Device(s): HTC Desire HD 8GB
AcerApsire One Happy D255 250gb Windows 7 and Android 2.1 in Lavender
Thanks: 16
Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts
Come on people and I am ****ed with out a netbook and my will kill me if it doesn't work
I followed the instructions and that this why I don't normally do this and now I have nothing Grrr I am about to cry I need this netbook as it has all of my pee-opitons work on it :'(
I hope you made the Windows recovery on a USB/SD card or an external optical drive. As soon as you buy any system this is the first thing that should be done so if anything happens, you just restore to factory settings. Manufacturers use to include a set of recovery CDs or DVDs but not these days, they expect you to do it.
Everyone including me said to install linux but, if you are new to it, its advisable to install it virtually first and read forums to see what its all about.
OK, so we are past that part of the scene. What state is your system in right now? Did you make the recovery for Windows? Did you install Linux as a dual boot or wipe the drive and install it as a stand-alone OS?
The Following User Says Thank You to andruoid For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
It looks like you are stuck in the bootloader. What happens when you press any key on the keyboard while it is counting down?
If you installed Mint from a CD/DVD, I'd give it another go. Can you remember the exact process you used to install it? It would be very helpful if we knew how you got to this point as to what your options might be.
I have 2 Acer laptops. When you reboot/startup hit Alt + F10 a few time during the BIOS splash screen to get into recovery, give it a try. As long as you didn't wipe C: with linux you might be ok.
The Following User Says Thank You to andruoid For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
If there is a recovery partition on the hard disk you should be able to find instructions on how to access it from Acer's website. If you blew away all partitions with the Linux installation, then you're going to have to create a bootable flash drive and reinstall linux from there.
The Following User Says Thank You to lunatic59 For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
I found this online:
Quote:
If the system can not boot, you can restore it from the WinPE environment. The system starts from the hidden partition on the hard drive. To begin the restoration, press Alt + F10 (PC Tower) or F10 (laptop) to boot the PC and when the ACER logo appears. This will start the system from the hidden partition the hard drive and you access its main page. The restoration will be on partition C:. The partition D: (ACERDATA) will not be formatted, and therefore documents will not be deleted but it is always prudent to think about making a backup of your most important documents in case!
Note: You will be asked to enter the password before the System Restore starts. If you enter the wrong password three times, the computer will restart into the operating system.
I do not know if this applies to netbooks, but usually, they are similar processes. When the Acer logo flashes on the screen, press F10. I see by the video that it's on;y on screen breifly. You need to make sure that you hit the key While it's on screen and not before or after. Sometimes you have to press repeatedly or press and hold, but if the partition is there, it should be able to find it.
I can't read what other options you have at boot, but usually it's entering the BIOS and boot options (choosing a device to boot from.) This might be a long shot, but if you press whatever key it shows for boot options it might allow you to boot the recovery partition. Generally speaking it's only picking a device, but because netbooks are limited in boot options Acer might have hid something in there.
The Following User Says Thank You to lunatic59 For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
I can understand your frustration, but unless you tell us exactly what the screen says, there's no way we can advise you on how to proceed, or even if you can. Every manufacturer has variations in the boot and recovery process and while the principles are all very similar, pressing the wrong key or choosing the wrong option can be disastrous.
The Following User Says Thank You to lunatic59 For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
If you type anything or press enter does it do anything?
try typing "help", "--help" or "/?" and pressing enter to see if it gives you any information. What is the model number of the netbook? There might be some documentation on line.
The Following User Says Thank You to lunatic59 For This Useful Post:
Its just a dodgy install. Dont get stressed. These things never actually break the machine. You just may not be able to get back exactly how it was, which is no big deal.
You say you want to go back to 7. Do you really or are you just saying that because Mint didn't work out?
Personally I would go through the installation process again, but doing a full format. Obviously ypu would "lose" any data that was on there but you would be starting with a clean build.
