Posted on 02/19/2012 8:46:38 PM PST by Lmo56
I am going to be getting my Mom an Acer Windows 7 PC since her current PC is about at the end of its useful life.
My problem is that when I buy a new PC, I normally erase the hard drive by using DBAN and then load a clean image of the OS as well as the drivers.
That way, I get rid of all of the crapware that comes with the new PC.
However, with Windows 7, it seems that MOST OEMs do not provide the OS anymore.
I have looked on the Net, but have not been able to determine if Acer provides a Windows 7 OEM OS disc [they do have the driver downloads].
Does anyone know if they do?
Other than that, all I can see to do is burn a restore disc [with ALL OEM-supplied software on it] immediately upon initial out-of-the-box set-up, THEN removing ALL of the unwanted programs, THEN burning a second restore disc.
That way, I have the modified restore disk [in addition to the OEM restore disk] in case something bad happens ...
Any help is appreciated.
how about a hugh and series reply?
Once you have the key, you can use ANY OTHER Windows 7 DVD (read that: borrowed from a friend, or your own personal copy) to load a new, crap-ware free version of the OS from an OEM disk.
When you load the OS, do not put the license key in during the install process, simply proceed to the next step. The OS will continue to load, and the system will boot as normal with a fresh install. You'll have 30 days to register the OS before it stops working.
At this point, you can register the OS using your original OEM Product Key that you found using the free utility above by doing the following:
1.Click on the Start Button and type: CMD (into the 'Search programs and files' field in the Start Menu)
2.The Start Menu will show 'CMD.exe',
3.Right-click the CMD.exe file and select Run As Administrator.
4.In the CMD window, type: slmgr.vbs -ipk (type your product key here)
5.To activate windows after changing the key, type: slmgr.vbs -ato
Reboot the machine when finished and you have a perfectly LEGAL, fully registered Windows 7 install minus all the crap-ware you didn't want.
I've used the above method a number of times to eliminate crap-ware on computers, it works just fine, and it's alot easier and faster than burning two DVD's.
True, but you CAN mix an OEM key with an UPGRADE media. I did that on the computer I'm typing this reply on. ;-)
The Windows 7 Keyfinder link I posted above finds the Win7 Product Key. You can also use a Win 7 Product Key CHANGER to insert the key, irrespective of the installation media being OEM, Full Install, or Upgrade media. Google "Windows 7 Product Key Changer" to find it.
How about DirectX 11?
I know we now live in an age where actual performance doesn't mean anything compared to hype and status, but pick any Apple computer and a PC of equal price will out perform it in most objectively measured ways.
Load win 7 on your old PC from the disks from your newPC.
When the system asks for the activation code use the code from the sticker on you old box. Microsoft doesn’t care where you got the disks, they do care about the activation code though.
Let me put it this way. I feel like I am driving a fine German automobile now. The visual organization, the ergonomics of typing on it, the metal frame, the NO viruses. It’s not hype and status at all. It’s just a very fine machine. There’s nothing wrong with a PC if you’re surfing the net (other than the crushing viruses that make you end up talking to someone in the Philippine) and doing your taxes but for film editing, music editing etc the mac is so much better.
I resisted for a long time but now I get it. I use a music program pro tools for example that is running smooth as silk now. That’s what prompted the change. I got my new toshiba home a couple weeks ago and it was TERRIBLE with the music program. I just decided, enough with this crap.
I am surrounded by mac snobs and have been for years and now I too can’t help but look at PC’s as though a Porsche owner looking at a Skoda.
So you ask me what I spent my money on (it was waaaay too much I agree)...quality, workmanship, longevity and a virus-free environment.
No! You have to buy your own copy of the OS.. have fun
I purposefully purchase the Acer Veriton (business) models. They cost a bit more, but seem to have better power supplies and come with a 3 year warranty.
It doesn’t come with a Windows OEM disc, but the bloatware is at a minimum, and most doesn’t install unless you tell it too. Just make sure you don’t allow evil McAfee to install.
I think what you want to do is a waste of time. Just go into “Programs and Features” in the control panel and uninstall the ones you don’t want, like everybody else does.
If you pick up the laptop and aren't careful where you put your hand, it stops your connection immediately. Very annoying. (my laptop is a coulple of years old so maybe they've corrected this.)
“What does W7 do that you can’t live without?
Boot Linux.”
Games.
I love linux but CoD/UO doesn’t/didn’t come on it.
JB
However you can make your own legal disc from Microsoft's retail host servers, and with a little effort, activate it with your existing OEM Certificate of Authenticity.
Acer has caused problems for awhile not supplying OEM discs, and some work has been done for users to clean install 7 with an OEM license. Go here:
Digital River is clean, safe, legal, and Microsoft.
Burn your factory recommended restore discs, just in case, and record all your product ID's, activations and COA's both digitally and hard copy. The worst case scenario will be you will have to call Microsoft and ask, but word is they cooperate on requests such as these. If they don't, run your restore disc, and all you're out are a couple of blank CD's.
I say this as a big Linux enthusiast: have you seen the Mac Air Book? That is amazing hardware. As for software, what can't Linux do as well? Video editing. Nothing on Linux yet rivals Mac's Imovie and Final Cut.
I encountered that problem on a customer's Comapq running Vista. It is not a widely recognised problem. I did my homework online and then talked to several independent shops that confirmed my discovery. HP/Compaq support in India never fessed up to that scam and wanted me to ship the PC to HP for re-installation (at a cost of $200 because the warranty was expired). The alternative was to buy a retail copy of Vista. I installed Ubuntu Linux instead, and a month later the customer couldn't have been any happier.
ABR at Media Fire as an .rar file.
The link on page 1 is NG.
Before you simply erase the hard drive on the (new) computer, I recommend you download any number of free Windows 7 key Finder utilities and scan the (new) computer for the Windows 7 registration keys and any other software you’d want to re-load on the system.
Once you have the key, you can use ANY OTHER Windows 7 DVD (read that: borrowed from a friend, or your own personal copy) to load a new, crap-ware free version of the OS from an OEM disk.
When you load the OS, do not put the license key in during the install process, simply proceed to the next step. The OS will continue to load, and the system will boot as normal with a fresh install. You’ll have 30 days to register the OS before it stops working.
At this point, you can register the OS using your original OEM Product Key that you found using the free utility above by doing the following:
1.Click on the Start Button and type: CMD (into the ‘Search programs and files’ field in the Start Menu)
2.The Start Menu will show ‘CMD.exe’,
3.Right-click the CMD.exe file and select Run As Administrator.
4.In the CMD window, type: slmgr.vbs -ipk (type your product key here)
5.To activate windows after changing the key, type: slmgr.vbs -ato
Reboot the machine when finished and you have a perfectly LEGAL, fully registered Windows 7 install minus all the crap-ware you didn’t want.
I’ve used the above method a number of times to eliminate crap-ware on computers, it works just fine, and it’s alot easier and faster than burning two DVD’s.
Well I just learned something new, thanks. Would that work for XP also? Same command line entries?
If you really want to do a clean install don’t go with a main brand, find your local shop and get a custom built and tell them not to install Windows for you, just include the install disk. It’ll be cheaper, you’ll be able to not include extra hardware the main brands always stick in, and you’ll get to do your own install. Though honestly I’ve done a lot of installs and it’s not that exciting, 99% of the time you (just like they) are going defaults anyway. So long as Acer isn’t putting anything Norton on the machine you can just uninstall what they put on there and not worry about it. Norton of course presents problems.
“I want to wipe the disc CLEAN with a 35-pass gutmann erasure.”
A little anal, aren’t you?
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