OS Vista Basic

[Slamman]

An update for now, my 120GB drv failed to format, not sure if that just crashed while working a solution, but typically SMART would have stats, too bad I didn't check it. I returned it to MicroCenter for refund/replacement, and they honored it, since there was a price difference, they nearly charged me for a new one, same specs however as originally receipted, it's 160GB this time! 5400 rpm Fujitsu

 

I had to revert to Microsoft Windows Millennium because that's all that seems to work at the moment. My fall back idea is have the Boxshop format my laptop drive for a 9150 Dell desktop since they sell a number of them (former business computers resellers I believe) With a SATA drive, the size doesn't matter, and the Vista swapped mearly effortlessly to and from the 4710 Acer. All attempts to boot an OS on my particular Precision Dell 9150 (XPS 400 also) have been less then rosy

 

It halts while booting to a drive OS. Disc bootup seems fine and I always get a response beyond BIOS, which seems normal, so no sign there what is off, but my attempt to use a Vista format laptop drive on it is because it was SATA and a trial by fire when that OS had malware already, figured I'd see how well it worked outside the laptop. Of all the work on this, that's the one thing no one could have guessed, that Acer would run Dell and vice versa

 

Anyway, Reason for using ME is it does see as much as 130GB of the 160GB drive, and all of a 120GB drive.

Plenty of free space, however, the drivers are the key to it running useful, which as you know, in 2006/7, drivers for Win 9X?? Need 'em custom made. I know there's some support crossing lines, typically not this late in the game, as I've searched Google and DriverGuide in the past for ME drivers.

 

As it stands, moving needed files to the ME formatted drive, then swapping it. MC says nothing short of sending it to Acer will resolve the issues, that BIOS update must ALSO be done via the BIOS itself. That sounds odd to me, I got the Update floppy from Dell to boot directly, however, floppy support must be found from the boot.

 

I tried BIOS update from Windows and got errors, not sure if the download was a good one, even.

Well, the "battle" continues. I imagine I'll be calling Acer this week, and gripe about their charges!!

[Slamman]

Bummpppp...

 

I got a reply from Acer's email tech support, they told me my Serial Number does not exist in their records, that basically I messed up typing it, or sent the wrong number along?!... Oh, contrare!!!

 

Damn, this just gets more and more bizarre. Took me two days to assemble the 2 inch flex ribbon cable to the palmrest along with the other minor connectors to the motherboard. It's more hell then you can imagine, I had a battery light I had to move around to get some idea of how I was doing! Now that it's partial function restored, I am faced with re-fixing the flex cable or shipping to Acer and biting the bullet. I asked for a quote to get the keyboard and password addressed. Explaining being jobless as well, see what they say. I will be giving them a photo as proof of this one laptops' serial, it's right in front of me, plain as day! It's just so stupid that they can't confirm it....

 

 

WELL, they got back to me not long ago, so I also had an update, I got a new HDD as mentioned, formatted back to Windows ME and swapped it to the Acer, did some modding with files, USB works, the DVD RW drive works, I booted both copies of XP, Upgrade and FULL versions I own, both loaded the drivers to the reboot section and then BSOD! I took pictures of that, so the error codes might be a key to the puzzle. BUT it looks like my downloaded Ubuntu might be next up for testing and throwing at this work in progress.

 

WinME has resource conflicts with the System components that down allow IRQ swapping, so I have a Motherboard Resource with the Timer CMOS conflicting and another component as well, Tried more password backdoors and ideas to no avail, This is Phoenix 1.08 version in 2007.

 

Astra polling utility says that this BIOS won't allow other device or Network boots but will from CD/DVD??!!! Strange.

 

945 or 845GM Intel chipset I believe, Integrated Intel video matches that so if there is a Win9x driver, it would work if it was for that, the Realtek HD audio has been a problem for some people online. Anyway, reminiscent of my Dell Precision problems, the Setup section in XP tries to format the HDD with loaded files that it gathers in prep mode, and BSOD or freezing occurs.

 

USB was a generic driver that works.

 

Looking at the odd adapter AC plug, it seems I got a European Acer and that's why the S/N is not on record, they inform me it's Canada and USA only machines! Interesting. [email protected]? Where was this one purchased?!????

Edited October 27, 2009 by Slamman

[Star-Lord]

If that's the case then you should be using these DRIVERS and not the US version(s). You never know it makes some sense. After all you got it from a pawn shop someone could of came here on vacation lost it-sold it-jack it. Ending up at the pawn shop and in your hands.