The kernel is the core of any operating system so for it not to be found sounds like the insta;lation didn't work out.
__________________
"I am only responsible for what I say. Not for what you understand"
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
Okay. That tells me it's looking for syslinux.cfg or isolinux.cfg file and can't find it. That's still part of the Mint installation and probably why the bootloader gets stuck in a loop.
I can't help you much beyond this, but if this were me I would get a different installation of linux like Ubuntu.
I would make a bootable usb stick (1gb should be fine but some usb installs work best on 2gb) and reinstall that over the Mint install. If you got to Download | Ubuntu and go to the burn a CD or create a USB drive section and click show me how, it has a pretty good set of instructions.
The Following User Says Thank You to lunatic59 For This Useful Post:
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
At this point I see your options as this:
1.) Try it with a 1GB USB stick. Some of the smaller distros should fit and it might work.
2.) Get a 2GB USB Stick. You could borrow one from someone as you'll only need it for the install.
3.) Call Acer and hope they can walk you through the recovery process as long as your recovery partition is still intact.
4.) Take it to someone who will install Linux or try and recover Windows 7 for you.
The Following User Says Thank You to lunatic59 For This Useful Post:
1.) Try it with a 1GB USB stick. Some of the smaller distros should fit and it might work.
2.) Get a 2GB USB Stick. You could borrow one from someone as you'll only need it for the install.
3.) Call Acer and hope they can walk you through the recovery process as long as your recovery partition is still intact.
4.) Take it to someone who will install Linux or try and recover Windows 7 for you.
There is a lot more options, we can fix this. I think I know the problem, but she needs to answer the questions.
The Following User Says Thank You to RiverOfIce For This Useful Post:
I'd highly advise trying to get Win7 back. It's important to make the Recovery (Acer has its own tools to help you do this) for the Win OS just in case you don't like linux.
Do some research into linux before installing it and make sure your hardware is going to work. More than likely, everything will get detected however, wifi might have issues. As mentioned earlier, I have 2 Acer laptops a 5733Z with an Atheros wifi and an AO722 with a Broadcom wifi. The Broadcom is detected and has a 3rd party driver Mint asks me to install, the Atheros is a no go.
If you can't recover Win 7, eg; you wiped your hard drive with Mint and you want to run Win 7 the cheapest way is to call Acer. Say you need the recovery disks for your model netbook. I don't know the exact cost but a friend did the same with their Lenovo S10 netbook and the cost was about $45 CDN. Then spend about $50 CDN and buy an external DVD-R and reinstall that way.
Lilac, a few questions.
1. How did you install Mint? Did you use a windows based installer?
2. Do you have a USB DVD drive? I'm guessing no, as not many people have those.
Also, if you *really* don't want linux, you can boot to a live environment (loads from USB, no system level changes) and recovery any data on the computer. But, if you are just a little uneasy about it because of this, I'd give it another try.
Rule number 1: stay calm. Everything will work out.
I have never done a install through USB which is some what new to me. I us to work with the Linux.org community BIG TIME along with working with SuSE Linux team then we all took off to Open SuSE.
These guys are all asking valid questions and they are only doing there absolute best to get you back on track. I myself remember the days of the (OH NO I just flopped my computer oh gawd what do I do.) Like there all saying here to you (DON'T FRET) we can work with you to get with what you want done.
I am guessing you would really like to try out Linux Mint but you would ALSO really like to have the option to go back to windows 7 which is not that hard to do.
Me myself I never liked what they call (dual booting any of my systems I ran but that is just me) and I never used any laptop or notebook to do so. I had the option of buying myself a whole new drive and I just switched over the plugs from drive to drive as I needed.
I did help a friend of mine though dual boot his laptop and it was not that hard he was doing the same thing you are doing through the whole process too.
(((((One thing I REALLY suggest is to pick a Linux OS that lets you install the flavor of OS onto a CD rom so you can boot into it from the CD rom drive.
