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.
Linux (esp Linux boot disks) are your friend.
I’ve used pcdecrappifier very successfully to get rid of the bloatware.
(fleeing hastily)
I have an Acer laptop that runs Windows 7. I don’t recall it coming with a Windows 7 disc—just the preloaded operating system.
I guess you diddn’t understand ...
I want to wipe the disc CLEAN with a 35-pass gutmann erasure.
THEN, I want to reload the Windows 7 OS. MOST OEMs DO NOT provide a disc anymore with new PCs - the OS is pre-loaded. The OEM wants you to burn a restore disc first thing out of the box.
When you do that, the bloatware is also copied.
SO, if you THEN erase the HD and perform a restore - you are back to square 1 WITH BLOATWARE ...
What I want to know is IF I can get a Windows 7 OS disk from Acer.
IF NOT, then I guess I need to burn 2 discs ...
Comprende?
It sounds like you looked everywhere other than....starting a help ticket with Acer. Which is really what you should have done first.
Other than that, What you’re doing is all you can do when a vendor slipstreams bloatware onto the PC.
Acer’s not too bad about it. All their stuff is removable.
Your Win 7 product ID # should be on the properties tab of “My Computer”. Microsoft might be able to supply you a disc or download.
Eggsactly my point ...
I think I am stuck with burning 2 discs ...
Likely a failure.
What does W7 do that you can't lie without?
Boot Linux.
I bought an Altex computer in Jan 2011, and I’m completely happy with the computer and their service. I recieved Windows 7 Professional installation disc. I’m in the Austin area- Altex has other locations, but I don’t know how many or where.
Likely a failure.
What does W7 do that you can't live without?
Boot Linux.
A computer his mother can operate and will use? :)
you can purchase Win 7 off the MS website, or at Fry’s.
Unless in an IT supported environment, I recommend hard media.
Yes you have to pay for it. You think we work for free?
His jomamma can use XP just fine (or some version of Linux).
You obviously did not read my post close enuf. It is for my Mom - she's 85 and comfortable with Win XP. BUT. XP has a drop-dead support date of June 2013 for XP.
The jump to Win 7 will be a bit of a stretch for her, BUT nothing like trying to get her comfortable with Linux or a Mac [which she has NEVER used] ...
You can probably order a recovery DVD from Acer with the OS on it, but I’m guessing it will probably have all the crapware loaded on it as well. (How do you think they provide you with the OS from MS so cheaply?)
I must say, the absence of crapware is at least one good reason to get a Mac.
Might want to make sure with Acer before you continue this plan. I know on HP hard drives, depending upon the model, that the version of Windows 7 that is restored is locked to that specific hard drive, and a deep level reformat (or a replacement of the hard drive) can prevent it from restoring the backup media onto the computer.
Personally, I think you're pretty mad to be doing this - hours spent reformatting the hard drive, an hour making the restore media, another hour restoring the computer from media, hours spent removing the bloatware, hours more trying to make a second restore disc, more time reformatting the hard drive again, then trying the restore disc that may not work..
Just buy a new (and likely better) hard drive to go in the computer and an OEM version of Windows 7. No bloatware, no having to reformat the world.
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