please don't laugh...

If you set HD first to boot in BIOS setup, you'll have to use the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to boot the DVD, which on Acer is normally F2

I have done the Startup Repair with a reboot between each one... I currently have a black screen with a white blinking cursor. I'm assuming it didn't fix it and will go onto the next step

Also, guys, IDE0 is listed as the first boot device. Haha
Clueless, but maybe not that clueless.

ok, maybe clueless. I did marked the partition with windows "active" and ran "Repair my computer"
It found a something to repair. I selected "repair and restart"
it restarted and I got the black screen that I am getting getting all to familiar with. It said something like:
Press any key to boot from CD/DVD.
when I didn't, it said: Error booting operating system
Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart
(this isn't verbatim because I don't remember perfectly)

Does this mean that it didn't repair? I'm currently rerunning "Startup repair"
Also, this time after hitting "Repair My Computer" it had (recovered) listed instead of "Windows 7" like before... am I on the right track?

Sounds like you have an installation there to repair. It will run many tests and fixes on it to try to get it started. Only if it tells you flat out it cannot repair it would I quit before 3 repairs w/reboots.

Have you marked it Active using Diskpart or booted Partition Wizard CD to confirm it is marked Active?

Do you have files you need to rescue as you can do that if they are still intact using the DVD at any time:

gregrocker said:

If not, copy out your files using this method and we will help you get installed properly: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93347-copy-paste-windows-recovery-console.html

sorry greg and mypcbroke,
I was replying without benefit of latest posts.

I marked it active via command prompt. And I was under the assumption I couldn't retreive files because Microsoft phone guy told me to do certain command (not sure what they were for, I think he heard the desperation in my voice)
if I remember correctly it was: clean, format fs=ntfs
does that mean anything to anyone?

Again, question: Will I be asked to "hit any key to load CD/DVD" after each repair/restart? because I feel like I'm going in circles. If it's repairing, I'll keep doing it, but I was assuming the pc would take action on its own (which it doesn't at the beginning)