I am trying to do a clean install of Windows 7 64 bit on an acer laptop, however, I have lost the Windows CD. I still have the Key. Is it okay to re-install windows using a Dell Windows 7 backup disk that came with my Dell laptop?
Thanks all.
Hello kushanku, welcome to Seven Forums!
After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; if you can find an exact Windows version that the PC shipped with you can do a clean install using the activation key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though it may require a robo-call to MS to sort the OEM batch-key.
How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone
If you can't find an exact same version, you could use the info in this tutorial to create an "all versions" installer of any version Windows installer, to install using the same method I posted above.
Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create
After you have made backups of everything you care to save, the best method is to do a complete wipe secure erase of the entire Hard Disk Drive first, it over-writes everything, all the old Windows code including all the old drivers/programs, giving you the best possible space to install Windows to.
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
The Dell disk will most likely refuse to launch because it would look for a dell marker. In any case you dont want dell drivers and apps launched or dell licensing components installed. So, no, dont do it.
Borrow a disk or locate an installer on the web.
Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.
You can try, but if it is a Dell OEM DVD it will be tied to the motherboard in the Dell computer, so it will more than likely throw a wobbly if you try and install to another non-Dell computer.
Do any of your friends have a Windows DVD you could use? Providing it's the same version your product key should let you activate it (you may have to use the automated telephone activation thingy).
Once you've installed and activated it you can then create a copy of the Windows DVD you borrowed along with a full system image of your Windows drive.
If its a modified windows 7 install DVD and not recovery disk you could try this. Make an ISO image and then delete the $OEM$ folder and ei.cfg file from the sources folder. The burn a new disk from the modified ISO file. The Dell branding and custom install etc is in the $OEM$ folder. If there is no sources folder its recovery media and useless for what you want to do.
Acer Empowering Technology > Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support - Answers, E-Mail, Chat - How can I restore my computer with the backup discs I created?
Manual how to use Acer eRecovery Management here:
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/empowering_technology/NB%20ET2%20user's%20guide/Acer%20eRecovery%20Management%20English.pdf
Have you tried pressing <Alt+F10> at boot up, to goto the Acer eRecovery Management.
Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for How to use Acer eRecovery
You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer
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