 

 

Please ensure that VISTA SP1 is installed on your system prior to installing these drivers!

Driver incompatibilities on a system without VISTA SP1 might affect usability.

 

For XP you should use a full install disc and not a recovery disk from another machine. That can be the cause of all your boot up issues. Recovery disk(s) were meant for the PC that it came with, and weren't meant to be use on other machines.

 

[Slamman]

All I own for XP is store bought Upgrade XP, Full install $150 version of XP, for blank drives (has an upgrade path if booted on an OS, as well, the Upgrade will allow full install if you own Windows prior. Then I have a series of Dell based Restore discs for Win2K and Pro/Home versions and Xp with Sp2, these I got when I was working on the Dell lappys.

 

They worked on the Acer, however, it couldn't determine it was NOT a Dell. I downloaded Ubuntu 9 series, it's less then 100MB, about 77MB?

Took over 3 hours on dialup but seemed to work though!!

What I have now is 130GB of the new Fujitsu HDD 2.5 size, 160GB drive, running Windows ME, loading with minimum working drivers, seeing some USB function and the DVD RW working, then the XP (full version tried after Upgrade) installing files to the WinME System installed, then it offers a SETUP option or Windows from a dual boot menu, however, ME still is actively looking for drivers when it has a setback, it can just run with unknown ones and reduced function. From there I tried running the CMOSPWD and BIOS upgrades, encountering errors I photographed, I'll upload the various screens, it's a few! hahaha

 

Talked with Boxshop guy, he says selling COAs online "highly illegal" that the machine will spit it back out if he tried swapping system COAs. I got into a minor argument because I'd been using sold COAs on laptop bottoms, or preinstalled matching OSs to get a new system going, and my experience has been favorable. Sure, MS may frown on anyone not buying disc per platform, but the fact remains people sell the COAs in parted systems and from what I've tested, you can assign them to a new machine effectively. He says he gets rejected. It just confuses me.

 

I'd still say it works more oft then not, He seems to suggest that the OS is still in use and swapped then it will not fly, that DOES makes sense.

If a machine dies and you start over with the COA and matching disc media, I would say it works.

Anyway, the upshot is I get BSOD Protection shutdown when trying to load the XP SETUP option saved to WinME directories.

I also bought a USB floppy tonight, with that same HDD still on the Acer, it loads TEAC floppy USB drivers more then once, when going into WinME, so it seems it will not boot outright to USB floppy either, if I remove the HDD, it may, not tested just yet.

 

The other option mentioned was to have Boxshop format a 9150 install XP to the 2.5 with an adapter or using SATA connect, then putting that in the Acer, cost $45

The floppy cost me $20. Hope it can be useful somewhere, I think it maybe.

 

Acer knows that this thing maybe an import, but still requests I send the picture of the serial, and as mentioned, I took several. I also documented some video for YouTube, even when Vista's bubble floating screensaver came up, to show it seemed to be functional on few occasions like that, I believe I shot video of that to preserve the "happy" moment. I at least have to see about a pawnshop refund considering how extensive these setbacks are, it just seems nothing short of Acer correcting it will fly. Even after the mobo re-assembly, the battery is having CONTACT issues, like the blades (all batts to mobos these days seem similar MALE/FEMALE blade system) appear to not be level when connecting.

 

I'm really BLOGGING this endeavor, but I hope it clears up some of the misfortune one will encounter on this machine, get one that is working and make sure you STORE your passwords, for HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!! I mean, losing them is total bullocks!

 

Ok, ran CMOSPWD from the floppy, it worked as it hadn't before with the 3 option menu, tried both KILL CMOS options, nada, as expected with EEPROM, no immediate solution.

 

I am still stuck, still guessing passwords, now with 7 keys on the keyboard unresponsive. With no OS, the USB keyboard still works and the USB floppy with no OS as well, so that's good at least, I need to rename the floppy based files names so they are shorter on par with Windows 95 and earlier syntax.

 

UPDATED today,

 

checked my email, Acer finally stated to send the laptop to them, they will require $99 bucks. USD

 

Pretty much as speculated online, you got the confirm.

