[Solved] Are these two compatible?

[5teve]

Hi guys,

I have a sick Acer Aspire 5920. The laptop itself is fine. It's just the software that needs some help.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I decided to buy a new hard drive and install Windows 7 Pro (64 bit) on it. It was only then that I asked myself if the 2 were compatible. I had it in my head that this laptop accepted 64 bit software but now that push comes to shove, I can't find any details anywhere.

Have you guys got any ideas before I try to make it happen and cost myself a lump of cash?

Cheers,

Steve

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Steve,

Sorry to be asking questions rather than give any answers, but we do need to know some things first.

So, which operating system is or was on it do you know? The spec I have seen suggests Vista and 64bit capable.

Is it still working or what is the problem that made you get another hard drive?

Thirdly and quite important, do you know which type of BIOS it has?

 

What I can tell you is that from the spec I found, you should be able to run Windows 7 64bit on it with little trouble, providing you use its existing hard drive.

 

This is why I ask about the BIOS system, if it has the Acer InsydeH20 or similar you will have trouble getting it to accept a different hard drive. The reason is that it is actually the newer UEFI system, not the old BIOS if indeed it has Acer InsydeH20. That system has built in security which prevents a different hard drive from being recognised. The only way to change hard drives is with exactly the same make, model, and capacity as the one already in it, and even then it may recognise a later serial number and refuse it. (Not too sure about the last)

 

The only reason I know about this problem is I have an Aspire 5935G, I tried to fit a bigger and different make drive, it wouldn't accept it due to the security. As yet not found a way round it either.

 

This is the specifications I found for your model, unfortunately doesn't tell us the BIOS or UEFI type.

 

http://www.cnet.com/laptops/acer-aspire-5920/4507-3121_7-32461074.html

 

Edit to add, I have now found a full service manual for the 5920G, if yours is with the "G" fine, if not hopefully this may be near enough, the good news is it may be the Phoenix BIOS, which will mean you shouldn't have a problem changing the drive, being the older BIOS system it won't have the same security as the later UEFI system.

Here is the link to the manual :-

 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15021242/Aspire-5920-Service-Manual

 

 

Nev.

[5teve]

Thank you Plastic Nev,

For info, my laptop was running Windows XP Pro, SP3. As for the BIOS system, I have no idea what kind it is. All that I can say is that it didn't seem to look like the NIOS systems that I used back in the days of running Windows 3.11 which was probably the last time that I looked.

BTW, I forgot to mention my other problem, impatience. I can't even wait 10 minutes, lol.

OK, so let me tell you what happened.

I decided to do the hard drive swap 'cos I tried maybe a dozen times to alter the Boot order but with no joy. The system kept reverting to a list of possible boot options, waiting 30 seconds and then booting into Ubuntu. Nothing that I tried would alter that.

So, I removed the battery and then undid the screws all round the edge of the hard drive cover. It's an odd shaped thing but more or less an "L" shape.

With that off, I unscrewed 2 screws that held the hard drive down. Once they were out, I just pulled the hard drive back to the far end of its little area and then removed it from its housing by undoing the 4 screws. Putting the new hard drive in was just a simple reversal of taking it out.

Once the battery was back in place and the mains lead was connected and plugged into the mains I used a tiny screwdriver to open the DVD tray and dropped the Windows 7 Pro in place...

I had no idea what to expect next so I just crossed my fingers and hit the Start button.

It all seemed to go fairly well and once I got to the stage of entering my location and keyboard language, it was off.

It was only when it virtually finished that I found a few problems. I got my Network running OK just by adding my router's password. Then I had the internet up and running and IE8 downloaded and installed 134 items .......... only it didn't. It downloaded about 40 of the items and installed them but then it stopped stone dead until I re-started the system. Then it downloaded a few more etc, etc until, eventually, I had them all done.

For my next trick, I wanted some AV software so I went to the MSE site and did the download, updated it and did a full scan. There were no issues but then, I didn't really expect any. Then it was time for a new browser and, for my pains, I picked Mozella Firefox, mostly because I used to use it all the time until I changed over to Chrome on my Mac.

And that's where I am now.

The clever types amongst you will note that I have made no mention of typing in the Key-Code letters and numbers anywhere. That's because, as yet, I haven't been asked to do it.

Maybe it will all fall apart tomorrow but until then .......

 

Cheers,

Steve

[KenB]

Hi Steve

 

The system kept reverting to a list of possible boot options, waiting 30 seconds and then booting into Ubuntu. Nothing that I tried would alter that.

You could have changed this in the Boot.ini file on XP ............ :)

 

Key-Code letters and numbers anywhere. That's because, as yet, I haven't been asked to do it.

You will need to activate your installation within 30 days.

Take a look here: - click here

[5teve]

Hi, Ken,

You wrote ...... You could have changed this in the Boot.ini file on XP ...

 

I think you are confusing me with somebody who knows their way around a computer, lol

 

Actually, I missed a bit out of the OP. I had a lot of stuff written out to explain just why the new hard drive was being used but I was dragged away by the Dragon Lady who needed me to walk round ASDA with her. When I got back, this forum refused to let me add more text to my post and then lost it into cyber-space. The short version is that I tried to install Ubuntu as a dual boot system on my laptop but it didn't seem to work as I hoped so I tried to get rid of it but I couldn't do that. Hence the idea to change the hard drive and update the Windows software.

