[GUIDE] Clean install of Windows 7 on Acer

Guide: Clean installation of Windows 7 on Acer, heavily edited by moderators

This guide explains how to do a clean installation of Windows 7 on an Acer computer that's been licensed to used it.
If your system originally came with Windows Vista, you need an Acer Upgrade Kit.
If your system originally came with Windows 7, use the key on the bottom of your machine.

The described method will work for ANY edition (Starter/Home/Pro/Ultimate) and for ANY architecture (32/64-bit) and ANY language, but only the version you are licensed for; no free upgrades here.

Step 1: Verify eligibility for Windows 7.
CONTENT REMOVED DUE TO PIRACY CONCERNS
Either you are licensed for Windows 7 by having a key on the bottom of your machine, or you have an Acer Upgrade kit. If you have neither, then you are not licensed for it, regardless of what's in your BIOS.

Step 2: Back-up factory images and personal files.
Since we will be reinstalling Windows you will lose all your files and ability to restore to factory condition, so it would be a wise thing to make back-ups.
A. Back-up factory images.
If you want to have restore DVDs then it should be a good time to create them now. You can do it via Acer eRecovery program. If you have a built-in or external DVD drive then simply burn them and if you do not then you can save DVD image to your hard drive. Follow these instructions.
B. Back-up personal files.
If you have files you would like to keep now it is time to save them to either a flash drive or an external hard drive.


Step 3: Preparing Windows 7 installation image.
Simply use the content in this topic to download and prepare your Windows 7 DVD or USB key. This will also remove the version restriction so the burned DVD or prepped USB key can be used to install any version of Windows 7 - you'll still need the right license key, of course.

Step 4: Setting up Windows 7 installation media.
See above.

Step 5. Installing Windows 7.
Now that you have your installation media created in Step 4 we can start the installation.
A. Booting from installation media
(skip this step if you know how to use boot menu)
A.A. Making sure you have F12 boot menu enabled in BIOS.
To do so turn on the computer and immediately start pressing F2 key until you get into BIOS setup. Navigating with arrow keys you should look around for "F12 Boot Menu" setting and make sure it is set to "Enabled". Once that is done press F10 to save settings and restart the computer.
A.B. Booting from media via F12 boot menu
After plugging in USB flash drive or inserting installation DVD in the drive turn on the computer and start pressing F12 immediately and wait for a menu to appear. Now select what you are booting from and press Enter. It should start booting into Windows installation.
If for some reason it fails to boot or your device is not listed in the boot menu, then press Ctl+Alt+Del to restart the computer and try again.
B. Actually installing Windows
B.A. Selecting edition.
When you are asked what Windows edition to install, select the one which you are entitled to (the edition your computer ships with). For example, my laptop came with Vista Home Premium so I'm installing Windows 7 Home Premium.
B.B. Entering product key.

Once you are asked for product key there are two ways you can go here. You can either use the OEM key on the bottom/side of your computer (if your computer came with Windows 7) or install using the key included with your Windows 7 Upgrade Kit.

The rest of the installation should be pretty intuitive. If you still need some help you can find many guides on the Internet (use google).

Step 6. Installing OEM certificate.
CONTENT REMOVED DUE TO PIRACY CONCERNS.

Step 7. Installing system drivers
Now that installation is finished and Windows is activated you can install the correct system drivers. You can get those at Acer Support website or by downloading them directly from component manufacturers.


Have fun!

Mod Note: ABR Method
It may be possible to do a clean install with the ABR(Activation Backup and Restore) method. Details are listed in this thread and you must use the Beta version of ABR(again, it may not work).

 

This should be stickied IMO

 

Nice. +1 rep

 

I already knew about this but the legal implications are grey to be published like this...
I hope you can remove the alternative link for the reasons above...

 

nice work indeed, being a bit lazy here but does anyone know if the upgrade that you order online can be used on non-Acer machines, i.e the CD key that you recieve along with the upgrade disk working on a non-Acer machine on a clean install? I'm guessing no...Only got my new Acer yesterday.

