Reconfiguring OS/setup/etc. on new travelmate didnt work!?

Hi all

I just bought an Acer Travelmate 5614. I have read through all of the threads on this site to try and rectify my problem but haven't had much success so far...

I am trying to setup my notebook so that its partitioned into 3 partitions (C - windows, D - programs, E - other) and want it set to NTFS. Also was trying to avoid using the erecovery cd's cos it automatically install Norton Antivirus (no choice - what a joke!). I tried using my other copy of XP Home and using the CD Key on the bottom of the laptop. Booted from the CD and setup partitions etc. then installed. Everything went fine and then when it loaded windows it came to the user login screen and said that i needed to activate windows before i could login! tried skipping it - no good. tried activating and it just froze.

I spoke to Acer and they said that only windows XP from the erecovery would work on this system.

Decided to just use the recovery cd, hoping that the partitions would remain there and that the C: would still be in NTFS. Everything installed and the patitions were still there, however the C: was back in FAT32!

How can i get around this? suggestions would be muchly appreciated...

 

NOT TRUE AT ALL!!!! Maybe they mean you can only use serial key for there XP. But you are allow to install any OS as you please. The key on the bottom of your notebook might not be the key that is used. Download http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Bel...or/belarc.html You will see a differ key under your OS. Try that one.

After eRecovery,

Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.

TYPE: convert c: /fs:ntfs You can change drive letter after you create other partitions.

NOTE: it will ask for your disks Volume label (keep in mind)

Computer will reset and it's DONE. C drive is now NTFS


As to set up partitions...... USE Gparted Live CD
Heres the link ... http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php

 

very VERY true lifer on that previous post! Acer will only "support" their reinstalled copy of windows however that key is specifically for that purpose on the bottom of that laptop! I'm running xp pro corp and I didn't have problems and I've installed windows xp media center edition 2005 via VM Ware, and it had no problems with that either, it just comes down to what you use and how you configure it.

 

Bloody Awesome LIVEFRMNYC!! it worked... that tool was great! I think it changed the time in my BIOS though (hopefully it didnt change anything else)?

well so far so good...

now because i am setting my new partitions to NTFS does that mean there is no point in installing all the 'E' software like eRecovery etc. I was under the impression that it is only compatible with FAT32 partitions?

I also have another question which i will start in a new thread.

Cheers heaps for the help mate!

 

E software is Unnecessary in my opinion. And it doesn't work properly if you decide to install IE7 beta.

I like controling my power options thru regular windows.

I would however load the rest of the drivers for your acer.

 

okay cool!

One other thing... The icon in the toolbar is coming up saying that i have 30 days to activate windows... Im not up to doing that bit yet, but will it still activate??

 

I'm not really sure. What OS did your travelmate come with? You installed your XP Home , right?

Usally it should work. But retail editions are kind of funny in my experience.

 

travelmate came with XP Home. and i installed my copy of XP Home that I got with an old PC.

Everything worked this time but should it have bypassed the 30 day activation thing? I still havent tried activating it.

 

Let me know if Activation worked.

 

Yeah it worked... initially it came up saying that the code was invalid... so then i added the original code from under the laptop and it worked!

Installed the drivers etc... and all seems good except my bluetooth isnt working for some reason? refer to http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=81869