Aspire M3970 in reboot loop after upgrade to Windows 10 failed

Dear Acer support,

After a failed Windows 10 upgrade (stopped upgrading at around 80%) the computer is in a restart loop.

When the computer starts following messages are shown "De installatie herstellen" and "Uw vorige versie van Windows herstellen" after these messages are shown the system reboots.

I tried the following options to troubleshoot this issue:

Repair or reinstall using a bootable Windows 10 CD: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415/windows-10-recovery-options

-> I tried all the options. I was not able to restore to Windows 7 or repair to Windows 10.

Boot into recovery mode: https://nl.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/30524

-> Pressing "ALT + F10" does NOT boot into recovery setup

Order a recovery cd: https://store.acer.com/en-us/extended/recovery/

-> When the SNID is entered the site returns an error message: "We could not find the serial number you entered"

Download a Windows 7 CD: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

-> Error: "The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options."

Read all information on the Aspire M3970 support pages: https://www.acer.com/ac/nl/BE/content/support-product/3673?b=1&pn=DT.SHAEH.006

Additional information

* I could "boot into the system" using an Ubuntu live cd.

** A recovery partion is available on the system

** Was able to backup up data

Question: does the Aspire M3970 require another method for booting into recovery mode?

Kind regards,

Siebe

Accepted answers

All comments

Sharanji

Hi siebedom
Sorry to hear about your experience with windows upate and i appriecate your efforts in trying to resolve the issue.
The best option is to restore your device with recovery disc.
While everyone expects a new version to be better than before, a small number of users have come across several problems with the experience, including issues with apps, performance issues, missing features, and bugs with the user interface.

The SNID entered will returns an error message if the correct region is not selected. Kindly select the correct region
http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/
You can restore the factory shipped windows operating system, all device drivers with recovefry disc.
The product key is embeded in the main board and will be auromatically activated.

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siebedom

Hi Sharanji,

Thank you for the suggestions.

It wasn't necessary for me to upgrade to Windows 10, but Windows keeps insisting to do so, so I did.

The page you link to (http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/ ) does not contain a form to request a recovery disk (it only contains driver etc.).

I contacted my local Acer support (Belgium).

Acer support told me the system does not support Windows 10 and told me to recover the system using ALT-F10 while booting.
Booting with ALT-F10 did not work (I don't know if it's a model issue or this specific computer issue).

They provided me with an option to order a recovery disk.

My solution was to buy an SSD hard disk (Samsung SSD 256 gb for around 100 euro) and a second hand Windows 7 (on this site https://customit.be/webshop/nl/I bought one for around 25 euro).
Then I installed the Windows 7 on the SSD hard disk.

Now everything is working fine.

One suggestion for Acer support would be to simplify the recovery CD/DVD process.
It would be nice to just be able to download the CD/DVD (this is possible for the drivers) instead of having it delivered by post.

Kind regards,

Siebe

siebedom

Hi Sharanji,

Thank you for the suggestions.

It wasn't necessary for me to upgrade to Windows 10, but Windows keeps insisting to do so, so I did.

The page you link to (http://www.acer.com/worldwide/support/ ) does not contain a form to request a recovery disk (it only contains driver etc.).

I contacted my local Acer support (Belgium).

Acer support told me the system does not support Windows 10 and told me to recover the system using ALT-F10 while booting.
Booting with ALT-F10 did not work (I don't know if it's a model issue or this specific computer issue).

They provided me with an option to order a recovery disk.

My solution was to buy an SSD hard disk (Samsung SSD 256 gb for around 100 euro) and a second hand Windows 7 (on this site https://customit.be/webshop/nl/ I bought one for around 25 euro).
Then I installed the Windows 7 on the SSD hard disk.

Now everything is working fine.

One suggestion for Acer support would be to simplify the recovery CD/DVD process.
It would be nice to just be able to download the CD/DVD (this is possible for the drivers).

Kind regards,

Siebe

billsey

Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't allow third party manufacturers to provide downloadable images of Windows...

Sharanji

Hi @ siebedom

Glad that the issue is resolved and everything is working fine. I appreciate all your efforts in fixing the problem.
As crazy as it's going to sound the reason Acer might not be allowing you to download the ISO/restore disc might not have anything to do with Acer policy, but the type of Windows license Acer bought from Microsoft for the machine.

Hit 'Like' if you find the answer helpful!

Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!

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