Cheers

 

Hi, OEM means that it is licenced to the PC/Laptop, as you are purchasing a upgrade to the OEM licence for a Acer it cannot be transfered, thus you cannot install it on a non-Acer machine. The OEM licence is fixed to the hardware.
Chris

 

Thanks very much! Got a brand new 1810TZ today and first thing I did was reformat and wondered why the S/N on the bottom didn't work... definately saved the day. Thanks again! Amazing, top of the google search and thread only started today...

 

Sharing the SLP license keys is a bit of a grey area (and I'm calling in another moderator for his opinion), but there is no way I'm allowing you to post torrent links for Windows 7 here on NBR.
If people really care to get them, they can make the effort and Google for them themselves.

 

Thank you for the guide

::Noob question alert::

I have one question, if i do this to make a clean install of windows 7 on my 1410(To remove all the bloatware and stuff I don't want or need) will it, in the end, be a valid windows install or will MS at some point(like on an update or service pack download) tell me I have a pirated/unactivated copy of windows 7?

 

No it won't because this is OEM Activation.
Anyway I hope TS will remove the site to link to SLIC Dump Toolkit.

 

Thank you for the answer, but i'd like to clarify something, did you mean:

"It won't be a valid installation and you'll get caught at some point"

or

"Microsoft wont be able to tell the difference between that and the original acer install because its an OEM Activation"

Btw. I'm implying that i'll substitute the windows home that comes with the acer for the same version on a clean install.


Sorry English is not my native language and I might have misunderstood your answer.

 

I mean the above.
Applies even if you install ultimate...

 

Can you please explain me what is so wrong with that alternative link? I just don't get it. It is the original thread where author of the program posts updates, etc, it also contains alternative links. I included it to give credit to the original author. SLIC Dump Toolkit is a read only program, so it can not do any modifications to the system.
Anyway, this link is not so important so I will just remove it. If there is anything else you think should be changed in my guide please let me know immediately.

OK, I don't want to be breaking forum rules here . Once you decide, please let if you are for or against sharing SLP keys on NBR so that I can edit it in my guide. Thanks.

 

To unlock other editions of windows 7 a retail untouched iso is needed? i mean, an upgrade disc home premium as an example, it only have home premium, no other edition locked?

 

Correct but there are other program hosted on that site that is the problem.
Just quote the author will be good enough.

 

Thanks for the very thorough guide!

 

The newest BIOS for 3810T on ACER support page is 1.10, but it says SLIC2.0
Is there a newer 3810T BIOS with SLIC2.1?

 

Hi, I have the same problem with a bios dated 09/07/09, uk date...
Chris

 

The BIOS on my M1202 is also SLIC 2.0 compliant and not 2.1. There is no other BIOS listed on the support page other than what I have (except one that is noted as being for Linux & FreeDOS).

I called Acer support this morning to try and get some sort of update on when my official Windows 7 upgrade kit might arrive. I mentioned to him that I read somewhere that the BIOS might not be compatible with the Windows 7 OEM license. The person I spoke with didn’t seem to want to take the time to even discuss it but did say that if the BIOS needed updated that it would occur when using the upgrade kit. I can only assume at this point that they may send a newer BIOS out with the upgrade kit. Maybe that is contributing to the delay in some of us getting our kits?

Whatever happened to the Windows 7 upgrade thread? It appears that it was deleted completely after being SPAMMED overnight.

 

I can`t install grub4DOS. This is what i get when trying.

 

Found the Intel VT enabled, SLIC 2.1 compliant BIOS (version 1.14) for 3810T here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/r5wmj6
Not sure if it works.

 

Try to do a Full format (NOT quick format) of you flash stick. Go to My Computer, righ click on USB stick disk and select "Format". Follow the screenshot:

It may take a little while and once it is gone try installing grub4dos again. If it still doesn't work then I suggest trying it with another USB stick.

