05-14-2010, 10:05 AM
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#1
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Supporting Urban Sprawl
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XP Home Disc
I have a lady at work here who has brought me her PC to see if I can fix it and recover data if I can't. It seems the windows install is corrupt, so the easist thing for me to do is either a repair or reinstall.
It is an Acer PC, that I assume came with a copy of XP Home preinstalled and there is a product key on the case. The problem is she has lost her recovery/install CD.
My question is 2 fold. First, will there be any problems using any copy of XP Home or does it need to be the Acer branded OEM copy to use that key? Second, does anyone know where I could legally (or at least quasi-legal but safely) obtain a disc or image download to use for this purpose. I am sure I could torrent one, but who knows what has been injected into those images.
__________________
"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
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05-14-2010, 10:46 AM
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#2
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Franchise Player
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I've used a windows disc instead of the install disc on my Gateway, I can't assume it'd be any different with the Acer. It appears the only difference is the pre-loaded software, and possibly some drivers.
As for your second question - no idea. Does Acer offer any solution for lost recovery discs?
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05-14-2010, 11:09 AM
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#3
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Okotoks
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Dont they usually put on a 'recovery' partition that you could use?
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05-14-2010, 11:14 AM
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#4
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CGY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cKy
Dont they usually put on a 'recovery' partition that you could use?
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Even if they did, you ever heard of one of these actually working the way they're supposed to?
Use the hologram disc, but DL the drivers to a jump-drive first.
Killdisk/Format
Install
Drivers
Updates
__________________
So far, this is the oldest I've been.
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05-14-2010, 11:15 AM
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#5
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Supporting Urban Sprawl
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I don't remember seeing a partition on the drive, but I will double check.
Interesting question though, I have never recovered from a partition before, you would need to use a recovery boot disk I assume?
My hope is to repair it, but I am fine with a reinstall. The only problem with that is the discs we all have are VLK or Pro so won't accept the key she has.
__________________
"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
Last edited by Rathji; 05-14-2010 at 11:19 AM.
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05-14-2010, 11:19 AM
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#6
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Okotoks
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Ive never used a recovery partition, first thing that goes when I get a new machine - or do it for people - is zap that waste of space and go my own way.
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05-14-2010, 11:19 AM
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#7
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Supporting Urban Sprawl
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cKy
Ive never used a recovery partition, first thing that goes when I get a new machine - or do it for people - is zap that waste of space and go my own way.
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Exactly why I have never recovered from one!
__________________
"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
Last edited by Rathji; 05-14-2010 at 11:51 AM.
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05-14-2010, 11:19 AM
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#8
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CGY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rathji
I don't remember seeing a partition on the drive, but I will double check.
Interesting question though, I have never recovered from a partition before, you would need to use a recovery boot disk I assume?
My hope is to repair it, but I am fine with a reinstall. The only problem with that is the discs we all have are VLK or Pro so won't accept the key she has.
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Usually when booting up there is a point where you hit one of the "F#" keys and it activates the recovery. No boot disk needed.
__________________
So far, this is the oldest I've been.
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05-14-2010, 11:54 AM
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#9
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Had an idea!
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There is a way to run recovery without the disks. Something like booting up while holding F10.
I can't remember specifically though.
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05-14-2010, 11:57 AM
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#10
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Scoring Winger
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale
Even if they did, you ever heard of one of these actually working the way they're supposed to?
Use the hologram disc, but DL the drivers to a jump-drive first.
Killdisk/Format
Install
Drivers
Updates
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I meant to quote - not thanks.
She said she wants to recover the data. Do not do a killdisk/format of any kind.
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05-14-2010, 11:59 AM
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#11
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Scoring Winger
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Calgary
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05-14-2010, 12:08 PM
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#12
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Supporting Urban Sprawl
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gobsgraham
I meant to quote - not thanks.
She said she wants to recover the data. Do not do a killdisk/format of any kind.
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Data is already recovered
__________________
"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
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05-14-2010, 12:12 PM
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#13
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Calgary
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In my experience with XP here at work, it doesn't seem to matter whether the disc is from the original install or a disc that you used on another computer. Everything appears to be based on the license key. So I think that you'd be able to use any XP Home disc that you might be able to obtain. I have used discs for reinstalls that didn't necessarily come with that PC as I have had the license sticker for that PC.
I don't think that you'd be breaking any laws by borrowing an XP Home disc from someone else. You've already got a perfectly legit license, which is what counts.
With all of that being said, I have one kicking around here at work that I could lend you if you're stuck.
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05-14-2010, 12:25 PM
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#14
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CGY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rathji
Data is already recovered
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There! So you best be leaving that thanks on my previous post there, gobs! 
__________________
So far, this is the oldest I've been.
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05-14-2010, 01:07 PM
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#15
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Scoring Winger
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Calgary
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You just got lucky with that one but at the end of the day... now you are correct and that is a good way to go.
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