What to do when your New Acer Arrives

Purpose of thread :

FAQ on useful tips to follow in the first thrill of ownership . . to make ownership and later support a bit easier. Many might seem obvious to experienced owners . . but we have a very wide audience on this forum.

I will post my suggestions for starters, please feel free to add others.

• Before arrival download manual and familiarise yourself with your new tool /toy
  
• On arrival check for courier damage before accepting !

Stage 1, ensure you do not need to return the unit as defective /DOA

• Unpack and perform a very careful visual check before removing screen films, stickers etc
  
• If OK visually plug adapter and battery pack

[option] Make first boot via a bootable disk image tool (e.g. Paragon backup & Restore to image entire disk to external HDD as supplied for later resale or recovery​

• Boot to windows and complete initial user password details etc with paper to write these down
  
• Once in windows go to windows update and get the latest patches etc
  
• Obtain and install the latest graphics drivers if appropriate
  
• when done go to e.g. pcpitstop.com free tests for a quick system workout
  
• Install SIW and check that CPU /GPU temperatures /voltages are reasonable at idle. Run the pcpitstop tests again and note the changes under that fairly light load. Save to USB stick and later Print the reports from both
  
• Remove screen protection Check again for missing/stuck pixels
  
• Check for smooth operation of trackpad/keyboard
  
• Check WiFi, bluetooth etc are ok
  
• Check battery charging is ok, disconnect mains adapter and
  Run battery down playing DVD etc - acceptable life ? (may improve after use/conditioning). DVD plays ok without judders etc ?
  
• Update the BIOS to the latest version (Note this always carries a risk . .so lets get it done while there is no risk to you . . .)

At the end of this stage if unhappy you still have a 100% pristine system . . any problems should be immediately resolvable by the vendor swapping for a new one.​

Stage 2 "I will keep it"

• If not already done use disk imaging software to image the entire HDD to an external Drive. This is really really useful. DO IT NOW!
  
• Make (burn) the acer recovery disks - in particular the final drivers and applications disk includes applications like media players and such that are NOT available to download from Acer.
  
• Scan the base of the unit to get a high res image of the windows key, serial numbers etc for later use when these are all scuffed beyond legibility !

Stage 3 "Get it my way"

• If you want to remove the acer bloatware this is now ok . . just make sure you know what's what
• (remember with that full disk image backup (The External HDD one not the Acer DVDs) when you delete Acer Arcade by accident or carelessly destroy the hidden partitions you can just restore it all and start again in 20 mins.

[Option] I would however recommend a 'better strategy'

• Buy a same physical size replacement HDD
• Research how to back-up/restore acers microsoft activation key. Copy keys etc to a USB stick (see other threads on this forum) http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...dows-7-acer-passes-offlne-oem-activation.html
  Alternatively just be sure you can read the sticker onthe base and it for the same OS you plan to clean install
• Download or borrow a windows 7 ISO for the exact OS supplied with your system. No piracy thank you !!
• Remove and keep safe /unused the original HDD, Carefully replace it with the new HDD.
• Either restore your full image to the new HDD or install a clean windows system using the retail DVD, In the latter case re activate using the acer keys etc or by calling microsoft quoting the key on the base and explaining you just formatted and reinstalled the supplied OS on the supplied laptop. they will give you a 1-time key . In the latter case use the last of the Acer backup DVD's to re install the applications and drivers you need/want to use.

Why ?

• You now have a wonderful troubleshooting tool. If a problem is fixed by swapping the original HDD back it is the HDD or software. simple ! No need to return system
  
• If you have to return the laptop for service in 0-11 months the service facility will probably restore the factory system so (if the system is unusable) you could lose your documents music etc etc unless you take the drive out and copy these off. With this suggested approach you can simply swap back to the factory disk as the last stage of fault-finding, and if it still isn't working just keep your 'removed' system, installed apps, emails and files for the return of the repaired system or copying off onto a different one. Also you don't have to worry where your files, passwords and mails have ended up if they kindly replace the entire system for you !
  