 

To unlock other versions you need a Windows 7 Retail Ultimate. "Untouched" simply means that it should be literally untouched, because there are plenty of modified versions around that had been somehow tampered with.
I'm not 100% sure about HP upgrade disk to unlock other versions, but my guess would be that you can't. If i were you I'd just get the Ultimate Retail and unlock it.

I suppose you will have to wait until a new BIOS with SLIC 2.1 is released for your model. For now, you can still go ahead and re-install and then stick to 30-day trial period, which you can legally extend up to 120-days (there were instructions for this somewhere here on forums).
I personally think that SLIC 2.1 BIOS does exit for your model and simply hasn't been posted on Acer's site yet. If you want, you could do a little research (google) to find a tool that reads BIOS from the machine and dumps it into a file. Once you have that, simply go to any computer store that has 3810T with W7 pre-installed and extract BIOS from it. Then use an Acer BIOS upgrade tool, where you replace original BIOS .fd file with one you dumped and it should upgade your machine to newest BIOS! Do everything at your own risk though, there a chance you could brick your laptop.
UPDATE: Seems like someone already dumped the BIOS. See post above

If i were you I'd upgrade to that latest version listed for your model. It says "Linux & DOS" as it appears to be the only way to upgrade to that BIOS version. There is a README included with that BIOS upgrade. Follow it and get your BIOS upgraded! There are also many guides on how to upgrade BIOS from DOS.

 

I can install grab4dos on the 2GB stick, but not on the 8GB -which I just bought. Works just fine in all the other applications but grab4dos. Is this a good reason to take the stick back, and ask for another one ?

 

Did you format the drive like I said, tried it again and failed? Assuming you did, then yes, I guess you could ask for an exchange. Or you could use --skip-mbr-test option like it suggests in your screenshot. Just open the GUI installer and in Options where it says Extra type --skip-mbr-test and try again.

 

it works, thanks!

 

Although I did this myself, I don't think we're meant to be performing the upgrade this way. Those SLP keys are supposed to be used by OEMs.

Having a BIOS with a 2.1 SLIC in it does not necessarily mean your machine has a license for Windows 7. For instance, if you bought your PC with Vista before the free upgrade period started, then upgrading to Windows 7 using this method would not be legal, even if you have a 2.1 SLIC BIOS.

I'm fairly certain that our upgrade kits will have a standard upgrade key that will need to be activated online. Perhaps someone who received his kit can confirm, I could be wrong.

 

You are absolutely right. Not only that, but you are supposed to treasure all the bloatware you are being fed and whenever you experience a slightest glitch you are supposed to do a full system restore. I'm not even talking about being forced to use Windows in the first place.
The reason why manufacturers do not supply all those alternative clean upgrade options is because they are not cost effective. In those cases user is way more likely to mess something up and when that happens they would have to support him.

True. I'm not for piracy, however, condemning the end user to a defective-by-design Windows Vista operating system simply because they purchased their computer one week before the Windows 7 upgrade period is purely unethical and by all means is an inhumane act, which in every case should be reported to Human Rights Organization.

I'm fairly sure it is a unique OEM key (just like the one that comes on the OEM sticker) and it activates offline by checking your BIOS for a valid SLIC. I may be wrong though.

 

I have an Aspire 5940G which I have reinstalled Windows 7 as it's in german and I wanted it to be in English with no bloatware. I checked it was SLIC 2.1 and everything, obviously should havea license for Windows 7 as it was preinstalled, but on trying to run the license in the last step it kept coming up with an error.

Turns out it is a hell of a lot faster just to use the Windows 7 key on the bottom of the laptop and phone the Microsoft automated line and then it happily activates.

 

Correct. Also used the Acer upgrade DVD to install 7 on my HP. No retail version download needed as there is no difference in fact between oem/retail. Just remove your ei.cfg and go. Btw I did it just for educational purpose .

 

Thanks for the guide. Everything worked perfectly!!!!

