faster i3 cpu but I thought weill if that old thing can have a 1tb then so can this.. (Hope I wasn't wrong)

Ok so I am sure I am just over thinking this. But What do I do about a COA for my windows system? I am sure that it was part of the package for 8.1 (Now running Windows 10). So I downloaded from MS the 8.1 ISO, However when I try to install it the installatoin asks me for a CAO (KEY) so I am lost about what to do. Then I was thinking ok can I just Make a copy of the Restore area of my 500gig drive put that on the 1tb drive and do a Restore? (not even sure that can be done)

In the end I will have Win10 back on the system I just don't know how to set up the computer with it to start with. So I thought doing the 8.1 was the way to go. However after looking over and over everywhere, I think the reason 8.1 isn't working is because the one that was on the ACER was 8.1 with Bing that is a system free for the Manufactures to have set up on new computers.

OK so here is what I have.... Acer Aspire XC603-UR15 Ram 4Gig (Came with Win8.1 with Bing on a 500gig drive. Installed the Windows 10 Home update a couple of days ago. Bought a Matching Pair of 4Gig ram for 8gig total system memory. Bought a WD 1tb Blank drive that I would like to install my Windows on. I don't know how to do this without buying 8.1 Retail and I would really like to avoid doing this. I can't use this drive as a Back up without makeing it a external system and really I wouldn't want to have it laying around the out side of my computer. My files are to important to me.

Thank you for any help in Advance.

James

Accepted answers

All comments

JordanB

If you have the Bing version of Windows 8.1, it's important that you make a factory default recovery drive.....because you can't use the generic/vanilla iso from microsofts website....since you have that "Bing" version. Try to use acer's recovery management software (if it's not too late).

If it's too late, then you can order the recovery software from Acer.

The windows key is stored in the BIOS for Acer OEM windows 8.1 computers (if your computer came with windows 8.1). For windows 10 upgrades, microsoft hasn't fully disclosed how they activate windows 10 for obvious security/pirating reasons. But a big part of it is the upgrade software taking a snapshot of your mainboard/motherboard and other hardware. Or I should say, the upgrade software takes it's own automated snapshot of the motherboard and some other unknown things, Basically you can replace any hardware except the mainboard (without having to buy a new windows copy).

The generic/vanilla windows 8.1 iso works fine on Acer OEM windows 8.1 computers (as long as you don't have the Bing version). At the end of the installation it will automatically retrieve the key from the bios and automatically activate (again, as long as you don't have the bing version). So you can "skip", "not now", "do this later" if it asks for a key.

http://acer--uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/26286/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDQyMDYwNzgxL3NpZC9ZRmpZcWh3bQ%3D%3D

if that doesn't work you can try to make it with.......

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4200-recovery-drive-create-windows-10-a.html

http://store.acer.com/store/aceramer/en_US/eRecovery

Note: someone on this forum did go to the dark web to get a copy of windows 8.1 bing. I wouldn't recommend that because the dark web is loaded with advanced, state of the art malware. Probably the quickest way to make your computer an unknowlingly part of a botnet is to go to dark web and get software. It's definitely worth paying Acer the $45 for recovery software if you need to.

I've never run windows 8.1 and windows 10 in a dual boot if that's what you're talking about.

RevoMaxx

Hello and Thank you for the Reply. Dual boot, No I wouldn't want to do that for this machine. I like some of my computers to remain clean and healthy. I have the XC600 that had 8 on it for some time. I have to say I really like 8.1 and 10 much better then 8. (didn't update the 600 to 8.1 until I wanted to change to 10) Sadly I didn't think things over very well before I started making system changes. I should have created a Backup (eRecovery) for my machines incase I needed to take it back to factory. I guess I thought it would just Remain on the hidden part of the drive

This one is the only one that I haven't ran the Clean up on to delete the old windows. Looks like I may want to take this back to 8.1 before I do anything with the cleanup. Out of all the computers, 7 Laptops and 3 desktops I just thought of a reason I may needed a backup LOL. I just wonder if it will give the option to go back to 10 if I take it back down to 8.1? I have some research to do still.

Thank you for the Help and reply

James

JordanB

Yes, you'll be able to go back to windows 10. I've already done it myself.

RevoMaxx

Awesome, Thank you. I will have to set some time aside. I don't like having to run out while doing these things in fear of something not going as planned. Thanks for the Fast Reply

James

JordanB

After you make your windows 8.1 factory default recovery USB drive and on any computer that you've verified that it has been properly upgraded to Windows 10 and has windows 10 activated........

(the link below shows various methods to verify that your Windows 10 has been activated---the first method is all you really need to check)

http://www.ghacks.net/2015/08/01/check-if-windows-10-is-activated/

...if it's activated, you can do a clean install of Windows 10 if you want. The steps below are not an acceptable way to upgrade a PC to windows 10 for the first time.

A clean install of windows 10 would typically go like this:

1. Backup all your important personal files like photos, word documents...etc..etc,,..because the following steps will wipe your HDD or SSD.

