I've had this neat touch-screen tablet-notebook for 2 years now. I love it. At least I did until a couple weeks ago.
I made a mistake - I tried to install Linux Ubuntu. It never took hold. It never successfully launched from the SSD.
I wanted to go back to the factory image, but I had made a big mistake - I formatted all the partitions, including the factory pre-installed Windows 8 boot partition that had all the drivers.
I was told that I would have to order a Boot Media from Acer. That I did. 45 dollars for something that doesn't work. When I try to boot from this media, I get the Acer logo, then two dots show up to begin the donut animation, and it just stays frozen like that. The same thing happened when I created my own Windows Boot USB for free with an old 4gb thumb drive.
Acer customer service told me the hardware must be fried. I don't think the machine is fried. It can boot Ubuntu from the USB, I can use it to browse, transfer files, etc. It runs Ubuntu just fine as the trial version. It doesn't boot Ubuntu from the regular solid state drive. Thus, it can't save work. Just works as a temporary workstation.
I also tried to boot the Linux Based Chromium OS. It launches the installation program. It requires an internet connection to proceed and don't have that right now, however, I'm not particularly keen on installing Chromium. Ideally, I want to have a Windows / Ubuntu Dual Boot option when I turn this on.
I'm already out $45 for a boot media and considering scrapping this and buying a newer refurbished Chromebook version.
I wouldn't even know where to scrap this hardware, I don't want to toss it. It seems to work fine with Ubuntu, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, but I can't figure out what's keeping it from booting Windows.
Any suggestions?
Many thanks in advance.
-Al