I do not have a disc drive to reinstall windows XP on my Acer notebook. Will I have to return the computer and get a whole new one? Will my warranty cover that?

If you have a valid copy of xp pro, then just insert the disk and boot from it when asked. when you are asked about an install, choose a clean or new install and everything will be erased and you will start over. Be advised that you will need to get the lifebook drivers burned to a disk before you start.

You can actually connect an external device on to your computer like an External DVD drive via a usb cable to fix the problem. Or you can also make a USB Drive bootable with an Operating System such as Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 so that you can just insert it in your Notebook and reinstall your Operating System.

This method should work for you.

http://liliputing.com/2008/04/install-windows-xp-on-mini-note-usb.html

1. if ur notebook has recovery partition, u can do.
2. if there is no recovery partiion resides in ur HDD, then u cannot rstore factory windows setting, in that case get a New xp disk, install from the scratch.

3. Or order recovery disk from Acer, inc

VOTE Pls

You need a Windows OS install or upgrade disc appropriate for the one on your computer (including the service packs you have installed). The Acer disc will only restore to the original configuration. You will need to try to get an OS disc from Microsoft (difficult if your computer is out of warranty) or from someone who has one. Try locating a Windows User's Group (many of the members have multiple OS discs and will lend them out) in your area or a local repair person. Then you can use the Recovery Console.

Alternatively, get a Unix CD and an external hard drive or optical disc writer. Boot from the Unix CD (usually you can press F12 to access the choose boot location). Then plug in the USB hard drive or optical disc drive. Mount this disc and copy your important data from the non-bootable disc to the external media. Then run the Acer disc and download all the updates before trying to reinstall software and return the files to your machine from the .

In Win7, everyone can create this from Start > All Programs > Maintenance > Create a System Repair Disc. (So then you get one burned from any Win7 computer as long as you match Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(please note that if your restore disc provides an OS earlier than XP SP3, Windows Update will not work. You will have to manually find the updates on microsoft.com)

You cannot uninstall Windows Vista, but you can reinstall your previous operating system, which then replaces Windows Vista. To reinstall your old operating system, you must have the original installation disc. Back up your programs and files, insert the installation disc into your computer, and then reinstall the old operating system. To regain the hard disk space used by Windows Vista, reformat the disk during the reinstallation process. After reinstalling your previous operating system, reinstall your programs and files.

More information is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978788

You may want to consider upgrading rather than downgrading.

http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_4520.html

from ths link you can download the drivers ...

Try this it will really help to speed up your PC

Hi,

Like you, have heard of a couple of issues with this particular model as well as some others. Since it is still under warranty, perhaps your best bet is to send it back for replacement. I was also made to understand that since a number of their units have been failing while still under warranty that Acer opened up a page/site specifically to facilitate the return process here. The page has an option for parts only with a number to call (1-254-298-4696). Though this may be your first step, eventually I would suggest that you do send the whole unit if replacing the CD/DVD does not solve your problem. I am tempted to think that it is not the CD/DVD but a motherboard issue.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.

Thank you for using FixYa.

you can run recovery using the recovery discs which should have been created by you... or you have to go into the OS to access recovery manager...