Do you want to recover XP right now - boot from the Xp CD and run Repair install, not the first "R" given but after it discovers the installation it will offer it again.
Or do you want to install Win7? Google your model to find mobo, then google mobo + sata driver and track it down.
You need to check your model's Support Downloads page for BIOS update. Tap F-key given at bootup to enter Setup and look for BIOS version to see if you need an update.
ehrm... I have no idea what mobo is in there and hardware isn't my thing. Now, again. Can I use my external harddrive to install windows?
We can't help you find your SATA drivers without a legit model number. The Acer model given in OP isn't found anywhere, and your Specs show a Dell.
You can Google them tho with correct model number, or by finding your mobo first using that model number and then googling the mobo SATA drivers. Google is your friend.
Boot from External: Plug your external in, go to Disk Management and shrink the main partition, create a new small primary partition to copy over the Windows 7 files. There should be seven folders there in the root. Now reboot and try to boot from external tapping F-key Boot Menu shortcut given on first bootup screen. The external will be listed under Hard drives.
The problem with this can be that you need a boot manager to boot to or access the partition you want in the external. So you can also try formatting primary the entire external and loading in the Win7 files to boot, but you need to move your data off the external first.
Once you find the actual model number you also need to check the Acer Support Downloads page for BIOS update here: http://gd.panam.acer.com/home/
Sounds like a bad CD/DVD drive to me. Not uncommon with laptops.
2 different operating systems, 3 different disks... none work right.
You can install from a flash drive or you can try and external CD/DVD drive and see if that works.
So what should I do? One unbootable XP, one non-working XP disk and a Windows 7 disk that's perfectly fine except it wont install.
The CD drive is working properly. I booted a mini XP and looked for the drivers. No success really.
@gregrocker: I already stated that it's my friends computer. Not mine. I'm going to try fetching a flash drive that I can use. I'll bump when I know.
Acer Europe - Service & Support, Drivers & Utilities, Downloads, Desktop, Acer Aspire E300
Is this your model?Acer Aspire E300
Funny thing is E300 doesnt show up? I see E360 or E380 no E300
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/downloads_gd.html
Didn't mean to hijack the thread. Just helping out. :)
You're not hijacking it. Well yes, I've already checked the download page. Can't find any drivers I need. Nor the sata or the cd drive.Acer Europe - Service & Support, Drivers & Utilities, Downloads, Desktop, Acer Aspire E300
Is this your model?
Funny thing is E300 doesnt show up? I see E360 or E380 no E300
Acer Europe - Service & Support, Drivers & Utilities, Downloads
Didn't mean to hijack the thread. Just helping out. :)
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