I suppose you guessed that NIOS should have been BIOS, duh!!.

Anyway, cheers for the info about Activating.

Steve.

[KenB]

Hi Steve

 

I think you are confusing me with somebody who knows their way around a computer,

http://s.myniceprofile.com/myspacepic/478/47831.gif

 

Did you manage to activate Win7 ?

 

Your original hard drive - you can still access this if there are files etc on it that you need.

If you don't need anything then you can put it in an enclosure ( very cheap ) and use it as an external drive for storage.

 

Do you need access to it?

[5teve]

Hi, Ken,

I haven't tried to activate the new install of Win 7 on the laptop yet. To be honest, I just haven't had the time. As for needing files off of the old drive, no, I don't think so. Still. it's a good idea to buy a gizmo that will let me use the old hard drive as a bit of extra storage space. BTW, is that gizmo called an "enclosure" and does one connect to the other via USB? ..... ** writes reminder to look on eBay**

Cheers,

Steve.

[KenB]

Hi Steve

 

is that gizmo called an "enclosure" and does one connect to the other via USB?

Yes - a hard drive enclosure or caddy.

 

Couple of things you would need to know:

Laptop hard drives are 2.5 inch - [ desktop drives are 3.5 inch ]

 

Older hard drives are IDE - newer ones are SATA - ( different connections )

take a look here - click here

 

Some examples - click here

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Steve, next time your Mrs drags you round Asda, nip down the ramp to have a look in Maplin's they will have enclosures, and maybe also a docking station or two, no need to actually buy from them unless you see a decent offer, but at least it will give you an idea of what you are looking for. PC World out at Whitebirk will also have enclosures worth at least a price comparison.

You could also call in at Park on Darwen street, they do decent deals and you can park at the back of their shop. Plenty of other places worth a look, the guy on the market comes to mind too. (Comes in handy when we are both in the same town LOL)

 

Nev.

[5teve]

Ooops. I may have dropped a wotsit. I bought this .....

http://tinyurl.com/o9c46r2

Couple of things to bear in mind is that the old drive is SATA and it is less than 10mm tall. Also, like I said before, I'm impatient, lol. Anyway, I think I got the right one, or if not "right", one that will probably do the job.

 

Nev .... You missed one. If you come out of Park and turn left and go up the main street, there's a Mobility shop on the right and just opposite is a small PC shop. He sells loads of cheap desktops and laptops.

BTW ...... whereabouts in Blackburn do you live? I live just down Manxman Rd from the Roman Rd end.

Edited December 8, 2013 by 5teve

[KenB]

Hi Steve

 

Anyway, I think I got the right one,

If your old drive is SATA then yes - you have the right one :)

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Steve, up Preston New Road , near what was the Fox and Grapes.

I do know of that shop and quite a few more, though I only mentioned those I have used for various odds and ends.

In fact the town is full of various computer or other related dealers, not to mention the various second hand shops that sometimes sell laptops and other stuff.

 

Nev.

[5teve]

UPDATE ..... Don't panic, lads, but I'm just about to start the Activation sequence on this 'ere laptop. I've been a bit tied up of late and this is the first chance that I've had to do it. I'll let you know how it goes later.

Cheers,

Steve

[5teve]

Update Mk2 ..... OK, where were we? The activation went smoothly with just a couple of complications. I followed the instructions as laid out for me by the seller in a leaflet kind of thing. The only snags were that the instructions seemed a little bit out of date but a bit of jiggery-pokery and guesswork got it all going. Next problem was understanding what the bloke doing the Automated Telephone Activation speech was saying. It was probably 50/50 with his Americanese and my stupidity but it took a while and 3 phone calls for me to understand that the very first set of Security numbers that I had to tap in, had to be tapped in using the numbers on the telephone's keypad and not tapped in using the numbers on my computer's keyboard. But once I got that. we were up and running.

All done now and my laptop seems happy running Windows 7 sp1

Thanks guys

Steve

[KenB]

Hi Steve

 

had to be tapped in using the numbers on the telephone's keypad and not tapped in using the numbers on my computer's keyboard.

You are not alone :)

First time I did this I used the keyboard too.

 

Thanks guys

You are very welcome.

If you have more problems - you know where we are.

[5teve]

OK, it all seems to be working well apart from some small problem with orientation with the mouse pad. I need to find a way to make it less sensitive or even disable it altogether when typing.

During the normal course of events, I have switches this Acer laptop off maybe 20 times and 20 times I get a message telling me not to switch off untile Windows 7 has finished downloading and installing stuff, Grrrrrr.

[RandyL]

not to switch off untile Windows 7 has finished downloading and installing

That's probably Windows Updates. It's very important to let those install.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Steve if you get back to see this, two things, both from Control Panel, If you wish to use an external USB mouse and not the touch pad, open the control panel and click on "Mouse", in the window that opens click the "Device settings" tab, you should find a button to disable the touch pad in there. Quite a few other settings there as well, depending who made the touch pad device, you may also find a sensitivity control. (Don't disable the pad unless you have a USB mouse plugged in, otherwise you won't be able to control anything or even re-enable it)

 

Second one again in control Panel, click Windows updates, then in the left hand column click on "Change settings", You will see a drop down menu, select "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them"

That way you get a notification there are updates, and also the chance to refuse things like the Bing toolbar.

 

Nev.