 

Nice guide! thanks for sharing

 

Is this legal to do? I ordered an upgrade of Win7 for my Acer1410, and am tired of waiting on mentor media to deliver it.
Also, would it be legal for me to go for Win7 Ultimate 64 bit since they are probably sending me Win7 Home Premium 32 bit?

 

Bendawg, you would not be legally able to switch to Ultimate (as that is clearly not your free upgrade), but you should be able to go from 32-bit to 64-bit Home Premium.

 

How can I get the bios for my Acer Aspire 8930g? I checked and it said 2.0; so I went to Acer and idk which to download Dx.

 

You download and install the latest version they have. In your case it is v1.14.

 

Thanks ! <333

 

It says im still compatible for windows 7(used a microsoft checker thingy) so how would I go about installing that? It's burned on a disk atm, idk what to do now xd.

 

Bumppppppppppppppp

 

Hi, I've just performed a clean install of win7 from the Acer Upgrade disc and I'm on bios v1.13. I'm still not convinced of the legality of using a OEM key when it should be a upgrade one...
Chris

 

Hi, some more information here:

What is the different about an Upgrade License?

The upgrade license is available to user who has a previous qualifying Windows product and withes to upgrade to the current version. Because you are using the same product, you are generally rewarded by having a cheaper upgrade license then a full retail or OEM license. To use a Windows upgrade CD, you must have either a genuine previous version on accessible media such as a CD or DVD or have an existing installation. You must have a legal and licensed version of the previous version for the upgrade to also be legal. If you have an existing installation, all of your current settings and applications will usually stay intact unless there is an incompatibility.

The upgrade license is transferable, but the software must be removed from the previous machine and the new machine must also have a license for a qualifying product for the upgrade to be valid.

With the Vista upgrade licence is it Microsoft’s intention that you need to install and activate the qualifying product and then installing Vista from the previous version, thus doing an in place upgrade. However, there are workarounds available to allow a fresh installation without having to activate the qualifying product. These work arounds currently do not break the EULA.


And more:

OEM: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) license is a restricted version of Windows that included with a new computer. Manufacturers and vendors ship Windows with OEM license as it’s deeply discounted when compared with retail copy. OEM license has limitation that it can only perform a clean install or custom install, but not upgrade.
Since Windows Vista and including Windows 7, EULA of OEM license can only be installed on one computer, and is forever locked and bounded to the computer (motherboard) of which it’s installed. In Windows XP, OEM license can be installed on one computer at a time. OEM license is always the least expensive edition, but is available to OEMs only.

OEM license also has another variant called System Builder OEM license, which is also an OEM license with lesser discount, has all the same restrictions and limitations of OEM license. But System Builder OEM license may be available to general customer who purchased a new PC (or hardware) from a small system builder via retail store.

Hardware vendors perform OEM activation by associating the operating system to the firmware (basic input/output system, or BIOS) of the computer prior to shipping new PC to customer. So no additional actions are required by the user to activate Windows, except when user choose to activate Windows with COA (Certificate of Authenticity) product key, which normally pasted on the casing of the hardware, in the case of not installing Windows with OEM provided image.

Support for Windows with OEM license is provided by OEM or system builder, which is usually non-existent. So, end-users are virtually have to support their own.

I deduce that because we did not build our laptops, or be supplied with 'qualifying' hardware then technically we are not entitled to use a oem licence, correct me if I am wrong...
Chris

 

Hi, some more clarification:

OEM (System Builder)
As with the royalty OEM versions, your copy of Windows is locked to the PC on which it is installed and cannot be transferred to a PC, nor can the motherboard be upgraded.
Under the terms of its agreement with Microsoft, the OEM must use the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) to install Windows. When you first turn on the PC, you accept a license agreement with the OEM and with Microsoft. The OEM is required to provide support for your copy of Windows.
Activation of your new PC is required within 30 days. The product key should already have been entered as part of the OPK installation and activation should be automatic and transparent to you.
Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy of Windows 7 and install it on a new PC, that scenario is specifically prohibited by the license agreement, which requires that the software be installed using the OPK and then resold to a non-related third party. (Microsoft once allowed “hobbyists” to use OEM System Builder software to build their own PCs, but the company switched to a hard-line stance on this issue sometime after Vista shipped in early 2007.)
When you purchase a white-box PC from a system builder, the PC maker preinstalls the Windows version you purchased. The package you receive includes reinstallation media and a product key that is similar to a full packaged product but cannot be used for an in-place upgrade. You may or may not receive both 32-bit and 64-bit media. If you receive both types of media, you can switch from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows or vice versa by performing a custom reinstall using your product key.

