How do I reinstall Vista on Aspire T180 without discs or password?

I'm busy trying to "clean up" my nephew's PC, which he was given by his parents, the original purchasers. I have tried repeatedly to get Vista SP1 to install, without any success, even though I've tried many strategies suggested by technical forums. I therefore wanted to see if reinstalling Vista would allow me to do this. Unfortunately, because it was around 2006 when they bought the machine, they cannot remember the password. I'd like to know if re-installing would allow me to bring Vista right up to date with the SP1 & SP2 (the latter cannot be installed without SP1) and, if so, if there is any way I can achieve this without either the original system password or disks. I have posed the question direct to Acer, but not getting any direct answer. I have already copied all personal files. Would I also lose other installed programs? Incidentally, there is around 80GB of space left on drive C.

Thanks in advance.

John_Mc

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realtrickydicky

Hi, Yes you can reinstall vista without discs, you would lose everything, as it resets back to factory condition. but you can then udate to present time. Save everything you want to keep on discs prior to doing this. If you still got e-recovery on board, use this, if you cant find it, go to computer, programme files, Acer and you should find e-recovery there

John_Mc

Many thanks realtrickdicky. I'll try and advise the outcome.

Regards, John_Mc

John_Mc

Sorry for the long delay in reporting outcome. Because the family member who bought the PC cannot remember the password, I am unable to use the E-Recovery function to reset to factory defaults, so I'm still in the same situation.

Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

John

realtrickydicky

Dont know if this will work but you can reboot your comp, when you see the acer sign hold alt and keep pressing f10 until screen changes. You may still require a password, I'm not sure. Please come back to me, if fails will try to find a solution for you

John_Mc

Thanks again RealTrickyDicky, I had already got to try that, but still need password.

realtrickydicky

Unfortunately the only thing you can do now is reload the computer with another disc, you can probably contact acer with your computer serial number with who purchased it and when, they may issue you a new recovery disc, probably at a price. The thing is that the password is there to protect you, if they just gave a new recovery disc to anybody, computer thefts would multiply out off all proportion. Sorry can't be any further help on this. Good luck

realtrickydicky

1 quick question, did you try to manually install SP1 or did you let windows update do it

John_Mc

Thanks again realtrickydicky. I did try both automatic and manual. Just trying now in Safe Mode, using Microsoft Download Manager. My nephew may need to dip his hand into his pocket, either to pay for the Acer or Microsoft to do the job remotely (both have confirmed they can) or to upgrade to 7/8. Thanks for your suggestions. I will update on the final outcome either way. John_Mc.

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