If you cannot do this there are ways to do this on a USB drive as the same applies above for this also.))))
This way you can get familiarized with the new OS. Have a look at how things are structured without even touching your windows partition at all.
It was a common mistake that I also did.
If partitioning drives ect is all new to you this would have been your best option. Questions for you:
1. Do you have a windows 7 disk or recovery CD that came with that Notebook.
I think what all of us should be doing from here on out is to get the notebook back to windows 7. What you are all doing here IS very confusing to any new user to the world of Linux. Trust me and it is very scary when things like this happen I know from experiencing this myself.
We can work on the Linux part of things later.
Last edited by Bubsmash; October 5th, 2011 at 02:23 PM.
Device(s): HTC Desire HD 8GB
AcerApsire One Happy D255 250gb Windows 7 and Android 2.1 in Lavender
Thanks: 16
Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts
Nope because I don't have a cd rom on this laptop and it was the only thing with windows 7
So I'm lost i don't want lunix now i just want to go back to windows 7
I have tried to install the mint 11 and thought it was on my usb but was on Android hard drive I think not sure
Explain please?
What is your android hard drive?
Do something for me.
Shut down the pc, remove the battery, usb, sd, and everything that can be removed, with out a screw driver.
Replace battery, then start computer. When you see writing on the screen. Press f12. You may have to hit f12 a few times. Then hit down arrow (to stop the countdown to reboot), write down everything on the screen and report back.
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by RiverOfIce
What is your android hard drive?
This particular line of netbooks was setup to dual boot to Windows 7 Starter and Android. I am beginning to think that the bootloader Acer puts on these is somehow interfering with the Mint bootloader.
Can you get into your BIOS settings? If Acer's bootloader is interfering, you may be able to find a work around with the BIOS.
Also, when installing a linux distro (which you now don't want to do, but might later..?), you can often tell it where to place the bootloader (likely grub).
Device(s): HTC Desire HD 8GB
AcerApsire One Happy D255 250gb Windows 7 and Android 2.1 in Lavender
Thanks: 16
Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by RiverOfIce
Explain please?
What is your android hard drive?
Do something for me.
Shut down the pc, remove the battery, usb, sd, and everything that can be removed, with out a screw driver.
Replace battery, then start computer. When you see writing on the screen. Press f12. You may have to hit f12 a few times. Then hit down arrow (to stop the countdown to reboot), write down everything on the screen and report back.
Done this its the same
There is no where to put a cd
It has two window 7 250gb hard drive and 4gb on android but now i cant see any
Device(s): HTC Desire HD 8GB
AcerApsire One Happy D255 250gb Windows 7 and Android 2.1 in Lavender
Thanks: 16
Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by 9to5cynic
Can you get into your BIOS settings? If Acer's bootloader is interfering, you may be able to find a work around with the BIOS.
Also, when installing a linux distro (which you now don't want to do, but might later..?), you can often tell it where to place the bootloader (likely grub).
Device(s): Galaxy S II,
Captivate,
Nexus 1 (retired),
Nook Color,
Asus Transformer.
Thanks: 2,609
Thanked 5,148 Times in 3,020 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by LilacBleeds
F12 just shows which order it boots
The boot order is important and the first device in the order will always be used for boot if present. It also allows you to select which device to boot from. Please tell us exactly what the screen says, not a short description of what you think it means. If it's too much text to type, take a picture and post it.
Device(s): HTC Desire HD 8GB
AcerApsire One Happy D255 250gb Windows 7 and Android 2.1 in Lavender
Thanks: 16
Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts
I will do this after I get my new USB which is 16gb
but I have found a few websites with how to make a bootable usb for windows 7 starter but it says i need 4GB+ so I will have to wait and see
Plus I have insurance so if I cant fix it I will send it off
Yeah, windows 7 is a dvd image, so it'll need ~4 gb of storage. I forget which program I used, but it was pretty straight forward and you just loaded the ISO and it made the boot image.
need help big time
