Software

[clicker22]

So i just got this pc http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/acer-acer-aspire-amd-athlon-ii-x2-255-computer-ax3400-e4202-a... and it has a lot of bloatware in it i was wondering if it was ok to clean install windows 7 and it wouldn't void the warranty?

[Tanarus]

Since the computer's software isn't covered by warranty anyway, wiping the software and installing your own, clean version of Windows 7 does not affect the warranty.

Be sure to make a set of recovery disks, so you can reinstall the factory default operating system, just in case.

[clicker22]

Yes i made the recovery discs and i made the applications and drivers disc could i down grade this pc to 32bit they have 32bit drivers at acers web page.just want to know my options for this system

[Tanarus]

That shouldn't be a problem, especially if Acer themselves provide the 32-bit drivers. Usually, it's a good idea to download the 32-bit Networking drivers and save them to a USB stick first, so that you'll be able to get online and get the rest of the drivers after the clean install.

[clicker22]

would that be the same for the 64 bit?get the network drivers first?

[clicker22]

this is what it says for the 64bit drivers

This page shows only drivers that are not contained in Windows 7.
	Chipset	NVIDIA	Chipset Driver	15.37	40.9 MB	2009/11/02
	Audio	Realtek	Audio Driver	6.0.1.5898	58.0 MB	2010/05/10
	Modem	Pro-Nets	Modem Driver (USB)	2.2.95	765.8 KB	2009/11/03
	TV Tuner	AverMedia	TV Tuner Driver	2.1.64.36	796.4 KB	2009/11/02
	VGA	ATI	VGA Driver	8.670.0.0000	120.0 MB	2010/05/10
	VGA	NVIDIA	VGA Driver	191.25	129.8 MB	2010/05/13
	Wireless LAN	liteon	Wireless LAN Driver	3.00.02.0000	3.1 MB	2009/11/02
	Wireless LAN	Pro-Nets	Wireless LAN Driver	4.00.02.0000	377.9 KB	2009/11/03
	Wireless LAN	Ralink	Wireless LAN Driver	3.00.09.0000	3.2 MB	2010/05/10

and this is what it says for 32bit

This page shows only drivers that are not contained in Windows 7.
	Chipset	NVIDIA	Chipset Driver	15.37	37.9 MB	2009/11/03
	Audio	Realtek	Audio Driver	6.0.1.5898	58.0 MB	2010/05/10
	Modem	liteon	Modem Driver	2.2.95	720.7 KB	2009/11/03
	Modem	Pro-Nets	Modem Driver (USB)	2.2.95	720.5 KB	2009/11/03
	TV Tuner	AverMedia	TV Tuner Driver	2.1.0.36	684.3 KB	2009/11/02
	VGA	ATI	VGA Driver	8.670.0.0000	120.0 MB	2010/05/10
	VGA	NVIDIA	VGA Driver	191.25	108.7 MB	2010/05/13
	Wireless LAN	liteon	Wireless LAN Driver	3.00.02.0000	398.7 KB	2009/11/03
	Wireless LAN	Pro-Nets	Wireless LAN Driver (USB)	3.00.02.0000	450.6 KB	2009/11/03
	Wireless LAN	Ralink	Wireless LAN Driver	3.00.09.0000	3.2 MB	2010/05/10

now will i need any of the 64bit drivers i think im sticking with the 64bit till i run into a problem with it

[Tanarus]

You won't need the 64-bit drivers if you're planning on installing a 32-bit version of Windows 7, and your 64-bit version of Windows 7 already has the 64-bit drivers installed. In your case, the ethernet driver is included in the nVidia Chipset download -- it'd be a very good idea to save that 32-bit driver before wiping the system and installing a 32-bit version of Windows 7, so you'll be able to download updates and other drivers without any issue.

(If you want to be really thorough, you can download all the 32-bit drivers and save them before installing 32-bit Windows 7, but that's not necessary. As long as you have the ethernet driver installed, you'll be able to download whatever drivers you're missing later.)

[clicker22]

IM going to clean install the 64bit os those drivers both 32 and 64bit are the same except for one that i seen im thinking that you could use the 32bit on the 64bit and viseversa except for one of them one of the wireless lan driver is different that i seen i got all the 64bit drivers downloaded just to be safe won't windows update get me the drivers?

[roparadi]

Windows update may get you drivers, but there's no guarantee it will get all(or even any) of them, also, there's no guarantee that the one received from Windows Update will be the latest version.

Another note, the version numbers for the 32bit and 64bit drivers may be the same, but the drivers are very different. You cannot use a 32bit driver on a 64bit system or vice versa.

[clicker22]

Thanks for that info 2 more questions then im done 1.iv done some searches on the web and im not finding what kind of disc they used i only have windows 7 upgrade discs will that work on a windows 7 oem for a clean install.2.will it activate by online or will i have to call it in?