Windows 7: How to get Acer laptop to boot from CD?

I am trying to do a clean install on an Acer Aspire 5536 by booting from CD.



I already have Windows 7 Home installed. I am hoping to install Windows 7 Ultimate (which is what I have on CD).

I have the CD in the drive. I restart my computer and press delete 2 or 3 times before windows start-up and access "Windows Boot Manager". It allows me to choose what operating system I want to boot, only giving me the option of Windows 7 (the one I already have installed). This screen also allows me to access "Windows Memory Diagnostic.

How can I access the BIOS to boot from cd?

I have tried everything suggested online, but it leads me to the same screen.

It would really help to know which Acer model you have. Different models might have different procedures. Basically, you need to change the boot order in the BIOS so the computer boots from the CD/DVD optical drive as the first option. On some Acers you would do the following:

1 . Reboot or turn on your Acer computer.
2 . Immediately start clicking the "F2" key and keep clicking until you see the BIOS setup menu.
3 . Select (highlight) the "Boot" option in the BIOS setup menu using the left/right or up/down arrow keys on your keyboard and then press "Enter" to display the list of boot devices.
4 . Select a boot device, for instance the CD/DVD drive, with the arrow keys.
5 . Press "F6" repeatedly (or whatever key Acer says to use) to move the chosen device to the top of list. This will set the the new boot order on your Acer computer.
6 . Press the "F10" key (or whatever key Acer says to use) to save the changes to BIOS.

At this point your computer will still be on. Open the tray for the CD/DVD optical drive and leave it open. Turn the computer off. Now insert your Windows 7 Ultimate disk into the optical drive and close the tray. Power on the computer and watch the screen carefully. You should see a prompt to press any key to boot from the CD. You can click the spacebar for example and your computer should now boot from the Ultimate disk.

Or, you may get a prompt at startup to press a different key for a one time change to the boot order. If you get that kind of prompt, make sure your Ultimate disk in in the CD/DVD tray, press the appropriate key, select the CD/DVD optical drive, and follow any additional prmpts to boot from the Ultimate disk.

I stated the model in my original post:

Acer Aspire 5536

F2 still does not open BIOS. It does open Windows Boot Manager with no option of boot from CD.

My option in simply: Windows 7

My other available option from this screen is Windows Memory Diagnostic

Is there a reason I can't access a genuine BIOS page (?) or do I need to try a different key combo?

Tap the F12 key at boot to get a BOot Menu, choose the DVD drive to boot. You should get a prompt to "Press any key to boot disk." If not the DVD, burn or ISO is bad. Where did you get Windows 7?

However if you only want to upgrade from Premium to Ultimate there's a much easier method where you simply install the Product Key into Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to - Windows 7 Forums which unlocks the few extra features in minutes while keeping everything else in place.

Have you checked to be sure you need the few extra expensive features in Ultimate because you'll be giving up a $100+ value OS which came with your laptop: Compare Windows 7 Editions - Windows 7 Forums

I have used this disc for my desktop, it works perfectly.

Maybe my dvd drive in my laptop is bad? I should run some tests to see how well it is reading cds/dvds.

I can get into boot menu, but do not have a shown option of booting from CD.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, I really didn't plan on this being difficult at all (have done clean install before)



update: I loaded an audio cd in. It shows up on the computer (can see it) but when I double-click to open it says

Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.

(I am using admin account).

So this must be an issue with the drive?

Edit: nevermind, Itunes read the cd no problem.

The BOot menu you want is accessed on Acer from F12 at boot, not ESC. What happens when you tap that key at boot?

What about using the Anytime Upgrade recommended method?

Do you have a Product Key to activate Ultimate on the Acer?

This laptop came with windows pre-installed.

I am doing a clean install, because it is now my secondary computer and I have taken everything useful off of it. I want it to be running at max performance and cleanliness so I am just starting from scratch again (have all of the drivers I need).

So obviously, I'm not looking to upgrade, but to completely start over (reformat).

I don't even know if I have a product key.

The cd that my friend gave me (which I used for my desktop) didn't need a product key that I know of and it works fine.

Would the product key be one of the extremely worn numbers on the bottom of the laptop or would it be somewhere in the software?

There are no Windows 7 DVD's that don't need a Product Key. Your friend must be passing around a bootleg copy which is illegal and which we cannot support. He's not much of a friend if he would involve you in illegal piracy.

I'm taking it you are not aware of this fact, because if so the forums have a no-tolerance policy which will ban you swiftly without mercy. So how about we help you reinstall the licensed version so you aren't committing a crime?

There are no extra features in Ultimate that the vast majority of users need but if you've already determined from the chart that I provided that you need it then you'll have to buy a key first.

The legal Product Key for Windows 7 you already own is on the COA sticker on bottom so back it up now - you own it for life to reinstall any way you want. Follow the steps to get a perfect reinstall in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Okay, thank you very much. I was not aware that I was given an illegitimate copy, is there a way I can install the version that came with my laptop onto my desktop as well?

Thanks for the re-install information. I can barely see the key (incredibly worn), but it is still legible.

I will work at the re-install tonight and let you know how it goes tomorrow. If I'm not banned by then.

No you will not be banned since you were not aware of it and now understand it fully. But there can't be any discussion of illegal activity here.

Windows 7 is not free. There must be a paid-for license for each Windows 7 which comes with the PC or you buy retail.

If Windows 7 didn't come with your desktop you need to buy a copy, but if XP or Vista came with it you can buy Upgrade version for around $89. You can also buy Windows 8 which is only $40 for upgrade.

Follow the steps in the tutorial closely sticking with the tools and methods given and you will get and keep a perfect install.