How do I restore factory settings with no CD or backup?

Hi there,

I need to restore my laptop to default settings with no CD or backup. I had a problem with my CD key beforehand when trying to activate my Windows 7 Home Premium, saying it was invalid - which by the way is preinstalled by Asus (the manufacturer). The CD key on the bottom of my laptop was apparently invalid. I didn't really have the time to phone up Microsoft and sort that out so left it. Also I did not think (stupidly) to back up my files. How do I go about doing this restore? I have some games installed too - Battlefield 3 (I have the disc), Crysis 2 (direct download from EA), Skyrim (disc) and Dead Space (Steam). Will these games be reinstallable - Crysis 2 in particular, as it said something about backing up the files for the game after downoading it from EA (I again didn't sigh). Will they just let me redownload it? Also will the CD keys still work? Also how do I back up the saves for Crysis 2?

Please could someone instruct me on what actions to take to restore to factory settings without losing anything important?

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

When Reinstalling to factory settings, all DATA is deleted.
Make sure you backup your personal DATA.

Check your ASUS manual.

18 Notebook PC User Manual
Recovering Your Notebook PC
Using Recovery Partition
The Recovery Partition quickly restores your Notebook PC’s software to its original working state. Before using the Recovery Partition, copy your data files (such as Outlook PST files) to USB storage devices or to a network drive and make note of any customized configuration settings (such as network settings).
About the Recovery Partition
The Recovery Partition is a reserved space on your hard disk drive used to restore the operating system, drivers, and utilities installed on your Notebook PC at the factory.
IMPORTANT! DO NOT delete the partition named RECOVERY. The Recovery Partition is created at the factory and cannot be restored if deleted. Take your Notebook PC to an authorized ASUS service center if you have problems with the recovery process.
IMPORTANT! Remove the optional secondary hard disk drive before performing system recovery on your Notebook PC. According to Microsoft, you may lose important data because of setting up Windows on the wrong disk drive or formatting the incorrect drive partition.
Using the Recovery Partition:
1. Press [F9] during bootup.
2. Press [Enter] to select Windows Setup [EMS Enabled].
3. Select the language you want to recover and click Next.
4. Read the ASUS Preload Wizard messages and click Next.
5. Select a partition option and click Next. Partition options:
Recover Windows to first partition only.
This option deletes only the first partition and allows you to keep other partitions, and to create a new system partition as drive “C”.
Notebook PC User Manual 19
Recover Windows to entire HD.
This option deletes all partitions from your hard disk drive and creates a new system partition as drive “C”.
Recover Windows to entire HD with two partitions.
This option deletes all partitions from your hard drive and creates two new partitions “C” (60%) and “D” (40%).
6
. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the recovery process.

If you have not kept the installation DVD or a backup and do not have a Recovery Partition on your PC then I think there is no way you can restore the factory settings.

But if you have kept the original Product Key somewhere then perhaps you can download the Installation DVD from the Net, the same as for your original installation and reinstall Windows 7 from it and use your saved Product Key to activate the OS, if need be by phoning Microsoft.

Otherwise please go to the vendor from whom you purchased the PC and request him to give you a copy of the Installation DVD with your Product Key once more. If he is a nice guy he may do it for you for free or for a very small charge.