 

Now, I came across a pawn shop Gateway with a line across the display dead center, it has a AMD Turion 64 (x2??? no?) and 1GB ram, about 130GB HDD and Vista Premium, has a mobile Geforce nvidia with 300MB vid Ram and is 6 or 7 series Go I believe, better tech in some regard then my Acer, however, the lines are annoying, it's marked at $200 selling price, my Acer as you'll recall was $130.

 

It's still an interesting swap to get the Gateway instead. I'm just needing a private sale or pawn to get $200 spending money for it. I'll be listing this Acer for $200 I guess.

Edited October 29, 2009 by Slamman

[Star-Lord]

Slamman, do yourself a favor, and have the Pawn Shop test the Gateway for you, before you buy it.

Otherwise you might encounter a brick, when you get home and start it up.

It's better to be safe than sorry! Right?

Learn from your mistakes buddy

[Slamman]

With the Acer, I assumed it was working, I jumped at the deal, and Vista had some functionality, what I needed to address, was F2 for BIOS and finding the password right away. Acer reports back, $99 to send to them, that they cannot offer me motherboard info... But as I still am looking for a DIY solution, I uncovered an EEPROM reader tutorial for IBM's , Now how close do I need to be to get Acer Aspire to clear with something similar???

Can you find more info on this?

Here's the site

http://sodoityourself.com/hacking-ibm-thin.../#comment-18255

 

An EEPROM reader versus one that clears the EPROM, like Dell's utility would be the most sensical one. I asked Acer why the 4710 is a more challenging machine to clear, obviously from what you unearthed, there are easier ones security wise.

 

I just am really stuck, looks like XP's BSOD could be related to the HDD controller not being PATA friendly, even though via adapter I could get WinXP and 98 on the drive, running and XP's discs boot from the DVD RW drive, but as Windows starts I get an OS error with bluescreen of death

 

I think it maybe the controller as it takes over an XP influenced boot versus the prior formatting with Win9x on an adapter, the drive is on it's SATA port via the laptop.... What say you about that?

 

To add to the above, the Gateway was shown in the pawnshop to observe the software and specs, like video graphics, as well as HDD size, type of Vista was evident on the machine, as was CPU type. The BIOS worked fine. It's $200 for the LCD issues, that's why it's cheaper then the others, which are $400 or so typically. Pawn shop lappys ain't cheap normally!

 

I succesfully flashed a BIOS upgrade, but it didn't touch the p/w Eeprom, so there's no way to get into it to confirm

Edited October 30, 2009 by Slamman

[Slamman]

Hi all Friendly BUMP here....

 

I'm constantly been going back and trying things out to get this ACER operational, and I've had a break of luck, BUT first attempt was to use EEPROM Eraseable/Programmable ROM, where memory is kept intact from those meddling with normal AC and batteries (DC) to the system, sadly, EEPROM is basically the worst thing about this mess, there's no tool, and my Dell floppy that DOES address various EEPROM tools, all basically produced "fatal Error" readouts from the memory, or non-results. It did run the MS-DOS tools however, which seemed encouraging at first.

 

The real break was getting a floppy with SATA/RAID drivers to read correctly when prompted F6 key during XP install, I was doing it from the previously formatted Windows ME, which could not use all 160GB, however, since it was partitioned and contained a Windows folder with the XP install files on it, using that partition to put XP as I booted up presented a possible conflict (windows on windows OS), so I used the remaining space to install my XP, which amounts to 20GB of the drive I guess. Sadly, not enough, since Windows ME is using the most, and being quite ineffectual.

 

XP needs drivers, of course, the step I have left to do, but I found it loads USB status for the built in web-cam, and activated it successfully, however, the still shots I snapped from it were not stored in My Pictured/Shared or otherwise) and My Documents, anybody know where they store to??

 

The USB multicard reader proved unresponsive, however, my USB thumb drives work, and a I have a Targus miniB USB that often works, supports more then one card but only one at a time, versus the other reader where it sets up multiple drive letters when it works OK.

 

This is great news in some regard, as Windows 7 seems possible now, but one must still boot from an OS, with the HDD installed, so how to I deal with Windows ME's huge partition, what would be best to take a big slice away from ME, and leave it on about 10GB or so?

[Star-Lord]

Hello Slamman, Are you able to boot from a USB flash drive?

What's the space capacity of this flash drive you speak of? I been working on a solution for you since all else has failed.

