Where can I get OEM XP home disk to install on an Acer?

Ok, these laptops come with a recovery partition which is a pre-sp2 hobbled together install that splits the hard drive up poorly onto a fat32 system. Where can I get a junkware free OEM copy of XP home to install using the licence provided with this laptop?

 

nothing is free, but ebay is cheap.

 

I would like to know the answer to this too (beyond 'eBay').

I hate that manufacturers never provide an OEM copy of Windows these days. (I wonder if Acer would if I called them?)

Another question:
Say I borrowed a copy of XP Pro from a friend.
Would the OEM Key on the bottom of my laptop (which says "Windows XP Media Center Edition") work with it?

I would like to reformat and install fresh.
As digitaltrav mentioned, this two Fat32 partitions full of junk is undesirable to say the least.

And last, I'm wondering if I would void the warranty if I were to reformat?
I've only had this thing a few weeks.
Unfortunately, It's too late to return it without a whopping restocking fee. (And even then, I only have a couple of days left to do that).

(BTW...this is an Aspire 5102WLMi).

Overall, I like it and didn't want to spend too much on a Laptop, but I should have done my research a little better I guess.


This has to be the only Laptop around in the year 2006 that comes with two lousy Fat32 partitions, and no disks other than the recovery disks I made.
(Yes, I'm aware that I could use the convert command to change to NTFS, but I'd most likely end up with 512 Byte clusters which is also not very desirable...not to mention I'd still have all the Acer crap that came with it)

If this thing ends up being unreliable as well, it may end up being the worst $750.00 I ever spent. (After rebate if I ever get it).

Can anyone answer some of my above questions?
I'd appreciate it.

 

Ok....I guess I've answered some of my own questions, and called Acer for the others.
Even an OEM Disk 'ordered' from Acer, would basically be the same thing as what's on the backup disk I made.

And no, If I 'borrowed' an XP Pro copy from a friend, the Key on the bottom of the Laptop would not work. (I already knew that...don't know why I asked).

Converting to NTFS using the Convert command would cause the Acer backup software to no longer work, and, as far as I know there would be no way to restore back to factory defaults if I did that. (The backup up being Fat32 and specific to my machine).

I would also need something like partition magic to convert the undesirable 512 Byte cluster size to 4KB.

However, the warranty is basically on the hardware, so if something Hardware related failed, they would still cover it.

So, here I have an Operating System I already paid for, but If I want it set up the way I would like, I have to go out and buy a whole new operating system with a new product key......something about that just doesn't seem fair.


I'm going to keep this thing because I can't afford to take the restocking hit...my only hope now is that It ends up being a reliable unit, and, sometime down the road I can acquire a new OS and start fresh the way I would like it.

And digitaltrav...if you ever find an answer to your question as far as an OEM Copy that would work for a reasonable price, I sure would appreciate it if you shared that information with me.

Thanks.

 

That is correct, Acer would supply you with a restore DVD not the origional OEM media.

You need to keep apples with apples on this one. Remember the key on the bottom of your PC is Windows XP Home ED OEM. The key will only work with home and no other version of XP

There are 4 main branches of XP

XP Home
XP Pro
XP MCE
XP Tablet

Under those 4 there are various "types" of the software.

Home Retail (that you would purchase in a store)
Home Upgrade (that requires a previous key of windows to install)
Home OEM (that is found on the bottom of OEM retailers hardware)
Corp (that is used by large corperations, so you do not need to constantly register your product)

One type of software media will not work with another type of software media. Remember keep apples with apples and you'll be fine. You need to just get an XP Home OEM disk and you can use your supplied disk on the bottom of your pc.

Converting to NTFS would only cause the hdd restore image to not work. The restore DVD you made is bootable and will still allow you to re-create backups. It is also important to note that if you formatted your hard drive or changed the partition / file type (NTFS vs. FAT32) the restore image will create one single large partition when you are finished.

Also if you acquire an OEM disk of home you can make your own backups and restore images by using software such as Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image.

First off yes, all hardware manufacturers cover the HARDWARE not the software. 90% of the time that is the 1st thing to go either due to user error etc. <---- this is why I'm still in buisness at my job

Secondly you don't need a new copy of XP as I've stated before. If someone says you do they are taking you for a ride and trying to make you spend money you don't need to spend.

Exercise your digital rights! Read up on the fair use clause of the DMCA (if you are in the USA), and read how this helps you.

It is a great laptop! you are just stuck as an end user that needs to realize how to acquire the proper media to solve your problem. Don't blame Acer or the retailer for your problem. Acer, Dell, HP, Compaq, Sony, Toshiba all supply "restore" patitions and media instead of origional media by DEFAULT. Only dell willl give you an origional disk if you pay for it upon the inital purchase of the disk.

So please don't bash the hardware b/c you can't configure it the way you want yet.

Get in contact with me via PM, we'll talk over your options for acquiring a disk for your Acer. There are many options, all being legal and falling under the DMCA's fair use policy.

Hope this helps, and I know we have a solution for you


--ssx--

 

Thank you for the excellent reply SSX4life!

I feel bad now, I just started another thread and (among other things), complained a bit about the lack of responses here when asking for help.

Your reply went above and beyond the call of duty.

BTW, mine came with XP Pro Media Edition. (Or so it says).

I just in a bad mood today...pay no attention to my seemingly endless rants.

Again, I really appreciate the time and care you took to respond!

 

If you have windows XP MCE you can acquire MCE disks and reinstall your OS.

Media Center Ed. is a "bit" harder to find then a standard home or pro disk but it is VERY do-able.

Let me know if you need more help or if you are all set.