Reinstalling Vista w/o using recovery disks?

[richc46]

First its just a hunch that its the BIOS password and second if it is, its just a hope that this will work.
In any event, I would call Acer first and see if they can help. If not its up to you if you want to try this.
I cannot guarantee anything including the possibilty of not making matters worse.
How to Manually Reset a BIOS Password for Acer | Tech Tips - Salon.com

 

[STU9000]

OK thanks for the help and all that. I'm really tired now as I spent half the day travelling and then cycling/walking up to one of the nearest peaks around here. Going to take this up in the morning. I might be able to do this password reset, if not I'll just use the recovery disks.

 

[STU9000]

anything including the possibilty of not making matters worse.
How to Manually Reset a BIOS Password for Acer | Tech Tips - Salon.com

Just had a look at it this.

Tried removing what I think are the small power lead(s?) that attaches the BIOS clock battery to the motherboard for a whille (maybe not long enough) and when I tried to get into setup it still asked me for a password and the third time I tried to guess it it came up with a prompt saying 'system disconnected' or something and the number 13957.

Is this the power lead to the bios clock?

I have tried it again but this time just disconnecting the black one. Will be back later to see if that works.

 

[richc46]

I am much more familiar with the Software rather than the hardware, but that should be the lead to the Bios Clock,

 

[tom982]

STU,

Could you tell me the serial number of your computer please? I can tell you the master password if you do

If you can see this, ignore it! Change of plan. Try entering the BIOS password 3 times and you will be locked out of your BIOS, I know it sounds bad but it's the only way that we can do this. It will display a short hash (around 8 characters). Post that here please and I'll give you the master password

Tom

 

[richc46]

Your help is appreciated.

 

[STU9000]

STU,

Could you tell me the serial number of your computer please? I can tell you the master password if you do

Tom

That would be great. There are serial numbers all over it I don't know which one is the right one, if any. Here are the ones on the back. This one was under the HD

 

[richc46]

Stu I have deleted your Product Key Number from your post.
That number should be kept in a safe place where the wrong eyes are not able to see it.

 

[tom982]

STU,

Could you tell me the serial number of your computer please? I can tell you the master password if you do

Tom

That would be great. There are serial numbers all over it I don't know which one is the right one, if any. Here are the ones on the back. This one was under the HD

Thanks, now we need to do something else. Try entering the BIOS password 3 times and you will be locked out of your BIOS, I know it sounds bad but it's the only way that we can do this. It will display a short hash (8 characters). Post that here please and I'll give you the master password after I know what the admins think of this plan of attack. I don't want to get myself banned

 

[STU9000]

Stu I have deleted your Product Key Number from your post.
That number should be kept in a safe place where the wrong eyes are not able to see it.

OK thanks I wasn't sure about that. Hope that it didn't fall into the wrong hands.

 

[STU9000]

Thanks, now we need to do something else. Try entering the BIOS password 3 times and you will be locked out of your BIOS, I know it sounds bad but it's the only way that we can do this. It will display a short hash (8 characters). Post that here please and I'll give you the master password after I know what the admins think of this plan of attack. I don't want to get myself banned

I gave you the serial number, now you still don't have the master password?

It locked me out and showed the number 13957 as I posted earlier.

 

[richc46]

Stu I have deleted your Product Key Number from your post.
That number should be kept in a safe place where the wrong eyes are not able to see it.

OK thanks I wasn't sure about that. Hope that it didn't fall into the wrong hands.

No it did not, I caught it right away.

 

[STU9000]

Just trying to get into this thing to find the CMOS battery, it's proving almost as difficult to open up as a bleeding Macbook! If this isn't resolved by tomorrow I'm using the recovery disks!

 

[richc46]

Tom should be by soon. Hes in a different time zone.

 

[STU9000]

I'll wait til he comes back on then. I shouldn't really be doing this as I don't have a wrist strap. Had a look inside on the mother board on both sides using a torch and can't see anything so far that resembles a CMOS battery, no jumpers either just a few empty solder slots I could maybe short out.

 

[richc46]

Actually, hes in the same time zone as you, beginning to get late there.

 

[STU9000]

Well i think I may have broken the trackpad whilst trying to take it apart. The connecting ribbon got damaged, tried plugging it back in but I don't think it is connecting properly now. Recovery disks might be my only option now.

 

[STU9000]

Yep I've buggered the track pad. I tried to cut the end off and reconnect it and ended up maybe cutting too much. It's just dead. So I guess I've no option now but to use the recovery disks, and if I do then will I have a problem using the mouse?

I'm giving up on this for tonight either way.

 

[STU9000]

So is it possible now to use the recovery disks now that I have screwed the touch pad? Or should I just try cleaning it up as it is and try to convince my mum to just buy a new computer?

Damn bios password! Anyone who is thinking about buying a laptop stay away from off the shelf cheap Acers. Spend an extra hunder or so and get yourself a Sony, you wont regret it. Also, stay away from MacBooks.

 

[STU9000]

So is it possible to use the recovery disks now that I broken the track pad?