Reformat gone bad - please help

AddRAM said:

Yes, I`m dying to know why his upgrade disc doesn`t work ???

What I want to know is, will his activation key from his upgrade media ( if it actually is an upgrade disc ) work on a clean install done with a separate dvd or by flash drive.

Can someone give me a for sure answer on that.

But he used the term Acer only upgrade disc and now that he`s wiped the drive, the disc will no longer work, which was mentioned way back in what now seems to be an eternity ago.

And if indeed that`s the case and he wants to have a fully legal and activated computer, he will be putting Vista back on it. Which he probably doesn`t have a dvd for either.

YES, the activation key will work on a clean install.

Same solutions as before:

Which Network Adapters are installed in Device Manager? Are they in error? Install any which are missing from the Acer Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Since you prefer wireless, check that the wireless button is turned on with its LED lit.

What is the status of the five-bar connection icon in bottom right System tray? Click on it to see if it shows networks, choose yours and connect. If not rightclick to Troubleshoot, report back the exact problem found.

If this fails plug in by wire, watch for wired TV screen icon in System Tray. What is its status? Again run Troubleshooter to see what it reports.

If these fail, right click icon to choose Network and Sharing Center, on left bar choose Change Network Adapter settings, right click each to Diagnose. Disable one to try connecting again with the other.

Report back on each step, with screenshots if necessary so we can see what you're seeing.
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1) I do have a Windows 7 disk with drivers on it, but when prompted by the upgrade wizard there is no option for my pc's model number. So, I installed the drivers that I got from the Acer support site (all that were available) and still I was not able to reconnect to the internet.

2) How would I go about manually installing Windows updates without an internet connection?

Slartybart said:

I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd sneak in early to post, looks like arayof1 figured it out - good job.

You were only a few minutes away form installing with the Acer Win7 Upgrade disc when you asked the boot order question. After that you decided to follow the lead of another member.

I'm really glad you decided to return to the path you were on and used the Acer Upgrade disc along with the tutorial. I'm really, really glad that you got to the end of the install, phew!!!!

You now have a legal Win7 OS on your machine (not a torrent download used in the 1st install on this thread), but there's still some work to do.

1) install network drivers (Ethernet & Wireless)
You have them on flash or the external drive, so you do NOT have to download them
I didn't see where you posted that you installed them, so that could be the reason you don't have connectivity.

2) Windows Update until nothing is offered by Windows Update (WU)
It's easier I think if you run WU manually
This is crucial to do before worrying about anything else (except getting to the network)

Kudos to you, arayof1 for your sheer determination and perseverance under some fairly alien conditions. Lots of new terms, new tools, new tasks, new people... I remember the first time I followed the tutorial - it just seemed weird, things I never had done before. It was cool too because everything was well described (to an old techie).

Get some sleep young man. I have to take my wife to work.

Bill

Nope, having the HD 3rd in the boot order would not affect your network connection.

You need to get online.

Please follow and report back on each step I just wrote out for you above.

These steps work in almost every case. If not we will have other steps and can bring in networking experts to help.

"How would I go about manually installing Windows updates without an internet connection? "

arayfo1,
How did you get online to post all these requests without internet connection?
Who are the ISP's in your area?
THW

arayfo1 said:

1) I do have a Windows 7 disk with drivers on it, but when prompted by the upgrade wizard there is no option for my pc's model number. So, I installed the drivers that I got from the Acer support site (all that were available) and still I was not able to reconnect to the internet.

2) How would I go about manually installing Windows updates without an internet connection?

Slartybart said:

I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd sneak in early to post, looks like arayof1 figured it out - good job.

You were only a few minutes away form installing with the Acer Win7 Upgrade disc when you asked the boot order question. After that you decided to follow the lead of another member.

I'm really glad you decided to return to the path you were on and used the Acer Upgrade disc along with the tutorial. I'm really, really glad that you got to the end of the install, phew!!!!

You now have a legal Win7 OS on your machine (not a torrent download used in the 1st install on this thread), but there's still some work to do.

1) install network drivers (Ethernet & Wireless)
You have them on flash or the external drive, so you do NOT have to download them
I didn't see where you posted that you installed them, so that could be the reason you don't have connectivity.

2) Windows Update until nothing is offered by Windows Update (WU)
It's easier I think if you run WU manually
This is crucial to do before worrying about anything else (except getting to the network)

Kudos to you, arayof1 for your sheer determination and perseverance under some fairly alien conditions. Lots of new terms, new tools, new tasks, new people... I remember the first time I followed the tutorial - it just seemed weird, things I never had done before. It was cool too because everything was well described (to an old techie).

Get some sleep young man. I have to take my wife to work.

