The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Operating system not found Acer laptop

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by RbtNYC123, Mar 7, 2012.

  1. RbtNYC123

    RbtNYC123 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hi. I have an Acer 3050 (I know, its an antique, but my son has been using it just for basics). We received an 'Operating system not found' error. I tested the hard drive externally and it was dead. I purchased a new hard drive, and tested it (tested fine). I installed it, and used the recovery disks, which seemed to install successfully. Upon reboot, the same problem occurs...no operating system. BIOS shows the new hard drive, and is instructed to boot from that first. I can boot successfully into Linux from an Ubuntu-imaged disk. Exploring the C: drive in Ubuntu shows all the Windows and Acer files installed, so the recovery process did its job. Any advice?
     
    RbtNYC123, Mar 7, 2012
    #1
  2. spacecowboy

    spacecowboy Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Have any of the settings for the HDD (if any) in the BIOS been changed?
     
    spacecowboy, Mar 7, 2012
    #2
  3. RbtNYC123

    RbtNYC123 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    No. No changes were made, but the new hard drive is showing in the BIOS.
     
    RbtNYC123, Mar 7, 2012
    #3
  4. RbtNYC123

    RbtNYC123 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    ...bump...
     
    RbtNYC123, Mar 8, 2012
    #4
  5. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,729
    Messages:
    8,722
    Likes Received:
    2,231
    Trophy Points:
    331
    For some reason it must have not been set to boot properly.
    Try to recover once more and if it doesn't help- just ignore the whole thing do a clean install and use the product key from the sticker on a notebook and drivers from Acer support.
     
    downloads, Mar 8, 2012
    #5
  6. RbtNYC123

    RbtNYC123 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks Downloads. I am using Vista Home Basics, from recovery disks that I made earlier.

    "do a clean install and use the product key from the sticker on a notebook"

    Please explain? Thanks again.
     
    RbtNYC123, Mar 8, 2012
    #6
  7. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,729
    Messages:
    8,722
    Likes Received:
    2,231
    Trophy Points:
    331
    Didn't this one come with Win XP?
     
    downloads, Mar 8, 2012
    #7
  8. RbtNYC123

    RbtNYC123 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Nope. Vista Home Basic. And Acer did NOT include and Operating System Disk. I had to create them.
     
    RbtNYC123, Mar 8, 2012
    #8
  9. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,729
    Messages:
    8,722
    Likes Received:
    2,231
    Trophy Points:
    331
    OK. Use any retail Vista DVD (all Vista DVDs were the same- just the product key mattered) and while installing type in the product key which is on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop.
    It may refuse to activate via Internet in which case you'll have to do it via phone.
    Last part would be to use drivers that are available at Acer Support site.
     
    downloads, Mar 8, 2012
    #9
  10. jimbob83

    jimbob83 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    503
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    If you need a Vista installation disc, you can download and make one through this link from Dell: Dell Community

    I know you have an Acer, but the Dell page specifically mentions that you can use the disc you create with a Dell or non-Dell OEM product key. Phone activation will be required.
     
    jimbob83, Mar 8, 2012
    #10