Replacement Aspire R5-571T missing Acer recovery tools.

MSLTechie

Hello.  I have a warranty contract with AllState who recently replaced my original laptop with a completely new, identical, machine.  They pre-installed Windows 10, but they did not install any of the Acer software.  I did use the recovery software that shipped with my original laptop, and I'd like to find it and install it again.  It didn't appear in the list of software downloads on the support page for this model.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.

JackE

Click on this link to download, unzip and install the AcerQuickAccess app

https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Application/Quick Access/Quick Access_Acer_2.01.3030_W10x64_A.zip?acerid=637780686098975949&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIRE R5-571T&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6

MSLTechie

Thank you, Jack, for answering.  Unfortunately, this only installs the Quick Access software, not the Recovery Management software.  Any other suggestions?

JackE

Did you install and open the update QuickAccess anyway to see what options were available? Recovery management was sometimes merged into the QuickAccess app.

MSLTechie

Thanks for the suggestion, Jack.  I did do that.  Unless I missed something, the recovery management is not included.  The warranty company walked me through a Windows 10 install using a USB stick, so I will just have to use that in a pinch.  I know this is a just a thought, but perhaps there are other models that use a Recovery Management module and I should click around and explore?  As of now, nothing is broken.  Thanks again.

billsey

IIRC the licensing on the recovery management software precluded just putting it on the support site. You might bring up a support chat to see if they can email it to you, else it would require a factory recovery image.

MSLTechie

Hi guys - I found the tools under a different model number for the Aspire series and they seem to work.  Thanks everyone!

JackE

You probably originally had the AcerCareCenter installed that included the recovery app . Try to install this https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Application/Acer%20Care%20Center/Acer%20Care%20Center_Acer_4.00.3042_W10x64_A.zip?acerid=637879245478023203&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=ASPIRE&Step3=ASPIRE%20A515-52&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=ACER&SC=PA_6 version. If it doesn't work, try this link.

JackE

Thanks for reportng back. Glad it worked out for you.

billsey

Note though that often utilities like that are customized for the specific model, so you can get weird behavior or crashes when installing one from another model. There have been a *lot* of Aspires over the years and most are very different from the others.

MSLTechie

Thank you, billsey. I am getting a C drive error in the utility that does not seem to be confirmed via a CHKDSK C: /F command [admin status]. Perhaps I can ignore the error. I was considering calling the warranty company, but perhaps the best thing to do is to reach out to someone for the exact tool set. I appreciate your comment greatly.

JackE

Try the other download I posted earlier. There is a universal freeware version upon which I believe the Acer recovery is based on. since the menu screens are very similar. I can't recall the name right now but I'll report back later when I find it.

MSLTechie

JackE - I downloaded and ran the Acer tool you suggested. It reports back a C drive error. When I run CHKDSK c: /F, it fixes the errors. When I run chkdsk again, it finds no errors. However, after I reboot and check the drive again, it finds errors again. I've tried a few 3rd party drive utilities and some of them find errors, too. Hard to believe this new machine has hard drive errors so soon after being started. I know this is not my original computer - that one had scratches on the lid and this one does not. Do you think perhaps it's refurbished? or...Do you think Acer is still making new Aspire R5-571T models now?

JackE

I think the model has been discontinued. But some vendors may still have some new machines in inventory Most vendors seem to be selling refurbished units. It sounds though like boot drive is failing especially if its a 2.5" mechanical HDD. It should be replaced. They are fairly inexpensive now less than $50usd for 1TB capacities.

billsey

Which drive is installed in your system? The Aspire R5-571T models came with either a 2.5" drive or an M.2 SATA drive in sizes from 128GB to 1TB. If it's a 2.5" drive and it's throwing SMART errors you could easily see those symptoms. CHKDSK doesn't remap bad sectors very well, instead it rewrites bad sectors in order to handle intermittent errors. If there are errors that recur then your best next step will be to replace the problematic drive rather than to continue to limp along waiting for it to fail fully.

JackE

I think the model has been discontinued. But some vendors may still have some new machines in inventory Most vendors seem to be selling refurbished units. It sounds though like boot drive is failing especially if its a 2.5" mechanical HDD. It should be replaced. They are fairly inexpensive now less than $50usd for 1TB capacities.

MSLTechie

Hey everyone. So, a few days ago, I copied some files to this Acer Aspire I've been writing about. After a reboot, it sat and sat and would not start. We called the warranty company and told them what you guys reported and they agreed to take it back again. Their technician asked me to leave it turned on, and the screen had the green Acer logo and "Automatic repair in process" or something similar. Of course, after leaving it sit, it rebooted fine, and the C drive even tested fine. Ugh. Now not sure what to do. We already convinced them not to charge me a second $100 for a new warranty claim, insisting it was unreliable since they sent it back to me a month ago. FYI it is a 1TB drive. Any ideas?

JackE

Yes, it took a long time because it probably found bad spots on the HDD that had required system files. Then it marked them as bad. Then replaced the required system files on still good spots on the HDD. The bad spots are likely caused by the read/write stylus head hitting the spinning disk. It will probably happen again. And fixed the same way. Until the disk eventually runs out of good spots. You can probably check the health of the HDD with CrystalDiskInfo freeware.

billsey

Yes, look at the SMART setting for the drive. It should show how many sectors have been relocated due to errors.