How old is the laptop? It may be covered by warranty.

Have you contacted Acer?

onthelimit1

I had the same problem when I tried the recovery.Almost finished running it and it stopped.

I did manage to run chkdsk a few times and it would stick at the same bit every time and that was with both boxes ticked.

Not sure if you can run chkdsk from a caddy but worth a try if you can.With the one box ticked on chkdsk it would finish running but with the two boxes ticked it stopped at the same spot every time.

Let us know how you get on with running the recovery partition, if it works I could always put it back on my grandaughters laptop.

onthelimit1, when you get a replacement drive fitted, you may want to try here and order the genuine Acer recovery media for your customer's laptop. At least that way you'll get a legitimate version of Windows and it'll install all the necessary drivers and original applications (such as Office Starter 2010 if it was pre-loaded). Unfortunately the link is for the US Acer site but it may work just fine after you enter the laptop's serial number.

The UK Acer operations may also be able to provide discs UK Store contact

Cheaper way to go, as it worked for me, but you end up with a different Windows, is to download the appropriate win 7 iso, 32 or 64-bit for your machine (see lotvic's link). Install as a trial (no key). Buy the upgrade Win 8 on that machine, it will automatically download 32 or 64-bit version. If the machine is 64-bit capable then install Win 7 64-bit (important) first. Select Win 8 to install later and to burn an iso image. The email will give the key. Cost about £29 with VAT. Win 8 is basically 7 with allowances for touch screens and apps. Still 7 on the desktop with a different start.

Worth thinking about.