boot manager missing and not able to reset factory default

[gregrocker]

Let us know if you'd actually like our help at some point.

This is the top site in the world for clean reinstalling Win7 which is a superior install to running Factory Recovery which has apparently failed after you brought it home fixed from the shop and inexplicably started running Factory Recovery again.

I have given you the steps Perfect Reinstall but there is no reply to any of our help other than to continue with the monologue.

This is an interactive forum. We give steps to take and expect a reply to those steps, discussing or asking questions about the specific step to make it clearer if needed. Once the step is tried and reported back, we may give additional steps.

 

[Ayesha0]

-continue with the monologue-lol , like I said before Ive never posted on tech forums before so, that little monologue was forppl to get what Ive done to the laptop I did apologise for going on, but yeah anyway.
This is the problem-
How can I do a clean install without the cd? I will definetely reply back tomorow or whenever I get the cd (I hope to God soon). I thought it was nice to thank everyone in the mean time because I didnt know when I could 'report' back, its not as easy as 'clean install'.
1- I need to know if it was entirly my fault, using eRecovry 3 hours after already been cleaned was not good...BUT IF THE LAPTOP had been fixed already , hardrives etc cleaned, me using eRecovery should not have messed up the laptop so soon...
BOOTMNGR missing, so soon after a complete wipe? Or was it that he never fixed it properly in the first place, Im not an engineer..But is it not possible the hardrives are faulty, he supposedly checked this first . No one answered me on this which was equally important (please bear in mind I've lost money and other things over a Laptop), maybe I blabbled on too much afterwards, but if anyone has an opinion please share. because I will be taking it back either tomorow or the day after.
2- How can I tell if its an illegal copy of windows? Im supposed to be ringing them up tomorrow to get my key, so if its illegal ( which I had no part it) won't I be the one in trouble. Im sure by now you all can tell how little I now about comps, which is why I came here, just advice me on the above 2 things and I will report back hopefully once I get the CD , which even then I have to wait . I have to take it back to the engineer and the other guys now telling me goig to need to plug it and test it for 4 days...
Is it even worth me getting money back this obviously faulty repair (which Ive been blaming myself for) OR shall I just wait and clean it myself/?

 

[gregrocker]

What was the exact reason you ran eRecovery when you got the laptop home from this "engineer" supposedly fixing it? What problems did it manifest?

If you can recover the Product Key from the COA sticker then I would strongly consider a clean reinstall using a Win7 installation DVD you borrow, or if necessary download after searching Official Win7 ISO downloads from My Digital Life." These steps explain how it is done: Reinstalling Windows 7

If you cannot recover the key then I would order the Factory Recovery Disks from Acer tech support. They may even ship them out free or for shipping costs only. I'd inquire about this when I call to recover the COA sticker key.

 

[Ayesha0]

Thanks greg you been a big help, I didnt get the cd today ufortunetly; hopefully tomorrow!
Ill try the steps u mentioned if i itget fixed , I hope to God its quicker than before.
I'll let you know if the steps worked, if they do hopefully it can help someonelse who has the same issue.

 

[gregrocker]

Your reference to "when I get the CD" throughout the thread was baffling because I didn't remember you telling us which disk was coming and when. So I just read back through the entire thread to see if I could find it and I don't see where you say what CD it is that is coming. Please explain.

We've also asked several times about this "engineer" with no response to whether he is at a repair shop, Acer, or just a friend.

Finally could you please look on the bottom of your laptop and see if there is a COA sticker with a readable Product Key. If so, you needn't worry about having a legitimate copy of Win7 as any retail installer (which fits on a DVD by the way) can use that key, and your factory Recovery Disks (which can be CD's or DVD's) will self-activate.

OK so there are three separate questions awaiting answers so we can help you better.

 

[Ayesha0]

I just spoke to acer, ...they basically just told me theres no way to fix my laptop unless Im willing to pay £50 for them to look at it or £55 for a new set of recovery disks as my ones are not working. Also the reason why bootmngr is missing is hardrive. The engineer basically installed a retail version of windows which is why it was asking me for a product key as it has never ONCE aske dme for one before. I never asked why he needed a product key and I now really regret it.

Your reference to "when I get the CD"
I was talking about a windows 7 cd which I was going to get from someone, which hasnt turned up .
We've also asked several times about this "engineer" with no response to whether he is at a repair shop, Acer, or just a friend.
The engineer is part of a small company of laptop repairs & computer parts etc, they do business with the engineer from my uncles company. I didnt go the engineer from my uncles company because he workshop was being re-modelled. My LCD screen had a large crack in it last year..They fixed it for £100 in an hour! So we had a good record with them. They agreed to see me as soon as i had this problem, the actual company people are not the problem its the engineer. Or maybe its my fault for not enquiring as to why the ***** he would need a product key- if windows is pre-installed already!
Finally could you please look on the bottom of your laptop and see if there is a COA sticker with a readable Product Key. If so, you needn't worry about having a legitimate copy of Win7 as any retail installer (which fits on a DVD by the way) can use that key, and your factory Recovery Disks (which can be CD's or DVD's) will self-activate.