I'm not wanting to undermine this thread as I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the differences between the retail, upgrade and OEM, SLP versions of Windows 7.
Chris

 

Thanks for this guide, it took a little while to get it going, but it all went perfectly, and except for a few silly driver issues the
machine is working exactly as it should, that is without all of the freakin' bloatware.

In the process I think that I gained a fascinating amount of insights on the Win 7 way of doing things. Now of to partition and install a dual-boot 64-bit version of Ubuntu.

sg

 

I have an ACER AX3810 desktop with Genuine windows vista home premium (OEM of course) installed.I have the SLIC 2.1 bios installed, by installing Windows 7 home premium with the procedure mentioned in this thread, will I be able to bypass an online validation in case it pops up during any future windows update ? or let's say I visit www.microsoft.com/genuine and click on "Validate Windows" ?


The reason why I am asking this is because so many people will use the same OEM SLP key to install a copy of Windows 7 on their ACER machines, will Microsoft ban the key in the future or something like that ?

Hope to see a reply soon.Thanks

 

It does not bypass activation -- it actually passes activation. It will activate offline (checks your BIOS, certificate and SLP key) so there is no need to go online to validate it.

These exact SLP keys are used in ALL Acer computers with W7 pre-installed and if Microsoft is to bann those keys millions of genuine Windows users will all of a sudden find their OS being counterfeit. In other words, there is no way Microsoft is banning those keys + there is no reason to.

 

Thanks OP for the very detailed and clear instructions.

I also am trying this on an AX3810 desktop. Everything goes smoothly until the last step (installing the ACRSYS cert using the command prompt)...then I get the following error:

"On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xBBA' to display the error text. Error 0xBBA'

Of course the certificate then doesn't install...

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

For those struggling to find a torrent: http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

Thats an ISO download link direct from Microsoft for burning your own install disk of W7 Home Premium X64. I'm downloading it now, don't know yet if the any eicfg removal utility works on it yet. Also don't try downloading via IE6, it can't cope with anything bigger then 2GB, the download is 3GB.

And thanks for the guide Prikolchick, can't see it being illegal if your actually entitled to W7 and use the version your supposed to but there's a thin like we need to be careful not to cross, i.e. using torrents for ISO's that were illegially ripped (copyrignt infringement) and using a version of W7 we're not entitled to, as long as we can check those boxes then I can't see anything in this thread which isn't okay.

 

chriscatt,

If you have reservations about doing this install, then don't do it. I used the guide to re-install something I already paid for.

 

Hi, I haven't and never will. I've used a legitimate key that came with my Acer upgrade disc. Of course MS will not bar any Acer System Builder OEM license keys, that is why these are popular amongst those who install 'illegitmate' OS's.They've no right to use them as they have been ripped from legimate manufacturer installations. Whenever has a private owner been able to use a volume licence key? Hey, but that is my opinion, obviously the mods don't seem to worry, perhaps they have already been in contact with Microsoft?

EDIT: In fact I've just found that MS have blocked OEM keys before http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/07/31/microsoft-blacklists-leaked-windows-7-oem-key

Chris

 

Okay thanks for your opinion, duly noted of course. But I simply don't want bloatware Acer installs so want to do it clean, my lappy qualified for the free Windows7 upgrade and was a factor in my decision to purchase so we'll have to agree to disagree. Moving on...

Tried the eicfg removal utility on the ISO downloaded direct from MS, works fine so should hopefully be able to burn a general install disk from that.