Well, I woke up this morning with four simple words on my screen: Operating System not found. :helpsmili

I turned the little guy off and back on again and the hard drive starts rattling like something is loose! Horrible, horrible sounds. I already fear the inevitable; a head has broken loose and is just hanging there, tapping against the platter. I should note, I did *not* mis-handle the system when this happened. In fact, I haven't moved it from where it sits for three or four days.

I'm sure the tablet is still under warranty so, after searching a couple hours for a phone number on the Acer website, I finally caved and chose to send an email to Technical Support.

Now, I'm no stranger to computers, so given that dreadful sound, I'm pretty sure my data on this hard drive is gone, never to be seen again. All I can hope for now is to get a new hard drive and start over again.

Now, on to the main dilemma...

So, given that Acer will likely tell me the same thing, should I take my chances that they'll put in a new hard drive and not one that has been refurbished?

If I decide to buy a new hard drive, how can I get Windows Tablet PC Edition 2005 installed on it? If I install Windows XP, then install XP SP2, will the operating system know it's being loaded on a Tablet PC and, therefore, work like a Tablet PC vs. a standard laptop? Or do you *have* to have Windows XP Tablet PC Edition installed on there first before installing SP2?

Before you ask, I don't have my Recovery CDs readily available (they're about 10 hours away in storage). But shouldn't I be able to install XP, then SP2 being as, Microsoft says, SP2 and Tablet PC Edition 2005 are the same?

Thanks for taking the time to read this extremely long message. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Gene

Hi,

I'm so sorry Gene that your Tablet PC hard drive gave up the ghost ...

Yes, assume that Acer will put in anything that they have handy. Check your warranty but I assume it is an equivalent or better drive that they'll put in the system. It is totally their choice. You can always ask for a new one but they have the option.

Now, in terms of installing Windows XP and then SP2 ... you will not get the Tablet PC functions. This is a question I asked Microsoft during the beta period and they clearly wanted to block that type of installation.

<soapbox>: Yeah - they close off sales of Tablet PC Edition to select places and then trap the consumer. Very sad.</soapbox>

The best method is to ask Acer to place the Tablet PC edition onto the hard drive - restored to factory defaults. If they cannot do this for you then ask them to send recovery CDs with your Tablet PC when they return it to you. They may want to charge you for the CDs. HP was really good to me awhile back when I needed recovery CDs - they sent them to me overnight. I suspect Acer can do the same.

Hope this helps. And good luck. Please let us know.

__________________
Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

Please do not send private messages requesting technical support. Place your request in the proper forum and hopefully someone can help you.

Computer Sites
Tablet PC Blogs | Technology Questions | Tablet PC Post | Windows Vista | What Is New

Prelaunch
Insane Politics

Thanks for the reply, LPH.

I took your advice and, after a quick search on Google, found their phone number and called them. The gentleman was very nice and understanding. I don't know why they don't provide that type of service via email, but I digress...

All I had to do was tell him the hard drive was making a "clacking" sound and he immediately said he could ship me another one. He didn't say if it was new or not, but at this point I'm going to have to take my chances.

He was also able to supply me with a new copy of the Recovery CDs for $50. Small price to pay considering my circumstances, plus it will be nice to have an extra set.

I'm very surprised that they didn't ask to have the Tablet shipped to them. I was fearing that the most. Fortunately, the hard drive should be hear tomorrow or Friday, then I ship the broken one to them in a pre-paid box.

Out of all of this, though, I am a little concerned. Luckily my Tablet is still under warranty. If it wasn't (or if this happens again in the future), I'm sure the price of the hard drive would be outrageously expensive...I would assume it would be like taking my used car to the dealership for service; the dealer always charges more.

Which brings up an interesting analogy I just thought of. It sounds like Microsoft is handling the distribution of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition like a health insurance company. You can get help, but you have to go to their "doctor" for it. This almost always ends up costing the "patient" more in the long run.

Anyway, I'll post an update after my hard drive arrives and I'm satisfied with the recovery process.

Lessons learned:
Always keep the Recovery CDs close-by, even if going out-of-town just for a weekend.
Back-up regularly. While I had a back-up of some stuff, it was over two months old.
And, finally, Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time. Doesn't really apply to the Tablet, but good advice none the less.:blink:

Gene