Thanks lol, i know Ive come off as really stpid in these posts

The product key has worn off and Im sure I wrote it somewhere, but it doesnt matter. I just spoke to acer,
God knows how much that will now cost, hopefully not much.. They told me you dont need a product key if its pre-installed... The recceptionist called me about 2 hours in to the engineer 'repairing the LP' he asked for me to go home or go to the store to get my product key ..So this can not be my fault. Who told them to install a retail version of Win7! Now anyone can tell me if Im wrong, why phone me up halfway through and ask me to go home to get my product key...because I did not know a key was needed prior to this (because wins7 in pre-installed) I told him to just intsall a trial version or something to that effect. Or do something so he can find the product key I paid for 2 years ago, why could he not find it in the files somehwere in the system...If its my fault for telling him to install a trial so be it, but I didnt know any of this pre-installed crap becuase whenever Ive re-booted the system the key already activates itself..But I dont know why nobody mentioned this before. I was feeling really stupid for trying to re-boot as soon as I got home, I DID IT TO GET THE KEY BACK...Thanks greg though you did just mention it!
Ahh anyway I hope I naswered the q, theres bigger problems in the world but thanks for you support. Ill see the engineer see what he has to say and hopefully re boot the system correctly or if theres any way of salvaging as it seems hes installed a retail pack...!

 

[gregrocker]

You can reinstall Win7 to the laptop using a retail DVD with the Product Key on the COA sticker if it is readable or Acer replaces the sticker key upon your request.

Apparently your technician could not read the key which is why he installed a retail version which will allow 30 days for the Product Key to be provided. If you'd asked us we would have had you then contact Acer to try to retrieve the key from their records/

If the key is not retrievable then you'll need the Factory Recovery disks to run since they activate themselves as they reinstall Win7. Acer should provide them as well.

 

[mjf]

I'm not sure if this PC was within warranty when the "engineer" first touched it but I would suggest maybe the obvious to others:

Don't give big OEMs the chance to avoid their responsibilities during the warranty period by voiding your warranty. You may still have a battle getting them to do what is right.

 

[Ayesha0]

Hi, not sure if anyone is still interested in helping but I just spoke to the repair center, the one I took my LP to. I asked the receptionist if he could fix it for me again since i never told the engineer to install a retail pack. Now when I spoke to them on saturday the day I got it fixed he was happy to give me a refund. But today when I told him I tried to retrieve my product key by going into eRecovery, he said they will need to do a clean install. He was just being really weird, when all other times I have spoken to him he's been really cool and wanting to help. But as I mentioned today that I tried to get my key back he just closed up in the conversation and started talking with a really condesending tone ...as if i was just really stupid. I could of just lied ad said it was the engineer's fault, when technically it is. He should of told me he did A CLEAN INSTALL (which Greg mentioned above, thanks for that by the way) , had the engineer said that to me no way would I done this mistake.
Anyway sorry to blab on again, back to the point- the receptionist told me that the reason for the clean install, was because there was a corrupt file in the original back-up windows 7, that acer installed...which is why he than did a clean install and with a retail pack. I just wish he told me this before, if he did why on earth would i try retrieving my key from a retail pack?!

Don't give big OEMs the chance to avoid their responsibilities during the warranty period by voiding your warranty. You may still have a battle getting them to do what is right.

I paid extra 100 for my insurence, acer never did anything. They wanted me to send my 1 month old brand new laptop back to them, Im no computer whizz but even I knew it wasnt the charger wire that was the problem - it was the battery itself. This whole issue just comes down to acer wanting to make extra money any way they can . I still cant believe they cant help me out so now I'm stuck with the incompetent engineers, yes I appreciate the fact that they fixed it there and than and now regret saying anything because now apprently Ive lost the privalage of quick service , but shouldn't engineers tell you what theve done properly ?
Should I take it back to the engineer who installed the retail pack without telling me the original acer windows 7 was corrupt or shall I take a chance and just do a clea isntall myself?- Advice is very much appreciated you guys are really helpful thank you

 

[seavixen32]

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I just wish these computer manufacturers would take their responsibilities seriously.

Secondly, if it were me, I'd bite the bullet and carry out a clean install - this tutorial shows you how.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174907-clean-install-factory-coa-activation-key.html

 

[Ayesha0]

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I just wish these computer manufacturers would take their responsibilities seriously.

Secondly, if it were me, I'd bite the bullet and carry out a clean install - this tutorial shows you how.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174907-clean-install-factory-coa-activation-key.html

Thanks for that, Im now thinking i should get my money back. I asked my relative and they said its only £35, so just leave it..But I work hard so that 35 is worth something to me you know?
thanks for the tutorial though, the does lookliek a good optio since I dont trust t hese repair guys lol.

 

[seavixen32]

Whether it's £35 or £350 it's better in your pocket than someone else's so I think you're right in trtying to get it back.

