Hi Folks, I have a new Acer 5738Z and would like to install Linux, in common with many suppliers PC World do not include the Windows OS disks, in this case Windows 7. If I decide not to keep the Linux, would someone please advise if I can recover the Windows System using the 3 recovery DVDs recommended by Acer? Or will I need a Windows 7 installation disk? I know that Linux will format the drive and that I can dual boot, I already dual boot Vista and Ubuntu on the desktop computer. I suppose my question is whether Linux would format the whole drive or would it leave the hidden partition untouched?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi,

The recovery DVDs can be used to reinstall but that will install everything just the way you got it when you bought the computer. The way I always have done it in the past is just install Windows with the standard options, everything that comes included and after completing the installation I make an image using Acronis (you could also use CloneZilla). That way when something happens while under warrenty I can just as easily put the image back on it if needed.

When installing Linux you can (on all distros I have tried) select where to install and leaving other partitions alone. But if you're new at it you might find it difficult.

Kind regards,

Eric

Hi Eric
Thanks for that. I wasn't sure if there was a hidden partition which would come into play. As I understand it then, the recovery disks have all the information needed to re-install Windows 7 in the event I don't want to keep the Linux, and I will just have to install the programmes again. Thank you very much for your advice.

Dave

Hi,

As far as I know yes, the recovery DVDs have the necessary programs to do a 'clean factory default' installation should you choose to do so. And you're welcome.

Kind regards,

Eric

OK---so how are "recovery" disks different than "install" disks?

Regardless, I have read that you can get installation disks from the computer manufacturer (for an extra charge)

Hi,

The main difference in my opinion is that the recovery disks include applications that are not part of a default Windows installation along with some drivers that might be typical to that computer. For example I noticed some time ago with a HP laptop that I couldn't install Windows XP from the OpenVolume License version I had because it didn't include the correct driver for the harddisk. From the recovery CD/DVD I could install perfectly.

Kind regards,

Eric

Actually Acer and Dell have a recovery partition which restores the Factory settings as it was sold. It's recommended by the manufacturers not to wipe that partition. I don't know about you, but one of the first things I did on Acer was to format my entire hard disk and got rid of Vista and it's recovery partition and installed Linux. Although you can re-install windows anytime but it won't include the drivers as factory settings won't be restored as Eric mentioned above. You will need to manually install those.

Hi Shylock, thanks for your reply.
Before I do the deed and install Linux, do I understand correctly that the recovery disks will definitely restore Windows 7, albeit drivers need manual installs. Also, would you please advise of a way to install linux leaving the hidden partition intact, I presume it will have an ID?

Thanks

Most linux distros will offer you a view of existing hard disk partitions before making any changes. You should be able to see any existing stuff there. You should then further be able to use free (un-partitioned) space to create the necessary partitions for your linux install.

The final part is that linux will then overwrite the boot loader with its own, but it will also include existing operating systems in its boot menu (you should already know this since your desktop is dual boot). All you need to do to convert the box back to "windows only" mode is to regenerate the windows boot loader. Here is a link to some instructions how to do this: http://kb.acronis.com/content/1507
Once that is done, your average PC World support guy won't even be able to see that there is a linux install on the box (in case that is what's bothering you).