Bill

Nope, having the HD 3rd in the boot order would not affect your network connection.

Network adapters installed are:

Marvell Ethernet
Microsoft Isatap Adapter
Microsoft Isatap Adapter #2
Realtek Wireless Device
and about 8 different adapters which begin with WAN Miniport

Neither of the network adapters are in error.

I know this may seem obvious to you, but how would I know which adapters are 'missing' ???

Also probably obvious to you, but I'm not familiar with the terminology; where would I find the wireless button?

The status of the five bar icon in system tray reads "unidentified network - no internet access"

Whenever I was installing Windows I was prompted to connect to the internet by entering the pass key to my wifi network. I entered my pass key several times but each time it has failed to connect. Whenever I troubleshoot the five bar icon it prompts me to investigate modem/router, which I'm sure is because my pass key is not being accepted. I know the pass key is correct, because I created it and posted stickers all over the place with the number on it. I've also connected to the wifi network with my mobile phone and it connected without any problems.

I've tried plugging in by ethernet, but still no connection. I'll have to report back later about the status. My parents are watching the play-offs and if I disconnect the ethernet cable now it will mess up their Tivo.

//If these fail, right click icon to choose Network and Sharing Center, on left bar choose Change Network Adapter settings, right click each to Diagnose. Disable one to try connecting again with the other.//

I disabled local area connection and diagnosed the wireless network connection. I was prompted to investigate router. Again, I'll have to report back later about the status of the ethernet diagnosis.

As soon as my phone charges I can get you a screenshot of my network adapters if you think that woulld be helpful.

We did have our cable company come out about a month ago and install Tivo. He installed some kind of internet device which is connected to our router, for netflix and whatnot. He also went up the pole and installed some kind of filter for the tivo. Also, and I don't know if this should make a difference, I have the pc sitting here right next to the router and other pc (pc that is connected). In other words, the pc was in my bedroom before and now I have it sitting next to me on a coffee table for convenience.

gregrocker said:

Same solutions as before:

Which Network Adapters are installed in Device Manager? Are they in error? Install any which are missing from the Acer Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Since you prefer wireless, check that the wireless button is turned on with its LED lit.

What is the status of the five-bar connection icon in bottom right System tray? Click on it to see if it shows networks, choose yours and connect. If not rightclick to Troubleshoot, report back the exact problem found.

If this fails plug in by wire, watch for wired TV screen icon in System Tray. What is its status? Again run Troubleshooter to see what it reports.

If these fail, right click icon to choose Network and Sharing Center, on left bar choose Change Network Adapter settings, right click each to Diagnose. Disable one to try connecting again with the other.

Report back on each step, with screenshots if necessary so we can see what you're seeing.
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista and Windows 7
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LAN_Marvell_v.11.10.6.3._Win7x86x64

I opened the folder, clicked the setup icon and followed the download prompts. Clicked Finish.

I think we're on the same page.

Slartybart said:

Forget about the discs for now
- you already installed Windows.
If you mean another disc, forget about that one too, it's probably a Vista disc.

The drivers from Acer are in compressed files like this one for the Ethernet card (Marvell LAN)
Lan_Marvell_11.10.6.3_W7x86W7x64_A.zip

Please type the filename of the Marvell Lan driver you downloaded in your reply. If you got the right one, Can you help me understand what you did to install a driver?

You can't manually install Windows Updates (WU) without an internet connection.
I think I confused you there.

1st priority: get the connection working, then you can get the Windows Updates (WU).
Better?

arayfo1 said:

1) I do have a Windows 7 disk with drivers on it, but when prompted by the upgrade wizard there is no option for my pc's model number.

So, I installed the drivers that I got from the Acer support site (all that were available) and still I was not able to reconnect to the internet.

2) How would I go about manually installing Windows updates without an internet connection?

Being prompted for wireless key during install means the installer provided that driver. That you have working Ethernet and Wireless adapters which are not in error means that drivers are installed.

Look for the wireless button on the top or side of the laptop, or it can be a hotkey like F3 on some Acers. It should light an LED, switch may be near that. If we had your model number we could google it for you, or you can do it yourself.

But it sounds like you are connected to Unidentified Network. I would left click on SysTray connection icon to disconnect from that network and choose your own. Are networks listed?

Unplug modem and router for one minute, start Modem, then a minute later start router.

If this fails disable Wireless adapter and connect by wire, repeat the troubleshooting steps. The same issue should not occur for wired Ethernet connection unless the router is faulty. Plug the wire into the modem to see.

You can troubleshoot these on the phone with your provider which is included in your bill. But they will likely want you to bypass the router if they didn't provide it. Is it under warranty? If so you can call their tech support to have them help you.