• You can sell or trade in your system 2nd hand as a demonstrably working system with no worries about the later recovery of personal information etc

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• Do the 101 tweaks of settings, screen colour, power settings etc you prefer, install your office applications, email clients etc etc and when totally happy take another (now much larger) full system image so in case of problems you never to do it all again. I recommend repeating this every 3 months for the first year and then every 6 for a powerful restore tool.
  
• Put your install disks, the disk image CD/USB, printouts, the passwords you set, the notes you made on temperatures etc etc in the box or another safe place.
  
• And enjoy

 

What not to do:

Receive damaged box.

Ignore instructions

Open unit, upgrade processor, wipe HDD and install other OS

Notice screen problem, flash video BIOS using file from another machine from WarezRus. Notice problem has not been fixed.

Notice Camera is not working, open screen section but fail to fix

Notice battery is not holding capacity

Notice GPU is overheating

Ask vendor for refund . . . get offered repair, get charged for restoring OS, BIOS's or even new MB. Lose warranty.

Of course I exaggerate

 

Possibly put something in about initial conditioning of the battery

 

Good one, updated thanks !

 

Nicely written. I would also mention that if carrier is willing, and you have time, (especially if packaging shows even the slightest sign of damage, including the smallest insignificant looking dent), remove the laptop from packaging, install battery, plug in charger, turn on laptop and inspect screen for any signs of a damaged screen.

The reason I am mentioning this, is because i purchased an acer laptop a year and a half-2 years ago, received it, and the box had the smallest dent in it. It may have been a coincidence, but maybe not. Anywho, i removed the laptop from the box a few hours later when i had time finally, and it looked pristine. From first glance, even the screen looked flawless, until i turned it on. The screen actually had a crack in it that produced a spider web effect on the entire left of the screen. After looking back at the box, the dent in the packaging was direct above where the crack on the screen was. Longer story short, i spent two hours on the phone with acer having to convince them that i did not drop the unit in the 2 hours that i had it upon its arrival. I was told by acer that it is important to always inspect entire unit before accepting/signing for the package. Although i was able to get a replacement, it was a lesson learned.

Just thought this may be useful for some to know in the future.

 

Good thought . . thanks

 

Very nice

One question about this: Update the BIOS to the latest version (Note this always carries a risk . .so lets get it done while there is no risk to you . . .)

If the update doesn't go normally and computer doesn't work after it etc, does it go to the warranty? (Or will they blame you for ruining the PC and then you have to pay for it to get fixed?)

 

Interesting question I also would like to know about that.

 

Updating the BIOS can 'brick' the laptop. If you do it immediately you get it all going at set up and after that it doesnt work it is still returnable as dead-on-arrival. The Retailer will confirm it is dead and pass it back to the manufacturer for a full credit so they can supply a replacement to you immediately they get your old one back.

Do this after 6 months and (rightly or wrongly) a different conversation is likely to ensue about what you decided to update the BIOS anyway.

I always flash everything that arrives to the latest firmware on arrival. Who did the Maker update the BIOS for if not people who got their system shipped with an earlier version. Also the 2nd and 3rd versions of BIOS's often fix quite major issues the maker had not noticed at shipment.

 

Hello BruBoo...I hope you are still available. I am using your instructions on what to do with this new Acer Aspire Laptop. I just registered the product and am now looking at the updates offered. There are many and I am wondering if all are necessary. Can you help me? Valerie

 

so processor upgrade is a no-no?

 

i did the upgrade bios when i first got my acer. that was ok, except the os never worked properly, couldnt add or remove programs, bad starting up, slow performance etc.
on day 2 i formatted the hard drive completely, loaded on a clean windows 7 and its been great since then
not sure if that goes on the recommended new acer actions list (but it stays on mine)