You commented on this before= my new Acer hard drive crashed, laptop was bought in Germany, i.e. guarantee not valid here.

Repairman replaced HD with some non-genuine Windows. On my crashed HD was a WIndows Home Prem QA. But because a wrong Windows, perhaps a different version like W7 Starter is running as replacement, my Authorization key is being rejected.

To buy a new online windows version would be ok, if......... if wouldn`t say= the whole system must be reset, of which I am , a pure typist, scared stiff off.

TO bring it to Acer in Chiang Mai is not an option, they will sit on it for days.I need my data!

Someone warned of malware, that is a risk I can live with, I would not do a full reset, or whatever the term is.

Question= Can I really not simply download a genuine Windows version and overwrite the fake one?

My data was backed up, programs, add ons not.

If I do nothing, what is the worst that can happen ?

If you have a valid Windows activation key (printed on the base of your laptop) then all you need to do is find a suitable Windows installation CD. If the worst comes to the worst you can buy a restore CD from Acer.

https://store.acer.com/store?Action=DisplayDataValidationServicePage&Locale=en_US&SiteID=acerna (change country if necessary)

Windows install disks (without keys) can also be downloaded from various sites. If you can find someone with a similar Acer then you could copy their restore partition onto your new drive.

You should have made a backup of the restore partition on your Acer for just this eventuality.

You should definitely backup your data before totally erasing your hard drive and then installing Windows afresh. Part of backing up your data should involve downloading all the drivers you will need from the Acer website.

You are a fool to take your chances with whatever spyware or malware may have been installed with the pirated version of Windows by the "repairman".

Who would not listen to BlackPuddingBertha, wonderful nickname. I hear you loud and clearly, thanks for pointing out my foolishness. Will seek trustworthy help and proceed proceed as you said.

Much obliged !!

T.P:

Ready to assist in Phuket without reinstallation if you wish...

Sent from my Desire HD using Thaivisa Connect App

Ready to assist in Phuket without reinstallation if you wish...

Much appreciated but I moved on from Nai Harn to Chiang Mai, thanks anyhow!

http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=3275751&cid=42100973