2. Create a windows 10 installation media (either USB or DVD--doesn't matter which). Choose "install on a different PC".

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

3. Go in to your BIOS settings and enable the "Boot Menu" and then save/exit.

4. Boot the windows 10 USB or DVD installation media.

5. After you choose your language, look for "Repair your PC"...and select "Repair your PC".

6. Navigate in the menu and select "Command Prompt"

7. Use "diskpart clean" which will wipe your HDD or SSD. Be careful here, because if you select the wrong drive.....that would be bad.

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/The-Cru/Reset-your-SSD-to-factory-settings-Windows-DiskPart/ba-p/162503

8. After diskpart clean successfully runs, exit out of diskpart, and exit out of command prompt.

9. Navigate in the menu until you find "shutdown your computer"...and shutdown your computer.

10. Turn on your computer, and install windows 10. Choose custom install, Left click on your blank drive that says "unallocated space" to select it. Left click on "next". After you click "next", the windows installer will automatically format and partition your HDD/SSD and install windows 10 for you. When it asks for a product key, you don't need to enter a key.....just click on "skip" or "not now", or "do this later". It should automatically activate when it's done installing (assuming you're connected to internet).

11. Check Acer website for drivers.

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

Important Note: Those 11 steps are only for people that have verified that Windows 10 is currently activated or was previously activated on their computer. It is not a proper way to upgrade a PC to windows 10 for the first time. It will result in a non-genuine windows if the computer wasn't previously upgraded to windows 10 and verified to be windows 10 activated .

RevoMaxx

Thank you for the Reply and the Information..... As of about 1am today PST I Installed Windoes 10 from the ISO off MS Website. At first I didn't think it was going to work.

Also Just to make things clear I did try and Clone the Drive from 5 differnt Cloning Software Sites all say they were free and one even does an update to full version by sharing to one of 3 Social media sites even after sharing to the site and having the ability to clone. Windoes 10 is set up in a way that it don't want to clone. Also after talking with a MS Support staff, They told me that they don't recommend cloning the drive and said should be done fresh. So after that information I took to the task of DL the ISO and installing the software. Click the Skip when asked for the COA/Key then after all installed was asked again inside of Windows to enter code, down at the bottom was a spot to do later. I am not sure what did it but after the computer said it needed to make sure it knew me by sending a code to my phone for my account to update, I put in the last 4 of my phone, entered the code that I got in the text message and now the windoes also says it is Activated (Not that I think that last part had anything to do with it) Just a time line of how long it took.

So in the End only thing I can say is that there are a few things that I wish would have installed or wish I was able to get and use again for the DVD seeing that Microsoft don't offer DVD playback unless you have a Upgraded system and even then it don't install it from the start of the software installation. My daughter likes to watch DVD's on this computer from time to time. Everything other then 2 items had drivers installed. So looking over Acers site I don't see anything for an update but they do say my system will be Supported in Win10 so I have a good idea that they will or some time soon everything will be up to par. Only 2 things that didn't install right is

"PCI Encryption/Decryption Controller and SM Bus Controller." I am not sure if that is BOIS or Hardware related.

Thank you all for the Replies and Help

James

JordanB

After I bought my Acer computers last year, the first thing I did was read the quick start guide and then I read the manual because I wanted to make sure I knew how to back everything up. I came to this website support forum and they had all these cool videos that showed me how to backup everything.

One of the videos that I watched was this one:

http://acer-in.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27089/~/creating-a-usb-or-dvd-drivers-and-applications-backup-in-windows-8

So after I did a clean install of windows, I just loaded up the cyberlink dvd player from the backup.

If you forgot to do that, then you can use a third party dvd player like this one:

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

I'm pretty sure you can get vlc player from the windows store free.

Or you can start all over.....and backup your dvd player and other apps.

There's probably dvd player software you can buy too.....but free is always nice. Smiley Wink

Regarding...PCI Encryption/Decryption Controller and SM Bus Controller

Acer drivers are here:

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers

or you can use the intel driver update utility if your computer is not on the supported acer driver list for windows 10:

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect

or as a last resort try windows 8.1 drivers in compatibility mode:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_devices/windows-10-drivers-for-pci-encryptiondecryption/e6fba2c1-f5c5-4ac8-9346-8327ce454163?auth=1

There might be a windows update to fix the missing driver...hard to say.

Edit: List of computers that acer is providing windows 10 drivers:

http://www.acer.co.in/ac/en/IN/content/windows10-eligible-models

RevoMaxx

Thank you for the information and Help. Good news is I still have the 500gig drive set up as backup in my safe. I could just install it again make the Back up of the files and I should be golden. I love these computers, I just don't like the tiny spaces in them to work with. So I wish I could have just found the software package on the Web here so I didn't need to take apart again LOL. I know Lazy.....

About my Computer and Windoes 10 yes my Computer is on the list of Supported systems for Windoes 10. I do have a few that are not but are running 10 anyway just no support the the Graphics. Other then some Games that need the right drivers they work for everything else that I need or want them for.

Again thank you for all the Information and Help

With 8gig ram and the 1tb dive this still works for what I need/want it for and have some room for the extras uncase its needed. Before I did the upgrade it did what I wanted it for without issue.

James

Quick Links

Top Members

Weekly

Puraw 280

Jack22 160

RenanVilela 95

Diya1811 90

GAMING6698 75

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™