As for your computer, you're the one that knows it best and if you can do the job yourself, there's only one person to blame.

When my computer went back for a third warranty repair I resorted to marking components with a small dab of paint to see what had been replaced and to prove whether what I was being told was indeed correct.

 

[mjf]

You were given extensive clean install instructions in post 21. I'm also still mystified why you didn't just dump the problem on ACER in the first place.

 

[Ayesha0]

Whether it's £35 or £350 it's better in your pocket than someone else's so I think you're right in trtying to get it back.

As for your computer, you're the one that knows it best and if you can do the job yourself, there's only one person to blame.

When my computer went back for a third warranty repair I resorted to marking components with a small dab of paint to see what had been replaced and to prove whether what I was being told was indeed correct.

lol too right, atleast I wont have anything to complain about if I clean it
myself . But its good that you atleast made use of warrenty unlike me, I'll never get that money back, but it wasn't me that paid for it was my mum. Which is a lil' bit worse, I cant imaging buying something so expensive for someone only for them to go and ruin it a while later.Anyway been paying for everything else myself so like you said only 1 blame to lol.
mjf I coudnt because my warenty ran out a few months ago. Lol believe me Ive tried getting acer to help. I mean even just a little bit..but I cant even get past the tech team to a supervisor . Doesnt matter now its all in the past ,so hopfully looking towards the future.
I hope to God I can get my laptop cleaned properly soon and get my product key free of charge!

 

[mjf]

but it wasn't me that paid for it was my mum. Which is a lil' bit worse, I cant imaging buying something so expensive for someone only for them to go and ruin it a while later.

The fact you recognize this says something good about you!
That balance between trust and caution...I don't think you ever stop learning.

 

[Ayesha0]

but it wasn't me that paid for it was my mum. Which is a lil' bit worse, I cant imaging buying something so expensive for someone only for them to go and ruin it a while later.

The fact you recognize this says something good about you!
That balance between trust and caution...I don't think you ever stop learning.

lol r u being sarcastic ? :shock:

 

[mjf]

but it wasn't me that paid for it was my mum. Which is a lil' bit worse, I cant imaging buying something so expensive for someone only for them to go and ruin it a while later.

The fact you recognize this says something good about you!
That balance between trust and caution...I don't think you ever stop learning.

lol r u being sarcastic ? :shock:

Absolutely not. It was definitely a sincere compliment that you cared about your mum's money!!!!!!!!!!
My free advice was that we all get bitten and learn from it. You'll get your PC working.

 

[Ayesha0]

lolz ok, thank you
I hope to God too..

 

[Ayesha0]

hi, Im back again. I wish I was here to post good news unfortunately not, so I will try my best to not to complain..I am aware this 70% my fault lol guess where the rest goes to to the repair guys and the manufactures Ive paid so much £'s to ! lol
OKwell I 'bit the bullet' lol and now its burning me!!!
I gave the laptop back to the laptop repair center- and they replaced my hard drive (they're still waiting to be paid £55...)...but than unfortunately installed a trial version of windows 7. I had to ring them myself to find my laptop had already been fixed for 3 days.
I was wandering if anyone could help me, honestly I know Ive taken a lot of advice from the kind people on here & I do give back so if anyone wants advice on Graphic programs or anything to do with art and design lol I can help in that department.
The repair guys are refusing to help me, I'm now considering legal action. Already spoken to my aunt, (she's a former barrister and now lawyer with her own business). If anyone disgrees and thinks its my fault , let me know. I agree I am at fault but these 'engineers' also play a part and they should be held legally accountable.
But I would like to know is, is there any way to get my original key back form my laptop. I phoned acer (4 x) microsoft (2x) and comets (3x). They can not help, which should of been obvious to me had I thought properly, how on earth can anyone expect a major retail store to track of millions of products keys lol! On the other hand - please someone tell me..WHY IS THE ONLY PLACE A PRODUCT KEY IS LOCATED IS ON THE BACK OF THE MACHINE WHERE THE STICKER FADES and not inside the battery where the serial number is also located...I have a copy of my serial number in 5 different places lol. I feel so silly I'll be a year older in a week so I have to look at the bright side of ..ehem..silliness?!!
Anyway Ive tried, magic been , keyfinder, product key, crawllicencce. They all give me some kind of default key. Nothing seems to be working and no one is helping lol! The engineer who works for my uncles company said to go and buy a new CD...I wasted £200 & I'm now been told to spend another £100+ LOL. I spent money on this ..lol there has to be someone who knows something. Ive asked 2 people i know of who might have a windows 7 cd, but its impossible on that as well...since you cant activate a product 2x.
...so if anyone know anyway for me to get my key back .
I've tried so many key finders but none of these work as these are all default keys.

 

[gregrocker]

Why won't Acer help you replace the faded key if you have the Serial Number?

Ask for a supervisor and tell them we are waiting to hear their response at the largest tech forum on the web.

We also had someone with a similar problem just report that MS had replaced their faded key: http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...tion-problem-after-reinstall.html#post1643039. Did you speak with Customer Service?