Unable to install windows

[Psyko]

So, I'm trying to reinstall my Acer E300 -Mb72.
I am using a disk I used before on my Dell computer. It's a full version, RTM. I do have a valid key. Yet when I boot from the disk, after "Windows is copying files" and right before I get to choose Upgrade or custom install, a small popup hops up, telling me I do not have the drivers needed to install windows. I was like wtf? More specifically, it tells me I am missing the drivers for the CD/DVD drive, even though I just booted from it.

To give you a better view at it:
It's not really my computer, its a friends. I'm fixing it for him. He messed it up somehow and now it wont boot. It goes straight to the Windows screen that asks you what to do. I can choose between safe mode, start using latest working settings etc. None work. Safe mode does get to the login screen tho, but if you try to login it reboots.

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.


I asked this question on another forum. They said I should change SATA mode to IDE instead. I had one of those flashbacks about reading something about IDE mode, and that it was a bad idea. So here I am.

All help, anything that could lead me in the right direction, is greatly appreciated.

//psYko

 

[OpSysWiz]

Can you install from the original install disk?

 

[Psyko]

Elaborate. Neither one of us have an original disk. I haven't bought a single copy of Windows evar.

 

[torrentg]

Install from a USB key and you will be all set in no time. This will easily get around your bios setting that is causing the issue to begin with.

 

[zigzag3143]

So, I'm trying to reinstall my Acer E300 -Mb72.
I am using a disk I used before on my Dell computer. It's a full version, RTM. I do have a valid key. Yet when I boot from the disk, after "Windows is copying files" and right before I get to choose Upgrade or custom install, a small popup hops up, telling me I do not have the drivers needed to install windows. I was like wtf? More specifically, it tells me I am missing the drivers for the CD/DVD drive, even though I just booted from it.

To give you a better view at it:
It's not really my computer, its a friends. I'm fixing it for him. He messed it up somehow and now it wont boot. It goes straight to the Windows screen that asks you what to do. I can choose between safe mode, start using latest working settings etc. None work. Safe mode does get to the login screen tho, but if you try to login it reboots.

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.


I asked this question on another forum. They said I should change SATA mode to IDE instead. I had one of those flashbacks about reading something about IDE mode, and that it was a bad idea. So here I am.

All help, anything that could lead me in the right direction, is greatly appreciated.

//psYko

Hi and welcome

Do you have a USB stick of 3 or more gigs? if so you can make it boot-able and install from it. It will take far less time, no driver required. Search in tutorial section for installing from USB


Ken J+

 

[gregrocker]

Two ways to make the key:

Plug it in to Disk Management and format primary. Copy the folders into the root of the stick. Boot the stick using Boot Menu F-key; it will be listed under Hard Drives.

or download UltraISO trial version and write the ISO to stick using Bootable tab.

If this method of install fails, then you need to take a look at BIOS settings. ACHI is recommended if you have the latest BIOS update - check the manufacturer's Support Downloads page but you may need to search by S/N since that model doesn't show up anywhere.

 

[Psyko]

I got an external harddrive... That's about it. I do have two PSP memory sticks on 4GB, but if I can use the harddrive without formatting it that's my answer I guess.

So, can I use it?

While I'm at it, why would an USB drive work better than a disk? It's the same files :-/

 

[gregrocker]

We are finding many who can't boot DVD but can with flash drive.

You can try this: Plug your external in, go to Disk Management and shrink the main partition, create a new small primary partition to copy over the Win7 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.

 

[ccatlett1984]

the driver that its missing is probably related to the sata drive controller. download that driver to a usb drive (extract it, if its zipped) then boot into setup, you will be able to press a key (iirc its still F6) to install an additional storage driver, at that point choose the driver on the usb drive.

 

[Psyko]

I know... I just can't find the damn drivers anywhere.
@gregrocker: The thing is that it's Windows XP installed at the moment, which is unbootable. And if I got you right, you're talking about startup repairs from the Windows 7 boot.

The DVD boots just fine, it just prompts me for a driver. A driver I can't friggin find anywhere. I even checked on Acer's site for it.

 

[gregrocker]

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.

 

[Psyko]

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?

 

[gregrocker]

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/

 

[haxcid]

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.

 

[Psyko]

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.

 

[gregrocker]

@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.

So look on the tag and post the correct model number so we can find your SATA drivers for you

 

[belikexp]

So, I'm trying to reinstall my Acer E300 -Mb72.


//psYko

Acer E300? I did a search for that I get Acer E300 GPS. Would you recheck the model number?

 

[Psyko]

So, I'm trying to reinstall my Acer E300 -Mb72.


//psYko

Acer E300? I did a search for that I get Acer E300 GPS. Would you recheck the model number?

Sorry. The exact model is Acer Aspire E300 Mb72. Yes I am absolutely sure

 

[belikexp]

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.

 

[Psyko]

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

Acer Europe - Service & Support, Drivers & Utilities, Downloads


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.