Lost Acer E-recovery Management Password

We fix a lot of Acer's in store; and in recent times they have been coming with a new program called the erecovery management system.

This program allows the user to roll back the computer to how it was when it was first purchased effectively doing a format and re-install of the machine. (But contains all the Acer Specific Drivers)

This program is used so that Acer do not have to ship the recovery cd's with the computers.

To access the hidden partition during bootup you need to turn the computer on and press the Alt + F10 Keys.

Then your presented with the password screen; and since most people dont change the password from the default when shipped we can usually use the code "000000" to gain access.

However what happens when a user changes the password when they first got the computer and then cant remember it? Well as it happens the password is stored un-encrypted on the hidden partition on the computer.

1. Connect the Hard drive to another computer that you can successfully boot into.

2. Using the program ParTEDIT32 you can set a different TYPE to the hidden partition " PQSERVICE "

3. Remember the type it was set on originally, and change it to 07.

4. Unplug and then replug the HDD back and the hidden PQSERVICE partition should be visible.

5. In the partition you should be able to locate the file aimdrs.dat, open it with notepad.

6. Now you see the password and password tip and you can edit it if you like.

7. Restore the partition type with ParTEDIT32 and you're done!

8. Reconnect the hard drive back into the Acer

9. Enter the E-Recovery Area at boot (Alt+F10) and enter your freshly discovered password.