[Slamman]

Yeah, the USB flash is 2GB Kingston, green and white plastic casing, they are the generic ones found in stores, it stopped working due to an error handling process in Windows, that is I did something wrong perhaps while it was in use, like a disconnect when it was hanging in file transfer? I don't know but it only flashes on the drive once connected, no files can be accessed. USB drives like the IBM drive I bought don't take precedence when a HDD is detected, and the blasted BIOS locking password is controlling the detection, it's the heart of the whole fiasco, and the damn owner, Jeffrey K. R. of eMerchandising Online, he got my flooding of emails and did not respond, so I'm going to put his name up online and tell people to boycott this guy's business, he's no help at all.

[Star-Lord]

I was going to recommend this link below, but since you are saying your flash drive is defected. Than I guess it wouldn't work? Unless you repair it or buy another. You can always attempt to format the flash drive, it might just have some errors on it. I've never had a flash drive die on me before, they are pretty solid, and it's rare to say the least.

 

Geez! I have an old as* Grey Lexmark 512MB flash drive, still around that is like 6 years old and it's been through hell and back and back again. I've dropped it so many times, spilled beer on it-kicked it with my sneakers a countless number of times-step on etc,etc., and the damn thing is still kicking it alive and well. So when Lexmark says lifetime guaranteed, man those guys ain't joking.

WinToFlash

[Slamman]

Of course, I could only update via PM the past week, but last night I was online with the Acer for the first time, using Windows virtual onscreen keyboard and the actual one to get access to all the keys required to type, it's ardous, if that's the word.

Anyway, I bought a BlueTooth module, small USB nub of a thing! Pretty cool, I have a BT Dell keyboard that worked instantly on my (former) PS3.

 

But I also saw a micro USB keyboard on sale under $10, so I bought that as well. Still trying to repair the keyboard issue, cleaning the terminals and using an index card to clear out the female slot connector on the mainboard, not tested this morning yet.

 

I looked up YouTube videos on the swap of ATI to nVidia card 8600 was it? I confused the MXM card for the 9600 others were posting about, no doubt, TOO new I guess.

 

My mainboard has a vacant slot, it's Centrino, and unlike my Dell D800, also Centrino, I read that classification intails main circuit ICs are all Intel, but that may exclude GPU, given the Dell Latitude also is Centrino Mobile

[leik oh em jeez!]

I really hope windows repeats itself. With Vista being like 95, 7 being like 98.

In two years we'll get an improvement in the code base, and in another two years, we'll get an entirely new OS with an updated GUI.

 

It's just something I would like to see. I don't like the Vista/7 GUI changes from XP, and was angered that MS didn't include an XP theme in Vista.

What I'd like most is for things like control panel, and display properties to return to the way they were before. I just don't understand why they had to go and change stuff that was just fine the way it was.

Edited November 22, 2009 by leik oh em jeez!

[Tornado Rex]

It's just something I would like to see. I don't like the Vista/7 GUI changes from XP, and was angered that MS didn't include an XP theme in Vista.

Personally I like the 7/Vista GUI better. Not sure why, just seems cleaner to me. That said, give it a little while. I'm willing to bet someone will come out with a uxtheme-ish hack for 7 and someone will put out an XP skin.

[Slamman]

You may find it rather bizarre, as I did, to see the Acer's former Vista Malware afflicted drive running on my Dell Precision, but I recorded it and it's now on YouTube folks!

I did wipe Vista THEN discover the BIOS lock, and not sure that was wise a move, but the keyboard losing some functioning keys is most disturbing to me at present. Can a local shop test a keyboard to determine if the board or the keypads are defective (mobo or keyboard being the issue?) I hate to splurge on parts not even knowing, but it seems the keyboard would be the easiest and cheapest to replace. I got Blue Tooth and USB mini for replacement in the meantime, which means I can't effectively use the laptops' keyboard without MS's virtual On SCreen one! I tried that too, it's not easy! But it can be done.

 

Vista does look good, even in Basic mode, but in regular booting mode, it typically crashed while it loaded everything (BSOD)

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2009 by Slamman

[Slamman]

Bumping this as a headsup, I am going to add more VIDEOS of the project, since I had it apart and then working last. I mentioned Swissknife for the partitioning of XP, hoping to delete the first Win 9x format partition taking up the majority of my HDD. The keyboard is still the biggest problem, though BlueTooth Dell and a mini USB work as a nice solution, the virtual onscreen MS keyboard in accessories as well, but you have to tell the cursor where to reside when typing between the keyboard and another one. BT works well without that issue.