Acer Supported Operating System

I have an Acer Aspire 5002WLMi running Windows XP Home Edition SP2.

I had many problems with my laptop and Acer told me that it was a software issue and that I had to reinstall Windows. They told me the only operating system they support is Windows XP Home Edition that is on the Recovery CD.

What I did is copy the i386 folder and slipstreamed SP2 and added the OEM BIOS stuff that is missing from the CD. I use the same key that is included in the Recovery CD version.

Acer told me that they do not support this. They also said that if I ever have a software issue again and they find out its related to the operating system, they said they will charge me $200 CAD to reformat my HDD and put the factory default image in.

What I want to know is...why does it even matter? The files came from the Recovery CD, I am using the same Product Key, and I use the drivers that came on the CD. Why does Acer not support it? And how could they tell if I am using a "clean OEM" disk rather than recovery CD? I can easily change the OEMLOGO and OEMINFO in System Properties.

 

I am not sure of your question here.

You can format and install whatever you want on your Acer. You can put Windows XP, Vista, Linux, whatever.

The reinstall CD that came with your Acer is a recovery CD and not the full version of Windows XP SP2. You should be able to use it to restore (not neccesarily reformat/repartition) your hard drive.

If you have a non-OEM Windows XP disk + serial number, just use that.

 

What kind of problems are you having? Did you make a recovery DVD? AFAIK, the "factory default image" shouldn't bother you. What, that image has a recovery partition (Which you already have on the DVD in an img format - if you made the disk ). And you have windows - which you get if you use the recovery DVD. So, in that case, Acer is trying to rip you off. But, then again I don't the whole story beyond your issue so all these are assumptions. You might also be doing something that is not legal under Acer's terms and conditions.

 

To clarify this: Acer tells me they do not support the Windows XP Home Edition I installed on my computer because it was not installed by the recovery partition/cd. What I did was make an Acer OEM disk by taking the files from the recovery cd and use the license that came with it.

When I told them this they said they do not support what I did and that I have to use the Recovery CD when installing. If not then they charge me $200 to reinstall if I have another software conflict.

 

Hmmmmm... I don't see why Acer doesn't "support" it. I don't know what Acer has got to do with what OS you install on your notebook. IMO, that's BS. I'd just straight up lie and say that you used the recovery disc.

Now, about the conflict. First up, it's software conflict, which can most of the time be resolved by getting your hands on a clean XP disc - come on, you know it's not hard to get . Plus, they are charging you $200. You can get an original XP disc for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than that (sometimes you just have to ask around or plunge into eBay. Dunno if craigslist is there in Toronto/Ontario - you can use that too). Either way you save

 

If you need an OEM copy of home or pro let me know! There are several guides to turning a retail or restore copy of an OS into an OEM. I also have a copy of Home and Pro OEM so if you need a guide as far as what to do let me know.

--ssx--

 

HI. The 5672 I bought (not opened yet) came with XP Home. I am used to XP Pro. Any thoughts on pros and cons?

How can I get an OEM version of Pro? Let me know. Thanks

 

PM me for help converting / installing XP OEM versions of windows.

--ssx--

 

Oh I already know how to convert the recovery cd files into a clean OEM disk. I've been using that but Acer told me they don't support it.

 

Meh, that doesn't make any sense. If it did, that's pathetic. Hell, I might just buy a non-OEM copy of XP Home/XP Pro and make a re-installation guide myself. But as of now, I don't have the money to buy one