New
#1
What happens to the OEM license?
My Vista came preinstalled. I've read every page on using the upgrade to do a clean install. I not only have to do some kind of install, I have to put in a new hard drive. Mine is on it's way out. I bought a WD 1TB black, to put it on. The system files are corrupt beyond repair. Believe me I've tried doing 3 in-place repairs with some CD's I borrowed from a friend. Now I'm told the reason the repair fails is because it wasn't done with the OEM version CD. I keep getting told I can't do a clean install of anything on a new hard drive because the OEM on the motherboard won't recognize the new license to activate it, that is unless I buy the full retail version. If I do the upgrade, what license do I use to register with?? And what about this crap about the motherboard???
I'm so confused my head is spinning. I no longer have the Acer eRecovery CD to roll it back to the factory settings. I did get the PQServices and the Data Partitions backed up to the hard drive but as files not an image backup.
I have used both Macrium Reflect and Acronis True Image for WD to try to back up the full HD to image but I can't get one that will verify. I don't know how to get into the hidden partition to retrieve the original version connected to the license.
All I want is a system that isn't going to croak on me. I really don't care if it's Vista or W7. Vista would obviously be cheaper since I have both stand alone versions of the service packs. But I need to get into the recovery partition to do a roll back to make a new recovery CD to use as a starter, and I don't know how to. Booting to Alt F10 doesn't do it. I've hit every F key on here and none of them open it. Will putting the PQServices on a CD work or would I just need the Acer folders? Or, would it have to be an image to do it?