Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
So far I've been trying, with no luck, to get my ALT-F10 function to work during POST so that I can use all of the functions of eRecovery properly (right now I can only create a restore and application CD but cannot create my own snapshot or recover from the PQSERVICE partition).
I've found that I have to re-create the MBR in order for my computer to recognize the key map sequence ALT-F10; using MBRwrWin and rtmbr.bin in DOS (however, I can only find MBRwrWin on my computer). In order to do this, however, I need to make my PQSERVICE partition searchable so that I can retrieve the file rtmbr.bin and move it to the same location as MBRwrWin on my harddrive, etc. and then I'll (hopefully) be able to re-create the MBR; and then set the partition (all partitions really) back to the way they should be "out-of-the-box."
My first question is this:
1) Does anyone know how to do this, and can help me out? I would like to bring my computer back to the way it was when I first got it, but don't know how to do it, also ...
2) My ACER and ACERDATA partitions had to be re-created using GPARTED; and thus they might have the wrong flags (like 0h, 12b, or whatever ... I just recently found out some of the real flags associated with partitions), can someone help me out with this as well?
My second question is completely different:
1) Should I completely format my hard drive (erasing the PQSERVICE, ACER, and ACERDATA partitions) and do a clean install of XP (I have my own CD for this) and forget about making my computer the same way it was out-of-the-box?
2) I already made my recovery and application CDs from Acer, so that in theory I can restore my computer without needing the PQSERVICE partition at all, but ...
3) Do those CDs work properly if I erase ALL of the factory-default partitions?
4)Also, what is the benefit of having a clean install (and some of the problems)?
5) Does this affect the re-sale value of my laptop because it's not perfect like the factory default machine that you can pick-up from the store?
Thanks in advance for the help!
P.S. When I contacted Acer in order to get their help with getting ALT-F10 to work, they simply told me that the PQSERVICE partition was corrupted and that there was nothing that I can do. However, I used GPARTED and temporarily set PQSERVICE as my primary partition and booted off of it ... and I could recover my computer this way (although I did not try it, I just wanted to make sure that it still works). Is it possible to get ALT-F10 working properly if I recover my system through this process rather than through the CDs (like the partition has some tools and tricks that it automatically does which are not available on the CDs?
P.P.S. Although I am grateful for any and all help, I am not advanced when it comes to many thing about a computer and although I am willing to learn and try, please dumb down the technical answers (or please explain them fully). Thanks again!
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Yup, it's ALT-F10; says so right in my BIOS (thanks for the help though).
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awwww...crud...was hoping it might be something really simple. someone who knows the Acer stuff really well will be around soon I'm sure. Sorry I could not offer more help...
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Has anyone completely formatted their laptops (getting rid of the PQSERVICE, ACER, and ACERDATA partitions) and performed a clean install of XP? I just need to know some facts/opinions/warnings, etc. ...
Please help ...
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Yes Mattkaz,I did it.
I completely formatted my laptop and didn't even know about PQSERVICE and my back up DVD is not working.
Imagine that situation and you'll see you are in great position ,you got your cd's that can restore your lappy to factory settings any time and I still dream about eRecovery,Acer Arcade...
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So far I've been trying, with no luck, to get my ALT-F10 function to work during POST so that I can use all of the functions of eRecovery properly (right now I can only create a restore and application CD but cannot create my own snapshot or recover from the PQSERVICE partition).
I've found that I have to “re-create the MBR” in order for my computer to recognize the key map sequence ALT-F10; using MBRwrWin and rtmbr.bin in DOS (however, I can only find MBRwrWin on my computer). In order to do this, however, I need to make my PQSERVICE partition “searchable” so that I can “retrieve” the file rtmbr.bin and move it to the same location as MBRwrWin on my harddrive, etc. and then I'll (hopefully) be able to “re-create” the MBR; and then set the partition (all partitions really) back to the way they should be "out-of-the-box."
My first question is this:
1) Does anyone know how to do this, and can help me out? I would like to bring my computer back to the way it was when I first got it, but don't know how to do it, also ...
This can be easily done now
2) My ACER and ACERDATA partitions had to be “re-created” using GPARTED; and thus they might have the wrong “flags” (like 0h, 12b, or whatever ... I just recently found out some of the “real” flags associated with partitions), can someone help me out with this as well?
these are the settings i have
Logical Disk (*)
Logical Disk (*)
Volume letter:
(*)
Volume label:
PQSERVICE
Type:
Primary
File system:
FAT32
Sectors per boot:
32
Sectors per cluster:
8
Partition ID:0x12 Compaq
Total size:
4.8 GB
Used space:
4.5 GB
Free space:
290.9 MB
Activity:
Inactive
Hidden state:
Hidden
Logical Disk (C
Logical Disk (C
Volume letter:
(C
Volume label:
ACER
Type:
Primary
File system:
FAT32
Sectors per boot:
32
Sectors per cluster:
64
Partition ID:0x0B FAT32
Total size:
48.8 GB
Used space:
9.9 GB
Free space:
38.9 GB
Activity:
Active
Hidden state:
Not hidden
Logical Disk (D
Logical Disk (D
Volume letter:
(D
Volume label:
ACERDATA
Type:
Primary
File system:
FAT32
Sectors per boot:
32
Sectors per cluster:
32
Partition ID:0x0C FAT32 LBA
Total size:
58 GB
Used space:
11.1 GB
Free space:
46.8 GB
Activity:
Inactive
Hidden state:
Not hidden
My second question is completely different:
1) Should I completely format my hard drive (erasing the PQSERVICE, ACER, and ACERDATA partitions) and do a “clean” install of XP (I have my own CD for this) and forget about making my computer the same way it was “out-of-the-box?”
Is looseing 4gb gonna make that much difference ?
2) I already made my recovery and application CDs from Acer, so that in theory I can restore my computer without needing the PQSERVICE partition at all, but ...
Installing from a pqservice partition is done 1/10th of the time then from cd/dvd
3) Do those CDs work properly if I erase ALL of the factory-default partitions?
Usually but if you scratch them it will cost 50 bucks to get it sorted
4)Also, what is the benefit of having a clean install (and some of the problems)?
Its a case that some people say its faster and they prefer thier machine a certain way
5) Does this affect the “re-sale” value of my laptop because it's not “perfect” like the factory default machine that you can pick-up from the store?
I wouldnt think so but resetting it to a factory default helps
Thanks in advance for the help!
Re-create the MBR or Clean Install XP (can't make up my mind, PLEASE HELP)
Discussion in 'Acer' started by Mattkaz629, Feb 24, 2007.
