I used Partition Magic to delete the second partition, stretch the first one to fill the whole drive then converted it to NTFS. I don't need Acer's crapware to do what Windows can already do for itself, so I uninstalled it all, including the system backup stuff.
I called Acer, then Microsoft to get the straight dope on the lack of a Windows install CD. This is the first commercial PC I have bought in over 15 years, so I had no idea how screwed up things had gotten in that time.
I still can't believe that OEMs can build and sell a computer with no O/S installation media included. I pointed out to the Microsoft guy that, by not having a Windows install CD, a large portion of their knowledgebase is useless.
All those instructions about booting to your Windows CD and running the Restore Console? Nope.
Now, the only solution to many Windows problems is to use the factory restore image to wipe out everything on my machine and put it back to the way it was delivered.
Nice, Microsoft. Great way to give your customers what they want there.
With most pc’s these days, they give you a one time shot at creating your own media with XP on it. Did yours?
Did MS tell you they had no control over Acer’s business practices? I’m really interested in this.
Thanks.
Obviously that’s an Acer problem, not Microsoft. FYI it’s known as an OEM version of Windows, so the distributor, Acer, decided what you got. You should have bought American, like I did, if more people had Gateway might be buying Acer instead.
MS really, really doesn’t want to flood the secondary market with WinXP DVDs, or they’ll kill any chance for Vista to make serious $$$. If they can force you to buy a new computer with the OS pre-loaded instead of buying a naked machine and re-installing from your XP media they make more money (and hurt the chances of alternative OSes)