Windows 7: Got A Virus, Did A Windows Reinstall, Now Have An Error Message

Thanks for the reply.

The issue is, if I have already tried to reinstall windows and the reinstall failed and the Product Key is not on the bottom of my computer (for some strange reason) then will I be able to find it on the computer once the reinstall works and I can get online to download a product key finder?



I have one of those stickers on the bottom of my computer but it doesn't have a product key on it. I don't even think it was rubbed off. I just don't think it's there.

Anyway, what do I do if I can't find the product key on the computer and I've already lost all of my info from my computer?

You have three ways.
1) You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

2) Use the key on the COA.

3) Buy a new key.

Since you are saying that you are not able to find/read the COA Key on your laptop, I would advise you to stick to ACER Recovery Disks to do the reinstall to preserve the OEM activation which was done off-line. The Acer Recovery disks will contain the necessary OEM-SLP key and the certificate required, will check the BIOS for the OEM SLIC and auto-activate.

If you do a reinstall with any other media, you will be required to use the COA Key and activate by phone. Without a COA Key, your Windows cannot be activated.

Contact ACER Support if you have problems installing with ACER Recovery Disks.

Some many problems so little time. I'm about to throw my computer against the wall (although I doubt that would fix anything )

Anyway, so I can't even get the DVD that I made with the Windows 7 to even load. It just keeps going to the same screens that it did before. I changed the boot order but that didn't seem to help. I'm at a loss right now. I'll try again.

If Windows 7 came preinstalled on your Acer then it must have a COA sticker on the machine to prove it is genuine WIndows. The sticker looks something like this:



It is not even legal for Acer to sell the computer without a COA sticker.

I would contact them to ask for help locating the COA, then ask them to provide Recovery Disks if it isnt' found.

If the disks you used completed then you may be able to start Windows 7 now by running Startup Repair.

Are you sure the ISO download completed? Did you burn DVD using the Windows 7 Download Tool provided? Have you set the DVD drive first to boot in BIOS setup? Are you prompted to "Press any key to boot DVD?"

If this fails, reboot and tap the F12 key vigorously every second to get a Boot Menu, select DVD drive.

If you cannot even load from a DVD despite the right boot order setting, then something is wrong with your BIOS settings. Go into the BIOS setup and see whether there is an option to reset the BIOS to default. If you found it, reset it to default and save the settings. Then try again.

Hello,
In regards to the sticker, I do have the sticker on the bottom but it doesn't have a product key on it. Maybe it rubbed off but it is not on there.

Okay I have another question (unrelated to the product key). This morning I realized something. In the BIOS settings there is a USB CD/DVD option and IDE CD\DVD Optiarc DVD RW AD-7580S. I am not certain but I am pretty sure that I did my reinstall booting from the USB CD/DVD option instead of the IDE CD/DVD Optiarc. I'm almost positive that's what I used because when I went back to change the boot order again after the reinstall, is when I noticed the IDE CD/DVD option.

Would this make a difference in how the reinstall went? Could that be causing the issue? Maybe if I reinstalled again (with the Acer cds) using that boot option, it would work? What do you guys think.

Also my SATA Mode is set to AHCI but my Hard drive and cd/dvd drive say IDE in front of them. Does that matter at all or is it completely unrelated?

Thanks guys!

It might be because my DVD drive is so hard to deal with. You have to shake the computer for it to work and start recognizing the CD/DVD and you have to turn the computer on its side to even get the drive to open.

I might try the Startup Repair.

The download of the ISO said it was complete. It took a minute but it said it was done. I used the link provided in this thread. I never did see the press any key to boot. I did try the F12 key at start up but maybe it was meant to be because I don't have the product key and so maybe using the Acer Cds is best for me.

You can try booting the DVD into System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair repeatedly. If DVD will not boot, write the ISO to flash stick and boot under USB, Removable or HD's on F12 menu at boot.

If no installation is found to repair I would try running Factory Recovery from the link I provided you earlier - try it several times to see if it will work.

If Factory Recov will not run then wipe the HD with Clean command before running the Recovery Disks again: Diskpart Clean Command
DISKPART At PC Startup

If install fails again, post back or google the verbatim error text to find out how others solved it.

I would also call Acer Tech Support and ask them why you have no COA sticker. They need to answer this even if you are not within the one-year free Tech Support coverage. If you are, then they should help you with Recovery as well.

If Acer preinstalled Windows and failed to provide a COA sticker on machine (back or side of tower, bottom of laptop) then they need to make it good or be reported to MS Customer Service for possibly selling bootleg Windows. Tell them you are being asked about this in a Windows 7 forums. Be polite but firm - ask for their manager if your inquiry is brushed off.

You can also ask them for a new set of disks.