Installing Window 7

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Nobody has reported a BIOS lock blocking Win7 install on that model, or any Acer.

Call MS first.

The troubleshooting checklist posted in #24 and #25 could possibly resolve the DMI issue if MS doesn't have a better suggestion. I would try resetting BIOS to default step at least.

I would also post this exact error message and your model in the Hardware forum asking for help from Hardware specialists.

If you dont' want to go through those troubleshooting steps in #24/25 then you can also call Acer after MS and ask for their help in resolving the issue. DO NOT TELL THEM YOU ARE TRYING TO RUN WINDOWS 7, as it can void your tech support (but not hardware warranty). Just tell them the error. If they have a note in your SN that you have possibly installed Win7, tell them you were only asking about it and have the old Vista on there. They might then walk you through the fix, but they might also walk you through reinstalling the Vista recovery bloat.

If they are unable to resolve the error then you can also tell them you would like to be able to put Win7 on that machine and ask directly if there is any BIOS or other setting blocking it, and that you would like to have those removed.

When you put the Vista back on yesterday, was it with factory recovery disks? How did it run?
 
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Yeah i made a recovery disks when i bought the computer, i dunno the phone number of acer
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows Vista4 GBAti 4350
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows Vista
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Ati 4350
Screen Resolution
1280x960
yeah i made a recovery disks when i bought the computer, i dunno the phone number of acer


1-800-816-2237

u just need the Serial Number off the box

I talked to them twice last month doing a Vista clean install for my roomie. They said they wouldn't support it using a clean OEM disk but were nice about it. When I had a reinstall issue later that I needed their advice on (I always call) I didn't tell them I had used a clean OEM copy of Vista so they thought I had used their bloatware disks.

Just stop short of telling them you have Win7 on there now and ask them if they are somehow blocking Win7 install if you want to put it on yourself, that you understand they don't support it and will put their Vista recovery disks back on if you need hardware support.

But first I would have them troubleshoot the error message as tho Vista is on there, so you can get it supported/solved. They may fix some BIOS or hardware issues that will free it up. If it slips you have Win7 on there, just act confused like you had tried it and thought you had taken it off.

Be real nice and say how much you appreciate their help. Sometimes I call back until I get a nice person who will help me. Happens all the time.
 
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...As long as you have your files backed up and Vista recovery disk to fall back on, I would boot from the Win7 disk, choose Custom install>Advanced tools>delete ALL partitions> Create one big new one>Format it then install. Here is the tutorial again: Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

...So do the clean install using the tutorial above. Use Custom install choice with Advanced Tools to delete all partitions, Create one big new one (so that Win7 doesn't install it's own 100mb system-reserved partition which no one wants), then Format and install.

Greg, your link goes to the thread, not the tutorial.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 Corsair Vengeance CL8 1.5vSapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X OC 1GB DDR5
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
76~2.0
OS
Windows 7 Ult x64 - SP1/ Windows 8 Pro x64
CPU
Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-Z77X UD3H, f18
Memory
8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 Corsair Vengeance CL8 1.5v
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X OC 1GB DDR5
Sound Card
Onboard VIA VT2021
Monitor(s) Displays
22" LCD Dell
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Samsung 840Pro 128GB SSD,
Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32MB cache, Seagate Barracuda 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32MB cache,
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Cooler Master Storm Scout
Cooling
Corsair H80 2x12cm Noctua NF P12 , 2x14cm case fans
Keyboard
Logitech Wave
Mouse
CM Sentinel
Internet Speed
Dismal
Antivirus
Avast
Browser
Opera Next
Other Info
Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
Desktop: eSATA ports,
External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
External WD USB 500GB
Hi,

Elite darkness,

Try making sure the partition you are installing 7 onto is marked Active.

Remove any external devices.

Yeah i made a recovery disks when i bought the computer, i dunno the phone number of acer
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    7 X64i5 84002x8gb 3200mhz
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7 X64
    CPU
    i5 8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Hard Drives
    various
    PSU
    pure power 11 400w cm
    Case
    Coolermaster
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • At a glance

    7x64g54008gb ddr4 2400
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    OS
    7x64
    CPU
    g5400
    Motherboard
    ga b365m ds3h
    Memory
    8gb ddr4 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450w
...As long as you have your files backed up and Vista recovery disk to fall back on, I would boot from the Win7 disk, choose Custom install>Advanced tools>delete ALL partitions> Create one big new one>Format it then install. Here is the tutorial again: Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

...So do the clean install using the tutorial above. Use Custom install choice with Advanced Tools to delete all partitions, Create one big new one (so that Win7 doesn't install it's own 100mb system-reserved partition which no one wants), then Format and install.

Greg, your link goes to the thread, not the tutorial.

Thanks man, I changed it in my favorites: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html
 
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