Re-Installing Windows with no recovery disks

[Meridie]

Hello,

My rather new Acer Predator G has been acting up lately. I tried a restore point but this doesn't seem to help. As a last resort I was going to format the disk and re-install 7, however Acer never sent me recovery disks and I don't have 7 disks (Came pre-loaded). So my question is, if I can find someone with windows 7 disks can I use them + The CD key that's on the label of my desktop? Or do I need specific ones? Acer will send me recovery disks for 20$ but If I can pull this off for cheaper, I'd like to.

 

[electrontau]

For some years computers (desktop and laptops) do not come with recovery discs. The recovery information is in a hidden partition in the HDD. Buyers are supposed to burn these discs righ right after the purchase but rarely they do.

If you can go into Windows (safe mode or normally) you can restore the computer to factory state. In the Start Menu there is a Acer folder that has Acer Management (or something like that). Run this app and it will let you create recovery discs and also restore your computer.

If you cannot log into Windows, you can call Acer and buy the recovery disc. OR use a generic Windows disc (so long it matches the version printed on the Microsoft sticker on the you computer). The MS sticker has the cd key for the OS version that came with the computer. After installing Windows you need to install ALL the drivers for this model. Download the drivers from Acer website. There is always a change that something will be missing, an ! mark in Device Manager.

It is a lot easier to just buy the CDs. Saves more time.

Good luck

 

[hang-the-9]

You may have a Resotre partition right on the hard drive you can boot to and resotre. Check your manual or look at the options during system boot-up. If not, you can burn your own restore disk per electontau's post.

 

[Meridie]

Best answer selected by Meridie.